Well, I thought of maybe not putting a post in today! I would love to write about how we traveled lovely country roads in the beautiful sunshine over gentle rolling hills. Everyone would sit back and say AHHHH I am so envious of that Mary I wish I were on that ride with her. The reality is………..when I woke up it was dry and I was so excited. There is something about riding for hours in the driving rain that really reeks havoc on your mental well being. I packed away the layers of rain gear and said this is going to be a great day! The SAG crew reported the night before that it would be a much easier day……… with no highways and really nice rolling hills. They did report that the route did have spots without bike lanes. Oh yeah and there were spots that did have drop offs.
As we gathered outside the hotel within 10 minutes the clouds rolled in and the rain came a fallin! I went back in and put all the layers on again! The rolling hills were about at a 90 degree angle.
the group! um I am not sure I want to go!
kyle bryant trying to entice out into the pouring rain!
the morning gathering
At one point I thought I must have been hallucinating because I looked ahead and there was this vision of three very steep hills one after another. I could not imagine how I would get up there. But as I got up to the top there was this great sense of accomplishments. AND we did have a great 10 miles when there was no rain at all, so when I got to the lunch break I packed up some of my rain gear and gave it to a crew member. As we headed out the landscape was beautiful, we traveled along a river and there were horse farms after horse farms. But after about another 10 miles the sky opened up and the rain just pelted us for the next ten miles. There was absolutely no visibility and the logging trucks came one after another. At one point there was a drop off of about 20 feet, the bike lane was MAYBE a foot wide and the tractor trailers were coming within feet of us. The really scary part is that they are always tandem, so the first part goes by and you have to brace yourself for the second part while hoping to God that you don’t veer off even a little tiny bit. Paul would yell from behind me “JUST KEEP GOING……………….”. HOLY COW!
OFF WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO
But I did it……today we did 48 miles, pouring rain, steep inclines, winding roads, I fell once, Amy fell once -IN THE ROAD. But I saved her life by running into the road to stop the traffic. She is fine! Paul sang about 10 country western songs from his ipod and we all had fun! And by the way Paul has one of the transmitters on his bike so we are always the green dot on the Ride Ataxia GPS tracking page. That would be the last group NOT the first group. I will admit I am tired tonight. The thought of more rain tomorrow is disgusting to me. So we are not praying enough for sunny weather because tomorrow does not look any better! Tomorrow’s ride is 68 miles and quite honestly today people were dropping like flies so if I can’t make it past 50 I am taking a free ride card!
Thanks for all the incredible words of encouragement…….IT’S KEEPING ME GOING. Along with the fact that during the ride I will occaisionally hear the phone ring with Sam and Ally’s rings. I kind of feel like there are there with me when that happens.
Hope all is well back in Connecticut and the sun is out! I am getting a little bit homesick!
Until tomorrow…………
In Peace and Love
Always,
Meir
10:57 pm on March 17th, 2009
You are like the little Mary that could!
2:22 am on March 18th, 2009
Ok Mary…you’ve made it half way thru! Holy Crap! I cant even imagine the trucks, the rain, teeny weeny bike lanes not to mention the hills…
But, the good news is…you are almost done…hell just think…in 48 hours you’ll be celebrating your little butt off with all your new friends!
Keep going Mary, I am soooooo proud of you…can you see my ear-to-ear grin?
Love ya, Suzy
I pray for dry weather every day…EVERYONE needs to pray for dry weather everyday! come on guys…help me out! LOL
2:38 am on March 18th, 2009
Meir, your perserverence has helped you meet the challenge. whats a little rain?
i only hope my little prayers every hour at 40 past have helped you on your journey.
mom would be….i mean is so proud of you and wishes you had that kind of spunk….dad is wondering why a stationery bike in the living room wouldn’t do, but in his own way, he sees himself in you your commitment.
my heart is there with you. keep it going
love, marcia
4:26 am on March 18th, 2009
Geez Meir,
you can’t catch a break can you?! But soon… you will look back at this and laugh! And just think, future bike rides will be cake compared to this one!
We love you and we’re with you every step (or pedal) of the way!
Kati, Marcie, James, and me
4:51 am on March 18th, 2009
mary
pouring rain/big trucks and you are still plowing through— I keep checking the weather for you and there is a silver lining coming— hope they are not lying— keep going you are half way—- you are always in our thoughts and prayers—-
love janie
4:52 am on March 18th, 2009
A heart, and I miss you. Snow is almost over and Spring is coming
Love Matthew
Good morning Okie Connecticut is not the same without you! Keep up the pedal power. Ask Paul if he could sing Put a Little Mud on the TIres by Brad Pasley. Have a good day, we will pray for some sunshine.
Love you! Love Me, Jack, Matthew and Blue
4:53 am on March 18th, 2009
Meir,
Hope despite the rain and big trucks you are holding on to what an amazing accomplishment this is!! I am so in awe of the challenge and your courage.
I am praying for the sunshine.
Linda
5:00 am on March 18th, 2009
Wow,
The length we go through for our children! You are amazing! It is one thing to say, oh I would do anything for my children, but it is another thing to get up off the couch and actually do it. Way to go Mary, reading your blog, and feeling your pain lessened mine a bit as we prepare for the surgery. No matter what happens now you are an inspiration to us! norm
5:23 am on March 18th, 2009
OMG, you are AMAZING! You are setting the bar quite high for the rest of us. Keep biking, we’ll keep praying for you, for sun, for less gravel, for wider bike lanes and for smaller drop offs!
love you JoAnn
5:49 am on March 18th, 2009
Mary, you are such a trooper. I am totally impressed and in awe of your consistent accomplishments. Clearly, your guardian angel worked overtime yesterday to keep you safe.
You are in my prayers all day.
maybe today will be your EASY day even though nothing is ever easy in your life. Good luck.
6:19 am on March 18th, 2009
Good Morning Mary,
It sounds like you have had to face some fears you did not even know you had. Keep up the amazing effort.
You are half way there! Remember what you always tell me – Slow and steady…
Get back on that bike!
7:06 am on March 18th, 2009
Mary,
You are true inspiration I wish I were there with you all. I have met Amy in Los Angeles she is a real sweetheart. Best wishes to you All we are praying for better weather.
God Bless You
Natalie (Texas)
Drake FA – 13
7:58 am on March 18th, 2009
Hi Mama! We miss you! keep up the good work!! Remember S.C. in a few days!! =) Love you!
8:02 am on March 18th, 2009
Hi Meir,
I got really nervous reading your blog, I could feel the tractor trailer trucks whooshing by you and you just keep going. Keep up the good work and I am praying for some sunshine.
Love, Aunt Jean
9:17 am on March 18th, 2009
Mary
I am glad you posted. Its not the amount of mileage posted that matters, what matters is you are doing something really great for a cause that is even greater. If someone wants there money back I will be happy to make up the difference although I really donte believe any one will. Take your girls advice its not a race, its a journey that will always have its up and downs most more difficult than any hill on a bike route in Oregon. FINISH STRONG
10:05 am on March 18th, 2009
Meir, I am totally impressed, and will be ever motivated by your incredible effort, heart and grit! Just remember, ” the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”!, “and ends with blisters, sore throats, and calluses”, and a lifetime of memories! Keep the faith and always remember, ” this too shall pass” ( especially tandem logging trucks) ! we all love you!!!
10:35 am on March 18th, 2009
Oh my goodness! Pelting rain, tractor trailer trucks, and teeny weeny bike lanes, and 90-degree inclines called “rolling hills”!! You are doing AMAZING! This is truly a life-changing experience. I always thought you were strong, but you are going to come back a Hercules! We’re all sending you love and energy. So glad you are accompanied by good new friends who love you as much as we do. And I’m praying for some sunshine to come your way–and some flat, serene bike lanes out in the countryside.
love,
sandi
3:02 pm on March 18th, 2009
Great job Meir, with you in the pack the sun is always shining…keep it up…
wishing you guys better weather
Rich
3:40 pm on March 18th, 2009
Mary – I am proud of you … we knew you could do it!! I am nervous reading about your journey and my heart is pounding. I give you a lot of credit … we knew you had it in you … I am praying and crossing all my toes, arms and legs for sunny and dry roads!
You are almost there
)
Lauren
4:11 pm on March 18th, 2009
Love your honesty! It is so funny to read Kyle’s “life is great/bring on the rain!” attitude and then to read your blog and Paul’s blog! Almost there! You will never regret this … assuming you don’t get hit by an 18-wheeler tomorrow!
5:34 pm on March 18th, 2009
Great going! And some of the other folks have said in their posts, it’s about the journey. But 68 miles tommorrow. Holly Cow! Take the car ride, save your body. No shame in that. We’re all sending positive energy that maybe the sun will finally shine.
8:37 pm on March 18th, 2009
You should be so proud of yourself. I keep thinking of the almost 8000 kids w/FA. It bothers me the fact that they call it an “orphan disease”
You work so hard and diligently…doing everything in your power…so that people see what these kids go through. They have so much value, and so much love to offer this world. Mary you are spreading that love around…you, the girls…the hearts you are giving to people. Awe inspiring. We are thinking of you every step of the way.
Love is the only way…Tracy, Jim & Nick
3:33 am on March 19th, 2009
Wow, I may have too dust my trek off and start pedaling again!
Mac you inspire alot of people!
Mike
4:56 am on March 21st, 2009
CONGATULATIONS MARY!!!
We are all so proud of you & you should be so proud of yourself! You have accomplished SO MUCH for you & your beautiful girls, and have made so many people aware of the necessity to be kind to one another!
God Bless!!
Alli