Bellingham, WA: Final Prep

The trip leaders held the organizational meeting for the ride this afternoon. There are now three trip leaders and 31 riders. The vast majority of people know other riders from previous Womantours offerings so it's an experienced group. This being the inaugural Pacific Coast ride, the entire group is really looking forward to it. Because it is a large group there are logistical challenges, particularly for the chef who creates masterpieces from her small quarters.

We will have a send-off dinner this evening, then early to bed for 6 am breakfast with a ride start of about 7:30.

Some may wonder just what DOES Tony do with his time while I'm away on these jaunts. Here you have it from the horse's mouth:  "I to soldier gamely on in Sarasota, monitoring our pool salinity, picking the odd low-hanging tangelo, and cooking my famous black beans and rice five nights a week.  Carol to link up with her women's group and cycle down the West Coast.  They take a ferry across Puget Sound, cycle through redwood forests, stop in San Francisco, then head along Big Sur, pass Monterey, tour San Simeon, check out Santa Barbara, and end in Ventura.  Lord that sounds tiring, doesn't it?  Glad I got the better of Carol again on the coin flip." For those already shedding a tear or two for the poor chap, Florida's soaring conditions should be perking up at about the time of his return as well as decent cycling weather.