It's Almost Here...Ok, so a little time has passed since the last update. Unfortunately, things got busy and there were a few distractions. But, don't think I haven't been training! The 300 Mile Wish-A-Mile bike ride is this weekend. A lot has happened this summer and I hope to catch you up, but I also want to remind you of what's most important. As you read up on my adventure, I hope you will consider making a donation to Make-A-Wish Michigan so that they can help fulfill the wishes of critically ill children. Fun At the MarketThe Downhill Riders, our team for the Wish-A-Mile, had a great day at the South Lyon Farmers Market. Some wonderful friends and supporters of ours donated a bike, a basket of Carhartt swag, and a Detroit Tigers basket. By raffling off these items, and exploiting the charm of our kids, we managed to raise well over $800 in donations during our time at the market. I'm extremely grateful to Tim Davids of the South Lyon Farmers and Artisans Market for letting us have a booth at the market! Back in the SaddlePerhaps the hardest part of this whole thing for me has been actually making the time to get on the bike. Or at least get on it and GO somewhere outdoors. During the winter months, I spent quite a bit of time on the trainer in the basement. Unfortunately, the 'winter months' in Michigan lasted up until about mid-June. Of course, that was when we left for summer vacation. Fear not, I took a bike on vacation and I was able to add the Grand Canyon's south rim to my list of training rides. Otherwise, every time I thought I was going to start getting more serious about riding, it seemed like something else came up. Luckily, this last month has finally provided more riding opportunities. Even The Wife made it a priority for me to get out and ride. Despite the fact that she was laid up and supposed to be resting while sick, she insisted I go out and squeeze a ride in. Perhaps that speaks more to my abilities as a nurse that she would rather I just leave her home alone. Whatever. The rides themselves always proved interesting. I've gotten pretty skilled at being able to leave the house under blue skies and then managing to find myself pedaling through a rain storm. I've also learned that the hours-long pedaling doesn't get my pulse up nearly as much as riding along some of these country roads out here. On each ride, I learn just how close a driver can come to a guy in neon green spandex without actually hitting him. SpandexOh yeah, did I mention the spandex? I swore when I started this adventure that I would not be wearing the stuff. I am not competing in the Tour de France. I am not setting Olympic records. There is no need for skin-tight clothing on a grown man. Well... Then I went for a few rides. As much as I wanted to be able to wear normal shorts and t-shirts, I was convinced that there might just be something a little more comfortable. After trying a set of bike shorts, I was convinced. I am now the not-so-proud owner of multiple spandex bike outfits. Let me tell you, nothing highlights the flaws of a Dad-Bod quite like cycling gear. It's actually not so bad as long as I am riding. It's when I have to stop and get off the bike. Or, God forbid, talk to a neighbor or somebody I know in these outfits... I am ashamed. But very comfortable. Only One Thing Left to doAt this point, there is only one thing left for us to do. Yes, us. This is a team effort. I beg, you donate. I am begging you, please. Make-A-Wish Michigan helps critically ill children by granting wishes for them. This requires people like you and me to donate in order to bring these kids a little joy. Please, please, please think about donating just a little bit to Make-A-Wish through my fundraising page. I hit my initial goal of $1,200, and would LOVE to be able to get that to $2,500, by the end of the weekend. On Friday, myself and the rest of the Downhill RIders will join hundreds of other cyclists on a three-day, 300-mile bike ride from Traverse City to Marshall, Michigan. The goal is simply to raise money for kids'wishes. Just click the big red button below... Thank you!
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