Night before a before new experience. Feels like I am going to a new job at a new company! Or it’s the first day of school! It’s excitement of what will unfold and the stress of not knowing. It’s a bike ride – you get your bike kit on, you check the weather, you get on the bike and pedal. So simple but why is it so ehhh? That human element of other people, following the norms you don’t know and still that imposter syndrome. At some point, you finally get to the bike and getting going. Going is the what you want – at your pace with your feel of the bike and the road. Yet it is tomorrow…..aggbhhhhhh!

One of our fellow riders and his wife from Portland hosted a dinner for a large group of us. It was marvelous; meeting everyone who all seem to have the same feelings. There is confidence in knowing others are going through the same feelings. It is also completely funny of how we each have done the same thing of fretting over and over of things that might happen. Packing and repacking, getting new stuff and realizing you over packed. Fearing that the training hasn’t been enough but going with the flow of it is what it is. Groups form of common likes and descriptions of exploration of other rides. Some will be speedy and climb strong but alas the destinations will be the same. We are all going to the same place. I want to enjoy the ride with my tempo and take it in. I know the hotel is always going to be there…but you don’t know for sure in our minds. Ya, it’s mental until you get on the bike. The bike and the ride will make it feel better….geez, counting the hours now!