Tracey tells about Sunday's ride!

Wow, what a site! On my way to work this morning at 5:00 AM I saw a full moon in the southwest, a storm rolling and bubbling in from the northwest, and the sun trying to push its first rays of the day through from the east. A little reminder of the pure power of nature and how things can change in an instant.

Sunday was a great day for a ride. Sunny, light wind from the NW and a group of six riders all experienced and seasoned in the ways of the road. At this stage of the America by Bike event we cannot let Tom have any kind of incident. His body will simply not take it. In the pack were Tom, Donnie, James, Sey, Jeanette, and myself.

We started out headed NW traveling through Cashion and then on to Kingfisher where we took a break at the Love's Country Store. We all consumed some energy food and drink (no pizza or Cherry Coke) before hitting the road again. After being on the road for a short mile our energized leader, Tom, discovered he had forgotten to go to the bathroom so off the road again to McDonald's for another short break. Brought back memories of traveling to grandma's house in a car with young kids in the back seat. When are we going to get there? I have to go to the bathroom! Yada, yada, yada!

On the road again we headed for Okarche with the wind at our backs. James immediately jumped out front to push the pace and Sey quickly responded by pulling us all up to the front where James was consumed by the peleton and spit out the back. Once in Okarche we turned back east and spun past the world famous Eischen's Chicken House as fast as possible. The smell of greasy fried chicken and beer may have been too much temptation for some of us to handle. Once that obstacle was overcome then it was on to Rosies's Convenience Store in Deer Creek where we paused to take care of James' case of HOT foot. Back on the road again with just six miles to go.

What is it about the last mile with the last hill that makes cyclists moan and groan? You would think we were climbing Pikes' Peak or something. Thanks to Jeanette who took the lead and pulled us that entire last mile or we may still be sitting at Western and Covell Rds. Back to the house where my wonderful wife, Lynn, had shown up and made post ride stawberry smoothies and burgers. What a ride! 75 miles. Great weather and great friends. What more could you ask for on a Sunday afternoon?