SEATTLE DAY 0

On Friday, as I looked out the airplane window at the world below, I thought to myself "I am going to bike across this vast land!" Wow. I just sat there, shaking my head. Excitement abounds. But I also think I may be a little crazy :) Or as one friend stated "a cycl-opath"...

Seattle is absolutely beautiful - the outdoors - the greenery, water, mountains, abundance of cyclists, runners, kayakers... all this despite what my fellow rider Noel states as the "june gloom".

I have so enjoyed meeting my fellow riders over the past 3 days. After orientation today and meeting former BIG RIDERS, I am just ready to start cycling. After so much preparation and anticipation, the day is almost here. We head out at 7:45 PST tomorrow (Monday June 21st). The first ride is 91 miles from Seattle to Easton - over Snoqualmie Pass (3022 ft) in the Cascade Mountains. I'm sure it will be a great introduction (err, initiation) to the BIG RIDE. (MN hills are nothing compared to this climb.) Come what may!