LIVESTRONG question

[pooks]

So Sunday (Oct 8) is our Livestrong ride and since we'll be the last ones to take off (my husband hasn't trained and isn't comfortable trying for 40, so we're sticking to 10, sigh) here's my question.

They say opening ceremonies are at 7 a.m., and get there early to find a place to park, etc. Our ride doesn't start until 9:30.

Is it worth it to get there that early and wait for the ride, or would we be better served to not rush to make the ceremony?

[NJBikeGal]

Our ride started at a local college, and though there was a gracious amount of parking, it still filled up awfully quickly. We got there very early as one of our friends was doing support for the ride, but a lot of other people that we know missed the start because they were trying to get to the site. I don't think you need to be there at 6:00 like we were , but I would suggest not cutting it too close if you are planning to park at the site. Hope that helps!

[velogirl]

Pooks, this ride is a big deal for you, right? Then you should get there for the ceremoney. It'll probably be very moving. I assume you've raised money for this event and you should be proud of that. Once the ceremony is over, kick back, relax, have a beverage, and ride out when you're ready.

Congratulations!

[NJBikeGal]

Pooks, this ride is a big deal for you, right? Then you should get there for the ceremoney. It'll probably be very moving. I assume you've raised money for this event and you should be proud of that. Once the ceremony is over, kick back, relax, have a beverage, and ride out when you're ready.

Congratulations!

Right on, Velogirl....I was going to add something like this, too...

I was originally signed up to do the ride because a good friend of mine didn't want to do it alone. I must admit that the time before the race was really inspiring. It was pretty impressive to see and listen to all of the survivors and battlers of cancer as they prepared to ride their bikes, just like me. I have told everyone that knew I was doing the ride just how incredible it was to meet and speak to so many courageous people. My attitude really changed from someone who was doing the ride to support a friend to someone who was doing the ride to support as many people as I could. Sorry to get all mushy...but it's true!!!

[Kitsune06]

Yeah, you'll want to be there for the opening. The 40ers don't head out much before the 10-ers... and the opening goes on awhile. As it was in Portland, I tried to time it so I was there just in time for the opening and found myself sitting in the exit off I-5 for about 20 minutes because the entire exit (and streets leading up, etc) had become a parking lot. I'd never seen so many vans/trucks/cars with bikes in/on them in my life all heading to the same place. Amazing. Yeah, get there a little early. You'll be glad you did. Good luck, Pooks! Remember: there are no small rides, just small riders.

[pooks]

I'm definitely not a small rider. LOL

Okay, we'll head down early I'm sure. Because that's just the Way We Are. (Or at least the way He is, always up early anyway.)