Pre-BAK: Bikes, Buses, Beats and B.O.

***Note: I am not able to upload photos at this time, but will add them as I am able.***

What's the worst that could happen? A pipe could burst in the basement and you have to turn all the water off the night before meeting the bus... meaning no shower after work before leaving. You could be on a bus full of people and someone smells like B.O. (Although it could have been me?!?) You could have to deal with the herd mentality and be told that even though they told you that lunch was 1hr and you set your alarm for 45min, that you are late because everyone else is ready to leave. You could put on a pair of pants that don't fit anymore and spend the day hauling them up like a hoodlum... but I digress. In all of these situations, I chalked them up to part of the adventure and either MacGuyvered it or made due. 

Somehow I got a seat on the bus on to myself. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I fell asleep between where we left and the first stop to get people. Which is highly interesting because I don't fall sleep (or stay asleep) on planes, trains, or automobiles. Surely it has to do with the fact that I worked last night. 

The bus driver must know Papa (my Dad). So far, every rest stop has been at a Pilot or Flying J. I feel right at home! When we stopped for lunch, the crowds lined up at the closest eating places: McDonalds, Arby's and Subway. I decided to go for a short walk and found a Jimmy John's without a line. Best sandwich of the trip! 

We got into Tribune, KS and got set up at Greeley Co HS. Part of the registration fee for BAK includes lodging at the local HS or community center. You can either be a gym rat or hang out in tent city and often people will alternate to allow everyone to have the opportunity to rotate through the air conditioning.  For those of us staying at Bubba's Pampered Peddlers, we headed off to tent city. The first year I participated in BAK 2014, it was Padre's Cycle Inn, but he retired after that season. They are under new ownership, but are still worth the price if you happen to participate in an event where either are available. 

I choose to pay a little extra and use Bubba's Pampered Peddlers. With this option, they set up the tents, provide cool drinks and snacks, and have an area with chairs for resting. One of the benefits to this, is that when you get into town your tent set up and ready for you. You grab your gear and head to the showers, which they provide towels for - Hooray, less to pack! For me it's worth every penny. And, every year I meet a new and interesting group of people in addition to the friends I made in the past.

The options upon arrival were to check-in right away and do the border in the morning, or since the bus was a bit late arriving, to ride out to the CO border and then check in. The ride out to the border is on your own no matter when you chose to do it. So, after unloading the busses and transport trucks of the bikes, I opted to ride out to the border first, because I didn't think I would be able to do the 32 miles round trip on top of tomorrow's 71 miles.

There were lots of vehicles passing who were dropping their riders off at the border to ride back in, which is what I did my first year.. I didn't blame them... there was a 30 mph cross wind on top of 95 degree heat. Those 32 miles were a struggle without SAG stops for water and snacks every 10 miles. Surrounded by fields of wheat and blue sky as far as the eye could see, it was a beauty to behold. It was also a great test run to prepare for a big day tomorrow.  Of course, when I got to the border I had my picture taken... who wouldn't?!? 

Now, something to note. I am beautifully and wonderfully made, but it is a rare occasion that you will get a picture of me, let alone a picture of me in bicycle pants. I am not ashamed of how I look. In fact, I am pretty proud of my strength and accomplishments, although the exterior shell doesn't always reflect what is going on underneath. Although, just like any female, I have my moments of self doubt. I also have moments of weakness, where I find myself comparing my attributes to other women, which never turns out well. Always humbling, to say the least. It hasn't always been that way. My past is riddled with Life, just as it is for nearly everyone I know. For a long time, my normal, appropriate, REAL body was compared side-by-side with pictures of airbrushed imaginary females (for truly they are not a depiction of real women). This is a devastating comparison, because no matter what I could do, there is no way I could have ever attained that level of perfection - as there really is no such thing. And, while my self-esteem took a tremendous hit over those years, it is becoming strong again, slowly, but surely.

I don't like to have my picture taken... not sure why... always has been, but it is what it is. And, like any woman, I don't particularly like to be photographed in skin tight clothing... but again, it is what it is. It's kind of hard to bicycle a long way without a good pair of padded shorts... trust me on this. I'm proud of this picture. It's the result of a lot of hard work, infinite grace and the beginning of a renewal of my spirit. 

The return trip was so much harder than the way out. After sitting on a bus all day, my muscles were atrophied and my knees, sore. I am about to share something few people know about me, and it makes me a huge nerd. I'm a percussionist... the consummate band geek. When I run, which I only do under duress or my life is in imminent danger, I have to have a constant steady beat to maintain my speed and determination. I have yet to find a good CD or music track that has all of the music at the same tempo. I've heard that there are some apps that slow or speed up your playlist to match a tempo, but I haven't found a free one yet. So, I run using military cadences - I have since I was in high school. I have Marine Corps, Rangers, Special Forces, SEALS, Air Force... The jodies are fun and the tempo never changes... so, to get back, I sang  the cadences in my head and took it one mile at a time. By the time I got back, I could hardly walk. I mean, leaning on the bike and gripping for dear life, knees wobbling... hardly walk. It's too bad you can't Slip in a crosswind on a bicycle.

But, hey... I didn't die! Not even close! And I am stronger today than I was yesterday.