Alright, off I go then.

Did I mention that I made my fundraising goal sometime late Monday night? I did. Thanks to help from many sources.

I have managed, I hope, to organize my stuff for the ride so that I won't have to fuss about it too much. They recommended 1-gallon ziploc bags for this purpose. I have each day's riding clothes in a separate bag, my extra clif bars and Gu in a bag, my toothbrush and sunblock and soap and pills in a bag.... I think this is the most organized packing I've ever done.

I got a brief lecture by the meek and kindly gentleman at the bike shop today about how it's really better to get a tune up about 100 miles or so before a big event, rather than within 24 hours of a big event. I had it coming though.

I'll try to do some phone-in posts from the road.