DAY ONE LOS ANGELES TO RIVERSIDE CALIFORNIA

Day one is now behind us; only 45 to go.  Today we pedaled 85 miles much of it into a strong head wind.  With some short SAG stops it took us about 6 hours to complete the distance.

Tomorrow is another day of similar length but we're heading into the desert where temperatures are expected to be around 110 degrees.  We'll be wearing our hydration packs (thanks Condy) and special white leg and arm coolers.  Our water bottles will be filled with water and frozen tonight.  The hydration packs will be used to hydrate us and our water bottles will be used to cool our bodies.

I've heard the first week is the toughest.  It will be nice to get over the mountains and through the desert,

On to day two.

Best Regards,

Michael & Michelle

We've had a great time in Santa Monica meeting up with family and friends prior to the start of the Tour.

Mimi and Ted were kind enough to pick us up at the airport and shuttle us to dinner and our hotel.  They gave us some goodies that will come in handy on the ride; cooling towels like the one I used in the Boston Marathon 3 years ago when temperatures reached 90 degrees.  We wish you guys could meet us in Boston!

Dr. Mike's (and our) friend Colin Morawski (pictured with Michelle and me) met us for a drink and dinner (at Blue plate Taco).  It was great to catch up and hear about his impressive sub 12 hour Ironman run in New Zealand.  I decided Colin should quit his job and become a professional; I guarantee he would win his age group. 

Our friends Sue and Kim that we met on the BackRoad Crotia trip.  They announced their new position as our surrogate daughters.  Now we need to find them husbands and get them off the payroll.  Interested, unattached gentlemen should contact me to arrange a date with these beauties.
It was great catching up and thinking about our next bike trip.

Off shortly to meet the Tour family.  We start pedaling early tomorrow morning!

Best,

Michael and Michelle

ARRIVED IN LOS ANGELES

 The weather in LA is beautiful but temperatures in the Valley are forecast to be in the 100's this weekend.

We finally get to meet our biking family on Saturday.  Sunday we dip our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean and start heading East.  We can't wait to get the show on the road.

Best,

Michael & Michelle

Pictures from Manhattan Beach, where we dipped our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean and headed East

May 3 / 4


Just three more days until we depart for Los Angeles.  We dip our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean one week from today and start pedaling East. We're excited and anxious; ready to get the trip started.

We had a send-off party tonight.  We were honored to have our family and dear friends join us for a drink before we depart.  We so appreciate their kind words of support and encouragement.

We feel so fortunate to have found Carlos Restrepo of PODIUM CYCLING.  Carlos has pushed us, encouraged us and strengthened us.  Carlos and our friend and trainer Tom Holland of TEAM HOLLAND have us well prepared for this incredible challenge.  We wish you guys could join us!

Thank you to all who have supported our trip with donations to Team Continuum / Future 5 and those that have supported us in so many other ways.

Michelle and Michael


https://www.teamcontinuum.net/support_the_cause/fundrasing_page/86936

www.futurefive.org/donate-now/ 

BACK FROM BOSTON

The day was a little warmer than I would have liked for a long run.  I was in the 3rd wave, 4th corral with a start time of 11:00 am.  The first half felt good and went according to plan, having me cross the 13.1 mile half way marker in 1 hour 50 minutes.  The mid-day heat and some mild cramping made for a slower second half bringing me across the finish line in 3 hours 54 minutes, a time good enough to re-qualify me for the 2015 Boston Marathon.

Thursday April 17th

The Cross Country Ride is now less than 4 weeks away.  We wish the weather would warm up so more of our training could be done outside.

This Saturday we leave for Boston.  Michael is running his 3rd consecutive Boston Marathon; the first run in 2012 had temperatures in the 90's and then the bombings last year.  Monday will be an emotional day, a day of remembrance and a day we wouldn't miss for anything.

Back from Boston on Tuesday and then just over 2 weeks until we depart for Los Angeles.
It's getting real!

Best,

Michael & Michelle

Headed out on a 30 mile bike ride.