Ready to ride

The bike has been checked out, the safety flag is in place and I'm ready to go to Florida. Tom and I picked up our rental truck on Monday and drove into New York City. We stayed overnight with Peter, another alumnus from the '09 ride, and Jack (who flew in from Israel), loaded luggage and four bikes and drove to Portland yesterday. Last night we greeted some of the other members of this little adventure and had reunions with a few others from the '09 trip. I have to do a little dance for everyone whose last memory of me is a dazed body lying on the street waiting for the helicopter to take me to the hospital but meeting both old and new riders is the order of business for today. Tonight we will have our orientation meeting and get our route cue sheets and then have a group dinner before getting a last good night's sleep before tomorrow's departure. Today is gorgeous: sun is out, warm weather, perfect for biking. Tomorrow, on the other hand, is predicted to be rainy, gray and overcast most of the day - yuk, what a way to start. Will make sure the chain is oiled, the rain jacket is out and somehow I'm sure we will make it. Our day will be about 70 miles and we are heading to Portsmouth, New Hampshire....more on the the fun tomorrow. And a quick P.S. - we seem to have finally concluded the long process of selling the house. We got word yesterday that the contract has gone through attorney review and we have a firm deal - alleluia!