First Outdoor Ride of the Year?

I've been a little quiet with this blog over the past week partly because I'm cranky about the ice and snow and people don't enjoy my whining. At least that's what my parents told me day in and day out for probably 15 years. We used to have a game my family would play in the car: "Let's see how long Maggie can go without talking." It closely resembled the other family game called, "Maggie will get a quarter if she doesn't talk until we get to Chicago."

I digress.

I also have been relatively quiet this past week because I prepared for, and hosted, the first of my two tea parties. The second one will be this weekend. I'm still not sure how it works, fundraising goal-wise, but they are fun nonetheless.

Speaking of fundraising, due to a surge yesterday in response to info I posted on Facebook, I'm now at 52% of my goal. Excellent! Thanks!

Now all I have to do is hold up my end of the bargain and get on that dang bike! It will happen. And soon. I'm very anxious to ride, and will have to be an eager rider, since the 150-mile bike ride is just over two months away, and the 250ish-mile ride is just over three months away, and much training will need to happen in that compressed timeframe.

The high temps all week are going to be 38-45, which is excellent. I have been driving along different routes, paths, etc. where I normally ride, scoping out the ice. (I will not ride on ice.) The mornings are cold, so what melted the night before freezes. We are almost to the point, though, where the melting is happening away from the road.

I think I might try riding to/from work some day this week. I think I found an ice-free route. Regardless, I'm thinking that the forecasted warm temps and possible rain on Saturday might clear things up for a ride on Sunday. I've got a tentative date with this new riding partner, who, based on the photo below, looks to be at a similar skill level.

Woohoo! Bike rides! Outside! I'm so excited, I can't really sit still.

Couldn't make it to a tea party? Got an IRS refund? Excited to help get me the last 48% of the way? Here's my link, which you're welcome to share with others: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/MaggieMahoneyMS150