My bluff just got called!

[DeniseGoldberg]

Hi MomOnBike!
You can read about our adventures here if it would help in your planning and/or inspiration!

Emily -

I just popped over to your bike tour site and noticed the picture at the Fly by Night Cookie Company. That place absolutely rocks - wish where was one on every tour. Actually, every day of every tour would be nice! My only regret is that I only took a picture of the sign - just like you. I wish I had a photo of the cookie spread!
--- Denise

[CorsairMac]

You Go Girl!! yeah it's 800 miles give or take. Yeah you'll be alone - but a) you're never really alone even when it feels like it! and b) all the things everyone else said. If you don't make it the whole way - ya don't! In the overall scheme of things it's the never doing it that hurts more. (did that make sense? ) I think one of the things I've seen here more than anywhere else and it's why I come back - none of us seem to be the type of people that are afraid to try anything at least once. We might hem and haw around a bit, maybe need some support from our fellow women, but the fact that we even "mentioned" it here means we've already Thought about it!....heck we've even pretty much decided to Do it!!.......we're just making sure it was an alright decision and that we're not alone!! I don't ever want to be one of those people that dies thinking "gee I wish I'da done........."! and to have a DH that is so supportive......how lucky is that! Gives me hope that maybe yet I'll find the right one for me!! so once again: You Go Girl!! and don't you Dare leave us out......we'll want all the details!

[fasteryet]

I'm with the "go for it" group, which seems to be everybody but your brother. Not having any experience, except for a few overnight rides as a teenager, I can't offer much advice. Some sort of conditioning schedule would be advised, as well as trying out anything new -panniers, rain gear, bike shorts, whatever, before you go. Don't forget detailed maps, and maybe get any LBS numbers along the route, in case you have more than just a flat.
Too bad she wasn't moving to NJ, I'd love to ride part of the way with you!

[spazzdog]

OK TE-er's...

Who lives between daughter in Minneapolis and MomOnaBike in Nebraska?

Who knows anyone who does (and that rides). Lets help build a little route with occasional company on the road (and maybe a home cooked meal) for Mom.

spazz

[nuthatch]

Aww, that's a great idea, Spazz! I'm a little too far east in Chicagoland, but if MomonBike wanted to take a detour, she's welcome here!

[snowtulip]

Mom On Bike,
What a great opportunity, what I find amazing is that you have taken this task and turned it into an adventure (must remember to apply this thought process to my daily life). I've heard that satellite phones are fairly cheap to rent and it might give you peace of mind being able to call someone if you get in a pinch. Enjoy!

[MomOnBike]

Wow! What a response! Thanks, guys.

The rack buying expedition was a success. I put off buying clothes 'cause it was such a nice day to (ahem) put in some training miles.

DH doesn't think that he's being supportive - he just sees himself as bowing to the inevitable. Maybe so, but he bows so gracefully.

He also pointed out a small error in my math. The trip is actually 400 miles, not 800 - unless I take scenic detours through NJ and Chicago. I was (not) thinking 8 hrs drive time = 800 miles. Oops. Oh well, that whittles the trip down nicely.

When the time comes, I'll post on the Crazyguy web site for all to see. Elder Daughter has agreed to be my editor/spell checker. (SadieKate, she went to Carleton and covered herself in honors and glory. I work at not exercising all my maternal bragging rights.)

Corsair, I have advised siblings and offspring and total strangers that one is much more apt to regret the things one doesn't do rather than the things one does. (There are exceptions, however.) I really don't want to turn into one of those bitter old women who complain constantly, and who's only conversation is their health, the health of people I've never met, and turd-by-turd accounts of their dog's constipation. I've met 'em. Not pretty.

Nope, I want to bore my descendents with yet another account of coming down Suicide Hill and suddenly realizing my brakes were bad - or something like that.

[Dogmama]

"The length of the trip is a bit ambitious, and that worries me. I'm riding 10 to 30 miles daily right now - not really enough, I know. I guess I'll have to ride more for a month. "

Hmmm, this is almost April & you're talking about May, right? This is a long way to go with a small amount of training. I did a 500 mile ride (7 days) and I trained for six months. Plus, I had been riding for several years before that. I was completely prepared for everything except for the 4-6 hours in a saddle every day -- owweee!

Can you/would you bail if it got to be too much?