Extra hour of daylight is just what the doctor ordered...training continues

It has been over a month since my last blog post about the naming of Ruby Jean (my bike). The ride is now only 50 days away and much has happened in the last 30 days.
Ruby Jean has had a full overhaul and is now better than new. The only thing more that I will do prior to the ride is switch chain , tires and brake pads the week before I leave.

I also have a new pair of bike shoes that I have been breaking in. I had a full bike / shoe / cleat fit done at Bike Gallery. It was a 2 hour professional fit that will help make sure that Ruby and I are "insync", a millimeter here and a slight angle change there can make all the difference between failure and success.

Putting together the facebook page to tie in with the blog has been interesting. My plan is to do the daily updates during the ride to the blog and to have it linked from the facebook page. This social media connection of the ride has been very interesting, much to learn and very little time to learn it.

Daylight savings time is great, I am now able to get some good rides in, if I start at 3:30 I can ride until 7:00. This is crunch time with the training, I have to get both miles & "seat time" if I hope to ride for 7 consecutive weeks. We live at the entrance to the Columbia River Gorge so in 5 minutes I'm into fantastic riding along side rivers & waterfalls with great climbs that can keep you busy for days.

So, The ride is getting closer and closer and my excitement (or fear) is building.
Until next time....Dream BIG, Jeff

"The Bike" has a name, and the answer is....

Allow me to introduce you to Ruby Jean.

I spent more time thinking about a name for my bicycle than any semi-sane person should.

I thought of some funny names, macho names, fast names, spiritual names and downright raunchy names and I had many suggestions that covered the all of the previous categories but when this name crossed my mind it was game over.

Ruby Jean is a blended name of 2 wonderful women who have had a very positive impact on my life. My Grandmothers name was Ruby, she passed away many years ago. Grandma was a very sweet lady who unfortunately was bedridden with arthritis for as long as I could remember. When I was young I would visit her and sit by her bed. We would tell each other stories and she was always kind enough to laugh at my stupid jokes. Although Grandma was stuck it that bed I can't ever remember her complaining about her situation. She would always be interested in what I was doing and would encourage me to do my best. 

Jean is the middle name of my lovely wife. I was fortunate to have Stephanie enter my life 15 years ago.
Stephanie is the person that you want to enter as "emergency contact" on a release form. That may sound like a strange compliment but for those of you who don't know her it seems like the best way to describe someone who you would trust with your life. Stephanie has been and continues to be a very positive role model to our kids, we are all better because of her inner strength and determination that she demonstrates on a daily basis. I count my blessings that I was able find the love that I have found in Stephanie. She is also smokin' hot but that doesn't seem relevant to this story.

So, there you have it.
Ruby Jean, a name based on encouragement, strength, determination and love.
Ruby Jean and I are in for quite an adventure and with Grandma watching out from above and Stephanie providing strength and encouragement we should have the wind at our backs and smooth sailing all the way to Boston.

Dream BIG,
Jeff

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