For some reason I'm having a hard time shaking my St. Louis wake up time. It's 6:30 here in Seattle, and even though I know I need more rest, I just can't sleep. There are final errands to run, and then at 2 pm our orientation begins. There is a lot to tell us about this ride before it begins tomorrow morning. This time tomorrow I'll be packing up, suiting up, and heading off on this incredible journey.
For the curious, I will share a map of our route tomorrow that includes climbing data. We'll be climbing 4,137 vertical feet to the top of Snoqualmie Pass and then through the Cascades to Easton, WA for our first camp.
http://www.mapmyride.com/s/routes/view/road-cycling-map/washington/seattle/38152508
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Yesterday was a flurry of activity: fetching and assembling my bike, riding to another shop to buy my handlebar bag and rain jacket, running to get a pillow, a Big Ride barbecue. With this in mind, the big city has been a bit overwhelming. I wish I'd given myself more time to do these things. With that in mind I'm really looking forward to being on the open road in the middle of nowhere. The stresses of rushing about will dissipate with every pedal stroke away from the traffic and noise.
We stayed up late connecting with one another-- adjusting bikes, setting up blogs, sharing our life stories, trading fundraising secrets. I can tell that we are all going to be great friends by the end of this ride.