Getting close to the DATE!

 With two short weeks before we leave Golden, Colorado, so many doubts are entering my mind. 

Are we prepared? 

• Are we prepared? 
• What could go wrong? 
• What could go right? 
• Can we average 75 miles a day?
• Where are the stops?
• Can we really accomplish this? 

You should do some 40-plus mile preparation rides.  They say that after 40 miles, you will notice issues arising on longer rides.  We have both completed several rides over 40 miles.

My son has been battling a bad cold and has concerns about his long-term rideability. Realistically, we initially routed the trip to be 880 miles.  I will travel the route on May 10, and I expect that number to grow, depending on the road conditions.  If we only have 880 miles, we need to average 58 miles a day at a minimum to make it back on time to help Leslie Bourland move.  Ideally, 12 days at 70 miles a day would be nice.  Both seem possible.  If we get some favorable winds and average 80 miles a day, we could make it in 11 days.  The 80 miles a day with an entire day off in the middle is ideal.  

I have been reading and preparing for common physical ailments that could become issues without warning.  I have read physical ailments will be exacerbated as days pass on the road. These include but are not limited to:

• Shortness of breath and chest tightness are concerns. I have had issues with Asthma being triggered by allergens or polluted air, which can get progressively worse after multiple days of exposure. This is supposed to be the worst allergy in spring in decades. I will bring two inhalers and Sudafed. Either way, some nighttime allergy medicine will help me sleep and help me restore each night.
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in my fingers or wrists is inevitable. We have to remember to move our hands around more on the bike.  I will have two pairs of padded bike gloves.
• Chafing on the seat is my most significant worry. Just a little chafing in one day can develop into rubbed-through skin, ingrown hairs, and saddle sores (deep, painful cysts) over multiple days. I purchased an athletic lubricant to treat the chafing areas.  
• Knee pain can mean two things: my seat is at the wrong height (probably too low), and I am pedaling too much in high gear. I need to adjust my seat so that my knees are not bent more than a 90-degree angle and use my lower (easier) gears. Pedaling easier strokes is better for my knees and heart.
• Back pain. Really excellent, in-shape cyclists develop their abdominal muscles to support their torsos rather than just their back muscles. I have been doing sit-ups and crunches, which will help.
• Sunburn. I have SP 50 sunscreen and sunglasses. I do not have a helmet with a visor, but I may consider an upgrade.
• Nausea, headache, and thirst are signs I may be dehydrated. If I noticed (perhaps even with delight at the convenience) that I did not have to stop to relieve myself for the last three hours, I probably have not had enough fluids. I need to drink lots of water. I need to remember dehydration can also make me painfully constipated. 

There is so much worry, and I understand that worry is a useless emotion. Confidence will make the whole trip easier. I need to remember that and enjoy the ride.

There is so much to worry about and so little to worry about. What a position to be in before an epic adventure! I hope I pack better than they did in the picture below.