Ride Ride Ride, Hitchin' A Ride

In September, Jason is going on an amazing bike adventure sans me. I must admit to being a little put out by this, a little jealous, and not because I can't go...not exactly. More because I can't go to MO-AB-FREAKIN'-UTAH on this little bike ride. If anyone recalls the post when we first planned a trip to Arizona where I mentioned my desert fascination , here's a recap. It all started from my first reading of Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey. The book is about Abbey's time as a park ranger in Arches National Park conveniently located in the coolest looking desert and outdoor space in the US - Moab, Utah. Since then I have longed to go out into the desert and camp, write, bike, and hike. We did do some of these things on our trip to AZ, and not knowing if and when I'd make it Utah, seeing AZ desert would suffice. Little did I know that a brush with Moab would come so close, but leave me aside.

Enough with the mellow drama because this post ain't about poor me and how I can't go on a great outdoor trip with someone I love. Nooooooo! This post is about what that event is a catalyst for - OTHER BIKE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ME! Jason, needing to get in shape to ride about 35 miles of mtn bike trails a day, got the great idea of looking into other long rides he could do before to train and in which I can participate (though they will be a far cry from Moab, Utah). So far we have found two opportunities and here's where you, my blog readers and friends, can join the picture as well.


OPT #1 - Cape Cod Ride for the Cure - MS Ride June 28, 29th

We have signed up as The Rusty Chains to ride this 150 mile biking fund-raiser. On the 28th we leave from Quincy MA and bike our little asses off to Provincetown, RI where we get a ferry and food back to Boston. There were a few options to split up the miles and we will be doing 75 miles each day. There were also housing options such as glorious accommodations in local school gymnasiums, but we opted for tenting it on our own outside. Cheaper and we won't have to listen to anyone else snore. This will be my first long ride and we are both in the process of finding appropriate new bikes for the different undertakings of each ride. Training will include us riding to work every possible day when each of us deems the weather to our liking (Jason has already begun, but it is too damn cold for me still), going on looooong rides on week-ends, which two of our local friends are going to do with us since they are planning to ride across the ENTIRE state of MA this summer, and weights and other aerobic exercises too.

Here's your part - to do the MS Ride and raise money, each rider has a goal of $500 to reach. My team, myself, and Jason all have a web page for collecting donations, tracking progress, and updating people on what we are doing. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit my page and give to your hearts content. I'm blogging there too as a way to chronicle the whole process of my first long ride and my efforts at fund-raising, so if nothing else, it is one more place you can read more of my writing. Honestly, even a $1 is one step toward my goal and the team's goal, so do not feel embarassed or like you don't have enough to give - every little contribution counts. And if you're even more daring, we're looking for team mates!

OPT #2 - Biking in and around Nova Scotia

When we went to Arizona, we stayed with Jason's Aunt and Uncle, who also conveniently have a house in St. John's, New Brunswick Canada. They extended an invitation to us to come up in the summer to visit as we all thoroughly enjoyed our time together in AZ. We definitely want to go and are already planning to see Nova Scotia while we're there because it's actually easier for us to leave from Portland, ME on the CAT to get to Nova Scotia than it is to get to New Brunswick. We'll be taking a scenic bike tour of the area that we'll plan ourselves from the Lonely Planet guide Jason ordered last night from Amazon.

Planning something so active as a 150 mile bike ride really sets a goal for me to be in good shape from now until then. I'm trying to stay on a twice or three times a week swim schedule I've sort of started, but coordinating with Jason on getting to the YMCA is sometimes difficult. I go with him as a guest and pay $5. If I go about eight times a month that adds up to be about $40 per month, which is cheaper than any membership option they offer. Seeing also that I do not want to use any other programs or facilities, my going with Jason is the best fit. Sometimes Jason goes at lunch, or leaves from Somerville to go, so it is just tricky to get there together when it is not the week-end. So far I've gone for two weeks and I really enjoy swimming! It feels like such a complete body work out unlike a lot of other exercise options. For real results and staying power, only time will tell so check in at the Bike Blog to see if I really hold true. I'll probably mention updates a few times here too.


There you have it blog world. Exciting events are in the future and I hope in your own small way, you will be a part of them! Otherwise, I'm lost in the fund-raising department without your aide!