Day 7 Miami to Joplin, MO 38 miles TOTAL 450 MILES!!!

This is it! 38 miles, I'm really tired but this has been such a great adventure.  The ride this morning was nice but they did sneak in a few really steep hills.  One had a grade of 10% but I made it up without walking.  Our rest stop was beside an old country cemetary.  Donna pretended she was dead.

We decided to take go a mile off route and get our pictures made at the place where three states meet.  That was a really neat feeling.  I can't believe we have ridden our bikes approx 450 miles.  Probably a little more if you count all the riding between hotels and camp site.

Randy and Austn were waiting at the finish line to cheer us on.  It was really good to see the end and to know we did it.  Now...time to start planning the next adventure.....

Day 6 Pryor to Miami 65 miles

I crashed on my bike this morning on the way from the hotel to camp! Scared me to death. I looked down and a HUGE bug, actually a creature of some kind, had landed on my arm. It wouldn't get off and I lost my balance in my frantic gestures to try and shoo it off. I went down on the street. This was about 4:30a.m. so it was dark out. Thank goodness there was not a car behind me. I grabbed the bike and my garmin and mirror that flew off and moved to the side of the road. Donna and I were both really shook up. The garmin was fine but the mirror had broke. We rode back to camp and then I decided my first case of "road rash" was to be considered a cool thing!

Great ride today just really hot. Mostly flat 65 miles from pryor to Miami. Donna is having trouble with leg cramps.  She eats pickles like crazy and drinks the juice because it helps.  She was very motivated to get out of the heat and decided to ride fast and hard to get to town.  I decided to take a slower approach.

As we neared Vinita I heard a guy in front of me talking about a diner that was featured on Diners Drive Ins and Dives. I decided to follow him and check it out. A couple of ladies were also doing the same thing and they invited me to sit with them. They were school teachers in their fifties from Illinois and each year they pick a different state to bike through. What a cool idea!

Tonight we have a dinner and banquet in our host city of Miami.  We also have a nice hotel room at a Holiday Inn Express - woohoo!!  Alice, Donna, and I plan to swim and visit the hot tub.

Day 5 Tahlequah to Pryor 58 miles

4:30a.m.
Tahlequah is beautiful but time to move on. It's 4:30.....hit snooze this time so running behind.  I feel sore for the first time on the trip.  Donna and I have to ride 3 miles in dark back to campground. I hope we can see the symbols on the ground with our headlights that direct us. Today should be easier compared to yesterday. My legs are sore for the first time on this trip. I wish I liked coffee cuz I could use some!

10:00a.m.

This is the best day EVER!! I rode with Alice, Keith, and Vicky for about an hour. They were such a nice group and I loved talking to them. We went through some beautiful shaded areas and it was downhill too which is always nice.

We rolled into Salina and got the best welcome of any town so far.  I was really surprised at their energy and how they rolled out the red carpet.  I had the best Indian Taco I have ever had....well make that the only one I ever had because I didn't know I liked them!  Then we went outside and the Salina school band played for us!  I think this was the moment that the magnitude of what I am doing hit me. I thought I might cry.  It was overwhelming but in a good way. 

Day 4 Muldrow to Tahlequah 64 miles

4:00 a.m.
I just read and re read all the encouraging texts, FB comments, and blog comments from all my friends and family. You have no idea how much that has helped me. Well that and this hotel!! Ha ha  I had the best night sleep ever!! It's almost 4:00am and I'm ready to tackle what they describe as the most difficult day of freewhweel. We ride 65 miles from Muldrow to Talequah. They said we climb the whole way.

There is one dangerous hill in which a police car will be stationed as a warning. It has a sharp turn and some gravel plus it's had alot of rain. I'm wearing my Allegiance jersey today since I did so good Monday on the climbs when I wore it!
Life is a highway..I want to ride it.....(singing this in my head today)

6:00a.m.

OH. MY. GOSH.  Hills are bad.  Only 1 hour and 10 miles of hills.  I am not sure I can do this.  This picture doesn't even begin to show how bad it really is.  I had to walk part way up 2 hills.

4:00p.m.
Today was so hard. I actually bawled at the end. Then donna got tickled at me crying so the. I was laughing and crying at the same time. They felt sorry for us and got a shuttle to take us and the bikes to our resort holiday inn express so we didn't have to ride 3 more miles from the finish.
I had no idea I could push my body that hard. I started having mental issues like "why am I doing this" and stuff like that. It was seriously rough. One hill was so bad the police sat at the top with lights on to warn us off how steep the down hill was. It was a mile long with sharp turns. I might have worn out my brake pads on that one.
Oh one fun down hill had a 25 mph speed sign and I was going 40mph!! That was funny.

Well I'm rambling. Going to walk to catfish cabin cuz I'm not getting on the bike till tomorrow!

Day 3 continued

9:00a.m.

Having a blast!!!!!!!! The rain cleared out by 6:00 a.m. It is a beautiful day. Incredible scenery. 35 miles down and 34 more to go. Lots of horn honking at my princess/ballerina/fairy costume.  I have been told I look like an Ostrich from behind! LOL Donna looks awesome as Dorothy. Got to eat my sandwich now and then ride. Woooooo hooooooooo!!!!!!!

3:00 p.m.

Today was so awesome! Muldrow is a really neat town and they rolled out the welcome wagon for us. I had the best hamburger ever. And then Donna and I went to the hotel! Woo hoo!!!

Now keep in mind this hotel is nothing I would ever stay in before but right now it's heaven even with the dead flies and roach ontbe floor. I got a real shower and feel like a new woman! It's amazing how the $60 for the hotel transformed my trip.

Donna and I are getting ready to ride back over to camp ground to hang with everyone, eat, and attend the 7:00 meeting. Then back to our ice cold room to sleep in real beds!! If we are lucky they will have unstopped the bathtub so it will drain and I can have another shower!

Day 3 Heavener to Muldrow 65 miles

4:30 a.m.
It's pouring out there. I'm all dressed and ready to roll as soon as lightening stops. I slept some finally!! Yea!!! Think I got 4 hours.  The school cafeteria was air conditioned.  Donna and I brought our inflatable mattresses into the cafeteria. However, didn't realize every time you move the slightest it makes a awful squeaking noise. I really ticked the guy off beside me. I opened my eyes a couple of times during the night when I rolled over and he was glaring at me. Whoops!


I've learned something about myself. I'm not an outdoor camping person. Is it cheating if we get a hotel room in Muldrow? I just can't take it anymore!  I can bike but I can't camp in heat. If that makes me a wimp then so be it! I need sleep!!  My husband is the best.  He texted me that he reserved a hotel in Muldrow for us. 

Today is crazy day so I am wearing a tutu and princess hat. Donna is dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  Wonder if she can click her heels together and get us home faster?

I am highly motivated to make it to Muldrow because the budget inn resort and spa awaits me!!!

Day 2 Clayton to Heavener 65 miles

4:30a.m.
They said last night that this freewheel is the hardest course they have ever done. I sure picked the year to try it. Today and Wednesday are supposed to be the most difficult. So I guess if I can handle today then I am set for the week. I didn't sleep at all last night. It was so hot. Low was 79 and that was 3:00am. I did rest though and hopefully some caffeine will perk me up.

It is so beautiful in this part of the state. I feel like I am in Arkansas or Missouri. Well I can hear all the tent zippers so time to get ready for the bike. I love the biking part of this trip!!

3:00 p.m.
I went up and down the winding staircase mountain range today and it was sooo super awesome!! I had a blast. I was even passing some of the boys going up! Woo hoo! I felt like lance Armstrong flying down as it curved around.

It was a hard ride but good. We saw so many beautiful sites. One cool site was some boys swinging on a rope into a river. Looked just like the old mountain dew commercial! I wore my allegiance credit union jersey since today is flag day.
I was very worried about my niece Jessica who was trapped in her car with rising water in OKC. She made it out okay but I was really worried for everyone and prayed a lot.

8:00 p.m.

The storm is coming our way.  Donna and I have decided to camp out in the cafeteria.

Day 1 Hugo to Clayton 56 miles

Today was a nice easy ride. We waded out in the creek/river.  This is my sister Donna below wading out.   We had the most awesome downhill. I did 40+ mph!!! It was so freaking cool!!! Loved the biking.

We saw a dead bobcat on side of the road. Some biker propped him up in a funny pose.

Made it to new campsite by 12:30. Then there was the shower truck experience. Shower truck...outdoor rigged up showers. Everyone thought it was so nice. I've obviously led a very pampered life. Not much modesty. Had to shower in my bike clothes in order to wash them. The clothes are almost dry now and I feel his huge sense of accomplishment! Lol

Donna and I went to the Choctaw nation museum and watched them dance. The museum was air conditioned!!!! Ahhhhh I miss air conditioning. It looks like it could rain. I'm going to be brave. At least the rain might make it cooler.


Tomorrow is 65 miles and going to Heavener. Oh they have bands playing music out here and one is playing Christian music. I really hope I cool off enough to sleep. I plan to drug myself with Benedryl tonight.

Day 0 Texas Border to Hugo 10 miles

Hugo Oklahoma. Only rode 10 miles on what they call day 0.  My sister Donna and I rode from Texas border to Hugo. 1,000 other crazy people here. 

It was so hot. Still is and it is 4:00am right now. I didn't know birds chirpped all night long. I think I slept a little. Did I mention it was hot? How many more days?

Will this get easier? I'm ready to bike. That I love. Camping I'm not so sure about. My sister says our tents are big and nice. I have no reference point. It's hot.

I skipped the shower last night. It was hot in there and looked so nasty. I cleaned up in the sink a little. Ewww. Today they should have the shower truck for us and I hope and pray that is better.

Less than 24 hours

I'm packed.  I finally got everything into 2 duffel bags.  I had to go buy a bigger duffel bag though! The sense of dread I was feeling the past coupel of days is starting to lift and I'm feeling some excitement about the adventure.  Its still so far outside my comfort zone.  Everyone thinks these things come easy for me - they don't.  It would be so much easier to just make an excuse and not do it.  Deep inside I'm still that 350 lb girl that would rather eat and watch TV.  But...I know the reward will be so worth it.  The greater the challenge the greater the victory!!

I had a great day at work yesterday.  I work with the most amazing people.  I was able to get all the pressing work wrapped up so I won't be worried about my desk while I am gone.  I had lots of well wishes from my work buddies.  Maybe next year I can talk some of them into doing this with me!

Today I went in for my 2 year check up with Dr. Broussard at WeightWise.  He hasn't seen me in a year and he was impressed with my weight loss.  He said I have lost 83% of my excess weight and that is above average for a weight loss surgery patient.  I told him next time he sees me I will have lost 100% because I am just an above average kind of person! ha ha!!

Tonight Randy is taking me out on a date! We haven't done that in forever.  He is taking me to Micky Mantles - ooooh la la!!  Tomorrow I have a date with my bike at the Texas border.  Ready or not...here I come!

The Route

Getting nervous!

That little dot on that big big hill is me.  I hope all the hill training has prepared me because ready or not I am headed to Hugo OK on Saturday to begin this crazy adventure!

7 days until FreeWheel

I can't believe the time is almost here.  My  heart starts pounding each time I think about it. I have started a packing staging area on my kitchen table.  Did I mention that I have never camped out before?  This should be an all around interesting experience for me!! Just please Lord let there be a store when I need one so I don't have to pee in the bushes!

Friday I rode HWY 9 from Norman to Chickasha with 2 guys that I barely know.  Talk about outside my comfort zone.  They had been on the group training ride so I knew they were not creeps.  I was able to keep up but there were so many long hills.  It was tough.  One hill lasted for a mile...an entire mile!!  It was during this point when I looked over to the side and saw a herd of weird looking cows.  It took me a few minutes to realize they were buffalo!!  Then when I was flying down this one hill a huge butterfly hit my chest and went down my shirt.  I was trying to ride with one hand at 24 mph and fish the butterfly out of my shirt with the other.  I'm sure that looked interested to the traffic on the highway!

Saturday (yesterday) I did 65 miles!  I left from my front door and rode to the start of the training ride!  We went from Yukon to Calumet.  I keep saying this but this time really was the roughest ride yet.  We went about 5 miles at one stretch straight into 25 mph wind.  The temps got up to 100 and my sister and I had major heat exhaustion right at the end.  I thought she was going to lay down on the side of the road in a patch of poison ivy.  I was coaching her to keep going and then suddenly I started seeing spots and had to sit down.  It was bad!  We learned a big lesson....start EARLY!  This ride started at 9:00 and that was way too late for this kind of heat.  We will try and leave about 6:00/6:30 on FW so we avoid this.  I had salt crystals all over me when I was done from sweating out salt.  ewwwwww.

Well, ready or not in 7 days I will be starting my big adventure.  Well....I suppose the adventure already started!  I lost a couple more pounds and saw a new number on the scales - 166!  I can't believe I have lost 184 lbs!

FW Training Ride 48.8 miles in the WIND by randel@cox.net at Garmin Connect - Details

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/34175797

3 weeks until FreeWheel!!!

I did 48.8 miles in the wind today.  Wind and Hills, OMG.  It was rough, really rough, but I feel so pumped that I did it.  I really think I can handle this bike trip now....at least the biking part.

Someone mentioned about having to squat in the cornfield during FW.  I about fell off my bike.  It never occurred to me that a convenience store restroom wouldn't always be around if you needed one.  I have never used anything but a potty when I have to pee.  I've apparently led a sheltered life.  ewwww....

4 Weeks

My ride Saturday did wonders for me!  It was AWESOME!  We rode from Lake Stanley Draper to Lake Thunderbird and back.  I met more people and actually kept up with the group.  We were supposed to ride 45 miles but actually did 48 because --yes--we took a wrong turn AGAIN!  Even with my new fancy GPS I still got lost.  We had to cut down a street that ended up being gravel for a mile but it was all part of the adventure so its all good.

It was very scenic and a couple of the hills had me breathing so bad the guy near me thought I was having a heart attack.  My bike started wobbling because I was going so slow and the guy started chanting "I think I can, I think I can" at me! LOL

So, my mojo or whatever you call it is back!  No more self doubt, I can do this.  I was very very tired and my butt hurting after the 48 miles but I still have 4 more weeks so I feel more confident that I will build up stronger before the big ride.

Best part - I burned 2,500 calories so it made up for my "sins" from Friday and let me eat good on Saturday.  Tomorrow I am actually doing 50 miles from Britton/Hefner to Arcadia and back.  I can't believe I am taking a day off from work to ride FIFTY miles!  Whoa!  Life is good.

Self Doubt

What am I thinking?  Who do I think I am that I can bike 70 miles a day with a ton of hills?  I'm not sure.  Some days I think I am still the 350 lb girl and other times I think I am some 110 lb athlete.  But, I'm neither.  I am a 169 lb middle aged woman.

Tomorrow I am supposed to ride 45 miles from Lake Stanley Draper to Norman and back.  It is filled with major hills.  My sister can't go so I will be going it alone with other strangers that show up for this training ride.  What if I get lost again or what if I can't keep up and fall behind.  What if we have a thunder storm?  I am really scared of lightening.  It is supposed to rain all day with a chance of storms.

Somehow I have to muster up the confidence to do this ride.  I have to dig down deep and make it up those hills to prove to myself that I can do this.  Why?  I'm really not sure but I have a need to conquer this.  Maybe I have some sort of sick need for approval.  Maybe life is tough sometimes and doing this kind of stuff is like running away temporarily and the pain numbs me in some weird way.

5 weeks

I am starting to get a bit nervous. I am starting to question my decision to ride 438 miles on a bike.  I am doing training rides on Saturday and this last one kicked my butt.  I rode 33 miles, was supposed to ride 40 but I'll get to that in a minute.  The ride was "hill training" which meant one freaking hill after the next.  I thought I was going to die. 

I was following this girl in front of me who was following my sister who was following a random guy that was not part of our group so we ended up 2 miles off the route.  In order to catch up with the group we ended up shaving 7 miles off the entire ride.  Honestly, I don't think I had the 7 miles left in me so it was probably a good thing.  This coming Saturday we ride 45 miles of hills. YIKES!  I am really worried.