Today started off on a mixed note. I spent most of yesterday re-packing my B.O.B. trailer for our last training ride today. I don’t know where all that stuff came from but my B.O.B. was way over-stuffed. The center of gravity was too high and when Bob and I took off I felt shaky on the bike for the first time.

We were a little late to join the group that we ride with so we just rode south. I was still feeling a little shaky and when we got to Floral City, and my back tire looked a little soft. Duh, over-packed and a soft tire makes for an unstable ride.

My B.O.B. is bigger than your B.O.B. - not a good thing

Bob continued south while I changed my tire. I put on the new tire and tire liner I have been carrying for our trip. When Bob returned we went to breakfast at Shamrock.

When we came out of Shamrock’s there was a small bag of goodies with a card stuck on my B.O.B. A gift from Cindy and Regis for our trip. Kind of made my whole day.

Goody Bag Surprise

Bob then told me he had a gift from Mary & Rick and Mari & Jerry for me, what a nice group of people to think of us in that way; really means a lot. Thank you guys and girls!

Thoughtful gifts for cyclists from Mary & Rick, Mari & Jerry, and Regis & Cindy

Bob’s brother in Rhode Island also sent us very bright bike shirts for our ride. Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Can You "See Me? Wear" Jerseys

Cheryl (my Beautiful Bride ) has been working hard on getting our web site up for the trip and it looks great, I am one lucky guy.

Oh! One other gift I received: my sister did some needle-point on a jacket for me for the ride. I drew-up the design and she did a fantastic job of making it something I can be proud to wear.

Joann, Me and the great jacket logo she embroidered for me

After the ride Bob helped me re-pack my stuff and I feel much more confident my B.O.B. won’t be over-loaded now. So a day that started off a little shaky ended up pretty good.