I did my first charity ride last September, a two day ride that was a total of 150 miles. I set my goals at doing as many miles as I could each day an then being okay with myself when I got into the sag truck. Saturday I did 47 miles, more than I had ever done on the road; Sunday I did 51 (30 of those after I got my hand closed in a truck door!). I still think that it was a successful ride, because I did what I could.

I was one of the last three people in at the end of Sunday, and I have to tell you it was worth being last. At the end point the crew was there cheering on riders as they arrived, and each new rider joined the cheering crowd. By the time I got there there were over 200 people cheering for me...I was in tears, so rarely do we get that kind of support in our lives.

So, ride your ride, do what you can, enjoy it, be okay with yourself if you get to the point that you have had enough and know that we are all cheering for you when you finish.

Barbara