Thanks Maillotpois (AKA Countdown to the Death Ride)

:eek: You rock, girl! You'll do great :D Proud of ya. Words of wisdom from DH: "If you are going to do it, you might as well do all 5!" Boys :p

I'm so looking forward to hearing the ride reports!! This ride sounds so epic. I'll be thinking of y'all on the big hills while I ride the San Jose LiveStrong. Knowing the mountains you're riding over will help make little ole Metcalfe that much easier. *sending great riding vibes to all*

Have a great time. It's a long ride, but it's beautiful. And it's a real accomplishment.

Thanks for the well-wishes, everyone! I'm looking forward to the ride -- we rode Ebbetts and Carson passes during our altitude camp and they were gorgeous. I'm sure Monitor will be beautiful as well.

At this point, there's about 2 and a half more days until the ride. Today I sorted out my riding clothes for Friday's tune-up ride as well as Saturday's event ride. We have a lovely purple Team In Training event jersey that we get to wear on Saturday; one of the coaches designed the logo, which makes it even more special. There will be such a wide variety of temperatures on event day that it's kind of exciting planning your clothing. I'm going with a Craft base layer, and an additional wool base layer for the morning and the descents. Wool socks -- they're fantastic for all the different temps and any precipitation that we may encounter. Shorts & knee warmers, although I may wimp out and use full on leg warmers instead. Rain jacket, in case we get a thunderstorm, hail, or snow (or I just get plain cold on the descents.) And, to top it all off, I'm wearing my Amici Veloci buff.

My bike is rarin' to go. I had a bike fit a couple of Sunday's ago that has made all the difference. I also finally got my custom crankset, so my lower back shouldn't bug me like it has for the majority of training rides. The other day I put new tires & tubes on it, and cleaned the smoodge off the rims and brake pads.

Tomorrow I'll finish packing, then Friday we drive up there. To borrow a phrase from Jobob, Yee Freakin' Haw!!

The views of the high Sierra's are awaiting you. Rode from Bear Valley to the top of Ebbetts last weekend for 4500 ft. in 36 miles. Many were getting ready for the death ride, up Ebbetts and Pacific Grade. Weather was perfect and should be for you too. Have a great ride!

Wahoo! I'm headed up tomorrow. LET'S DO THIS THANG!!

-- gnat! (jersey and shorts picked, breakfast packed, heart a-thumpin!)