My trip To Tuscan although uneventful was very long. I had to fly into LA and then back to Tuscan totally almost 10 hours travel time. Arrived there relatively on time and jumped right into the courtesy van. The hotel was within a mile of the airport so it was short ride :) Thank goodness. Arrived checked in and then out to the PAC tour Vans to check in there. A little nervous as the groups of people seemed to of course be socializing as they have known each other for years. I walked up to the silver Van where I met Barb, she quickly asked my name and with a smile said oh Nicole you're the scholarship winner. She proceeded to tell me how she knew Anne Maire and would to sit with me a tell me all about her. Of course, I would love to. We're having coffee tomorrow morning before the ride. Shortly after that I meet Susan Notorangelo and Lon Haldeman!!!!!! Hello!! Each one of them being a legend in this sport!!! Incredible legends and pioneers I should say. What a privilege being here on this trip is... not only to represent Anne Marie McSweeney but also to be have the opportunity to talk and be with Susan and Lon both. That was only the beginning!!!! Of course... the ahhh stopped immediately when Susan in her strong voice ushers me along and goes... okay you have your peddles and your seat? Come let's get started... haha... oh shit!!! peddles, seat.... Rob... where is Rob when you need him... hahah!!!! Only kidding... this is what I came here for... It's about time I fended for myself! Susan proceed to explain and guide me though it all. As I work through getting my seat on peddles etc. Although when I got changes the tire... I Patty told me that it might be on backwards!!! haha... and it was.. So took it off and did it again. Little did I know it was good practice for my trip ahead. Anyway continuing.. Susan moves on and I meet this amazing women, her name is Patty Joe. Also known as Snow kitty... what an amazing character she is. And also another amazing athlete.... Winner of the most extreme cycle race, RAAM attendee, Alaskan Iditarod!!! That's where she got frost bite on her fingers and toes. That story came out as we sat in the rescue van on the first day.... Although she was smarter than me and she sat in the back seat dry as I was drenched from head to toe. That will be another story. Well got the bike ready, and took a short ride around the hotel in preparation for the trip tomorrow. Only 3 miles around and the roads were crazy rough, hurt my hands, the winds also was strong and felt like 6 miles. Headed back to the hotel and met up with Lon and he asked if I would be joining them for dinner. Hecht yeay! Well, Met Anna, who is part of the crew! I really like her a lot and we hope to ride a bit together later this week. She is a ultra marathon cycle trainer and...... also has raised and trained horses most of her life... Although I don't believe she does anymore. Lovely person.. Then I met George, again an ultra marathon cycler and trainer. He was here with his son John, who was here with 2 men training this week for the RAAM. He was training for crew with them. I don't think I'll be riding with them. haha! Then I met Dean from Australia, which I will talk about later, he ended up being a riding partner on Tuesday ride. As we walked back to the hotel I was able to talk with George. WOW!! The information and suggestions he had were incredible. Later I find out that his son John was on an Olympic training program... No wonder he knew so much. Well I head back to the hotel where they had a riders meeting. Then back to my room where I finally met my room mate for the week It ended up being Vaune who was the other scholarship winner. I didn't know that she was coming this week. she has one incredible story!! But I have to end this blog for now. #1 it is a bit long and #2 I'm not sure how it happened but I became quite sick here and need to get to sleep. I'm hoping I will feel better tomorrow morning so I can ride again.. what am I saying... I'm riding either way... tomorrow is Bisbee and Tombstone, again...
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