Bountiful Help with Trip Preparations

Hi Friends,

I start ride this Friday, June 24.
Makes me happy to know I will ride with single focus,
Getting to destination for that day.

Right now
All the tag ends ... needing to be complete or to weave together,
Chaotic in my gut.

Still, so much help has come my way out of my asking.
Asking = continued learning for me.

Weeks ago, sore left thumb made
Shifting too painful to use multiple gears.
First stop for creative thinking: Rob Bruce,
Son and former bike mechanic who thinks with imagination.

From that start, and help of local bike folks,
I have new system that shifts only with right hand.
Usually used on mountain bikes,
It is saving my thumb, so that I smile.

We took bike to Wisconsin
Two stops for "show and tell",
With Rob admiring gearing.
Second stop, little grandsons
Loving how cranking pedal
Made tires spin.

Help came from "Terry bike" customer service, Lisa,
Telling me of sun protective knickers,
To save me as I ride intense Wyoming sunshine.

Via phone, Mankato bike store man detailed route for me to take
Through town connecting one off-road trail to the next.

In Sioux City, phoning that bike store got the "how to" for
Crossing Missouri River on Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Now will be possible, not dauntingly overwhelming.

New raincoat arrived minutes before sheets of rain.
Wearing for immediate test,
I stayed dry.

Knickers arrived on day of mid ninety degrees and high humidity,
Providing test for that new item.
Very good; Lisa was right.

These 5 steps help me, again and again:
Making commitment,
Sticking with it,
Getting help,
Finding humor,
Working with others...
So obvious to me as I prepare.

Whew!

Sending Hugs to each of you,
Next time I'll be writing from the road!

Lin