Des Plaines River Trail: 2. Tim: 0

After watching my beautiful God-daughter (Mollie-Pop) dance down the aisle at her May Crowning Ceremony this morning, I was excited to hit up a new bike path:  the Des Plaines River Trail - a 56 mile bike trail in the western suburbs.

Alas, a few miles in and 2 falls into a flooded and muddy trail (including that beauty on my thigh), I turned around, mounted the bike on the car, and headed back to Lakeview.

Another 30 miles along LSD in the books.  The lake breeze (particularly while heading north) and fog still lingering amongst the blue skies was pretty awesome. 

Bike ships out to SF in 2 weeks.   Classes start this week.   The training window is rapidly closing.  There's still much to do...and get...and even more miles to train and ride.  Here's where the anxiety sets in.  

Shout out to my former NY roommate, Bruston, for talking me off the proverbial ledge this week.

This may come off wrong, but - like graduate school - I'm looking forward to this ride being over.  It's not to diminish the generous donations and overwhelming support I've received.  Words cannot express my gratitude with all of that.  While it's been a great deal of work (and costly, I might add), I'm anxious to see how I get handle everything and get through it all - mostly to decide if this is something I would do again.  Many people I know that have done this particular ride are return riders.  While I have no doubts this ride will be fulfilling - I lived in CA for 7 years...I'll never see my former home from a better perspective -- I do have much to look forward to after this ride, especially entering this new life chapter.  

Thank G*d I have a doctor's appointment on Monday.  Maybe he has some recommendations for some new anti-anxiety meds.  :-)  It's been a while since those were needed...

Thanks again for taking this journey with me.  I spoke with an old friend today via phone who said something very poignant:  just remember everyone (donors and supporters, alike) to get you thru the tough times during the ride.   (Thanks Jodi!)

Cycling onward.