Pie in Pine Valley

It has begun

I've been waiting for it to be March 6th for a long time. Today it finally got here. We got up early (I got up WAY before dawn - too excited to sleep) and ate some of the very best oatmeal I've ever eaten (might have had something to do with the excitement of the day, but I'm not sure). We then rode to the ocean, a short 3 mile stint.

What a thrill to be starting in on this thing. But what a brisk start! Before I left NC people would say, "well you're not riding on the HIGHWAYS, are you?" Well, much to my astonishment, we DID. Granted, there are bike lanes, but still...that's some FAST traffic. But after a bit we made it off the freeways and into the foothills. Lovely space, beautiful day, and it is as intimidating as I could believe anything could be. I mean, we've STARTED!

Tomorrow we ride more than today and the profile of the ride is much more intense than today's. But as many have said, it is one pedal at a time, one breath at a time, one bit,one little bit at a time.

The tire dip

The chocolate Bikes

I forgot to mention it but Dawn MADE these chocolate bikes. She's amazing. A powerhouse of San Diego.

Today she took us to eat fish tacos at South Beach in Ocean Beach. That's near Dog Beach where we will start tomorrow. I guess when there are this many beaches you have to name them all. Really it's just one huge beach separated by stone jettys.

Anyway - thank you Dawn. You are amazing.

I'm now waiting for dinner to start. Funny, starting to shift to this schedule of someone else being in charge of the what, where, and when of my meals. Funny stuff. The fish tacos, at the South Beach Bar and Grill were great, as was the fried calamari and the french fries with grilled beef on them (picture to follow...)

Dinnertime.
Then bed time.
Then time to get up.
Then time for breakfast.
Then time to ride to the ocean to dip the tires.
Then time to ride to Florida.

Can I really be doing this?

The San Diego reception

oh boy. I'm whipped. Dawn Edwards, my Women Chefs and Restaurateurs colleague (and fellow board member) organized a mixer/reception tonight for me and the bike ride. The Mayor of San Diego sent his chief of protocol to read a Proclamation declaring today Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and Women Chefs and Restaurateurs day in San Diego. (My name made it to the proclamation too.)

Wild times. I met more ovarian cancer survivors, friends of women who did NOT survive, adn other inspiring women. I'll be on San Diego television tonight, talking about the ride. (I asked the camera man to pass the word that I want to tell Ellen DeGeneres about this ride...One of these days my pesterings will turn into me actually getting on her show.

I got my bike, rode it, and had a fine time today. Still can't believe that I'll be getting on it for real day after tomorrow. Unbelievable.

In other news - I ate one fish taco today and tomorrow will go to the place that has, I'm told, the BEST. It's a tough job, but someone has to be the taster. I'm stuffed on cutie pie pastries from St. Tropez bakery and bistro. De-LISH! You should come here if you come to San Diego.

This is an amazing thing, this ride. I continue to feel humbled and stunned. Big stuff.

And now I'm going to bed.

Laurey

My sweet little red Trek - waiting for me!

Outside my hotel room!