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60th Reunion Ride: Day 14

Kimball, NE to Cheyenne, WY: 60 miles

July 7, 2016

I have completed my ride to Cheyenne !!!



Much cooler temps were delight.
Winds varying during day.

Portion of ride on small Wyo road,
Completely new to me,
Had steep climbs.

Just an intro to
Big Mountain climbs of
"Tour de Wyo" ride later in July.

Total mileage this ride was 660 miles,
Much less than I had remembered.
Must have taken short cuts,
Back roads,
New efficient route to get here.

I am embarrassed!
To have spoken of 800 or 900 miles,
Not the journey I made.
Embarrassing mistake.

Perhaps ride needs new title,
"660 to 60th."

Arriving in Cheyenne is where my
Long, long time childhood friend,
Niki McGlathery,
Has greeted me for years.
Niki died in March.

My Cheyenne classmate, Niki,
Was smart, spunky, pretty, stubborn, flexible,
Played mean game of ping pong,
Danced with heart and rhythm,
Shot swishing free throws,
Determined commitment to recycling.

Demonstrated determined commitment
In many areas.

For years, we shared Thanksgiving.
Niki driving Mpls -> Madison, WI, fetch children. (6 hr. drive)
Madison -> Northfield, MN (5 hour drive)
in time for Thanksgiving dinner
With Bruce family.
All in her VW Beetle, through snow drifts!

Tradition for years,
Always snowed.
Children outside playing,
"Fox and Geese."

I miss Niki,
Noticing especially today.

Thanks to each of you for reading along.

Next week will give time to
Adjust to altitude,
Do training rides on high roads.

Planning to send reports of
Next ride. (starts July 16th)
Please stay tuned.

Hugs to each,
and thank you.
Lin

My limerick today:

I've now reached the end of this ride,
Out here where the prairies are wide.
The scenery was varied.
My SAG, whom I married,
Provided his cheering and pride!

"I did it!" Wyoming State Capitol Building in Cheyenne.

A long tall drink of water!

Riding shoulder-less small highway, by wheat field.

Pine Bluffs rest stop, off Hwy 80, busy place.

Rest Stop featured lovely ladies' room doorβ€” (Indian Paintbrush is the WY state flower.)

Irrigation flume on the 1910 Historic Register

Cheyenne, Wyoming!

Lin Bruce
 

Lin McLaughlin Bruce uses stories of her cross-country bicycle adventures post age 60 to inspire and encourage people to reach beyond perceived limitations. In her words, "It's never too late to say 'yes' to bigger things!"

Patsy - July 8, 2016

So glad I could ride along with you in spirit.

Thank you for sharing so well, including the sad moment of your happy memories of friend Niki. You live so well. In brave adventurous bike rides; in true friendship.

Love,
Pat sy

    Lin Bruce - July 8, 2016

    Thank you for being there, Patsy, following and cheering us on! Friendship is something I value beyond measure — including yours.

sue hart - July 8, 2016

Dear Lin,

I am so very happy for you. A magnificent achievement!!! “660 to 60th” : sounds fantastic ****

I was with you the whole way.

Much Love,
Sue

    Lin Bruce - July 8, 2016

    Thank you and love back to you, Sue… we’ve been “riding partners” in new ways from a distance. I treasure our connection.

Karen - July 8, 2016

You are amazing!! Congratulations, my determined sister!! Love to you & your SAG!!

Peggy Prowe - July 8, 2016

Congratulations, Lin. What an achievement! It’s so good that Bob enjoys these gambits, too. Have a good time at your reunion.

    Lin Bruce - July 8, 2016

    Yes, it is good — I couldn’t have done this ride this way without him! Grateful for mutual support. Thanks for good wishes, hope all goes well with your achievements as well!

Myrna Johnson - July 8, 2016

Hoorray and love Myrna

Sandra Holland - July 8, 2016

Congratulations! πŸ‘ 😎🚡

Margit - July 8, 2016

Congratulations, Lin, on a ride well ridden with lots of beautiful landscapes all around you!

Karin Smith - July 8, 2016

Congratulations!!! So glad you made it safely. Best to you and Bob. Looking forward to the next ride. See you 2 on the 22nd and23rd. Love, Karin

Irene - July 8, 2016

Congratulations!! You are my hero!

Susan Pedersen - July 8, 2016

Nothing but awe and admiration! You & Bob are an inspiration to teamwork! Thanks for sharing.

    Lin Bruce - July 8, 2016

    Thank you, Susan! Sharing requires someone to share with — thanks for being on that end!

Beverly Collier - July 8, 2016

WOW!! Congratulations! You got to Cheyenne much sooner than I anticipated!! What a ride! Loved every day getting your blog! You are my HEROINE!!
Will you be staying in Cheyenne, or “on the road again”??
Love and admiration to you,
Bev in The Old Pueblo

    Lin Bruce - July 8, 2016

    We’re staying in Centennial, at Bob’s parents’ cabin. (Well, it’s the Bruce family cabin now, but that’s its heritage.) We’ll be here until the Tour de Wyoming, then off to do some visiting of families and friends before our 60th reunion. As ever, appreciating your cheering!

Scott Bruce - July 8, 2016

Whoooo-Hooooo!!! I knew you could, i knew you could… πŸ™‚
congratulations!

Barb - July 9, 2016

Indeed! You did it again!! Over and over you have done it and have shown us how it can be done with grit, determination, preparation, humor, and one pedal at a time. Congratulations, Lin. Hugs to both you and Bob.

Carolyn - July 9, 2016

Brava, congratulations and many cheers! Of course you could do it, and you did it, even the hardest days! It’s time, at least mentally, to change your email from yesithinkican to yesiknowican. Hugs, Carolyn

    Lin Bruce - July 10, 2016

    I’m smiling… I like that “yesiknowican!” love to you, Carolyn!

Katie Lemley - July 9, 2016

Lin,
We are all so proud of you!
You are an inspiration — thinking of you every day and reading every post.
You go girl!!
xoxoKatie (from Pacific Coast and Wisconsin!)

    Lin Bruce - July 10, 2016

    Hello Katie! Having journeyed those difficult miles of the Pacific Coast with me, your words are very meaningful. Hope all is well with you!

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