Friday, March 13, 2009

On to Phoenix



Can you believe it? I have now ridden my bicycle into Phoenix, Arizona. A mazillion years ago a girlfriend and I drove here from Maine and we stayed here for three months. At that time it seemed unimaginably far away. And now I've come back, on my bike.

Today was a blast. Again. An easy (imagine that) 63 miles from Wickenburg to Phoenix. Connie and I took off at first light or so. Jan and Sherry were not far behind and when they caught up with us we hopped to it and the four of us drafted for miles and miles. This feeling is so amazing. When you lead, of course, it is hard because you are essentially breaking the trail. But then you get to slip back into the draft of the others and THAT, my friends, is a stunner. Pulled along, floating, pedaling lightly, resting, yes. Bliss. Bliss. Yes, bliss.

And then, quicker than believed, we came to the lunch spot, and headed for Subway because Connie had some free lunch vouchers but then, almost as we got there she spotted In-N-Out Burgers and friends, if you have never had an In-N-Out burger, well, you just have to find one sometime. We were there at 10. They opened at 10:30. Officially. But they let us in and we plowed through burgers and fries and cokes and laughed and were all very very happy.

And then we followed Mik, our guide, into town, roaring down here on bike paths that were clean and smooth and it was just utterly fabulous. 20-25 miles an hour, no effort, warm sun, fragrant cactus blooms coming to our noses.

And then a bike shop and admiration. "You're going WHERE? And you've come from WHERE???" The boys in the bike shop impressed with us women. We too, impressed with ourselves.

We arrived here, 63 miles after starting, after many pee and photo and food stops, at 1:00. Pool. Laundry. Notes to you. Tra la.

I LOVE this.

Cheers,
I'll write tomorrow.

Laurey

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope you're taking a ton of photos to post on your weekly newsletter when you get home. Ride, Laurey, ride!

Annette Leal Mattern said...

Laurey Masterton, cyclist-chef-ovarian cancer survivor-phenomenal woman. So honored to meet you and chat with you about your amazing ride. Wow. Coast to coast to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. First, you are incredibly strong in body and spirit. Next, you give a sense of inner peace, yet passionate about life. And you obviously are focused,committed to the cause. Who else could do what you're doing??? Damn few, I assure you.

Thank you for taking the time to do the interview in Phoenix. The survivors were so excited to meet you and the interview will help women see that life is possible after diagnosis.

And what a life it is.

We love you and are so proud of you!

Annette

Unknown said...

I wish I had known you were going to be in Phoenix and had the chance to me you, Laurey. I am also a Stage 1 OVCA survivor and try to spread to word as much as I can but I am so in awe of what you are doing. You go girl!

Best of luck with your ride!

Jill