Many thanks to many people

As I finish packing today for my flight out to Arizona tomorrow I think back at my journey over the last 2.5 months.   Finally the big week is here.  It's been a challenging few months for many reasons.  As a mother of 2, running my own business and starting a new venture along with making the time to train adequately has been more than overwhelming.  Physically I feel right there and ready.  Although I will tell you again... I'm nervous as anything to be doing these rides 6 times over and the way it is looking today, we will have some days in the rain, wind and colder weather. :(   I think as long as I fuel my body, get adequate rest and maintain any pains that I have I think I will okay.  Well, I thought I would give some shout outs now, as I'm sure my blogging this coming week will be all about my adventures.  I don't want this time to go by without saying thank you to everyone, and there are so many of you out there to say thank you to!   Thank you first off to  the UMCA board for choosing me and believing in me to represent Anne Marie McSweeney's memory.  Doug and Nancy and the Board, thank you for all the support you've given me along the way.  Pawling Cycle and Sport Shop aka ROB, for the loan of the trainer, CD of "CHRIS"!! haha...  The nice toasty gloves, the loan of the mountain bikes, the words of encouragement, technique, and of course all the tuneup and maintenance, you always kept me safe on my bike :)   The Pawling Cycle and Sport Team for everyone's encouragement.  All my Indiegogo friends and supporters!!!!  Thank you so much!!! Mark N., Tom R. and the PA Randonneurs for your support and encouragement through this journey.  Susan and Lon at Pac tours.  Lon thank you for the loan of the bike this week and I can't wait to spend time talking with you and hearing the many adventures you've had and all the amazing feedback you'll have for me!!!!  So excited!    My mentor and friend Ralph, we've spent many hours together, many climbs, I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful mentor and friend to have come into my life!  My cycle partner on the West, Ken... Even 3,000 miles away, the knowledge that you have given me when I asked, or even not.. hahah...  has been amazing, no rock left unturned.  And by the way... pictures will be taken.. because you know the saying.. No picture, it never happened... haha...  ( I'm sure I messed that up somewhere.. hehehe )   Solvang for sure next year and I will see you soon for a weekend ride on the West Coast, we will do SF.  Spiz energy drink for the sponsorship.  All the many friends and family that I have passed on the road and who cheer me on EVERY TIME!!!!!  THANK YOU!!!!  There's not a ride I've gone on, I haven't gotten a honk or a yell out the window... Even made some new friends with the Fed-ex guy...  "Wasn't that you I saw 3 hours ago over on ....?,  haha!! YUP!"  And lastly but not least the many people that have followed this blog.   I've been writing this blog since the end of December and I have had an amazing ( to me) amount of hits over that short time, about 650 in total.  It thrills me to know that people have wanted to come along with me on my journeys.  The road sometimes can get quiet but the will to push,  go faster, harder and better is that much stronger when I'm doing it with you guys!    Riding towards something... yes I am,  but I'm still figuring it out!!!  hahaha...  Be back when I hit the desert ground!  SO EXCITED!!!!!!