"It's all the same Earth...No really it is."

The title of this post is compliments of Liz, post ride. Didn't know where else to put it.

3 quick hit notes...Both enjoyable and haunting.

1) I close my eyes at night to go to sleep and, no joke, I hear the clicking of the bike chains.

2) The tip of my ring finger on my left hand is numb; has been for 2.5 days. I'm not sure why.

3) I'm working on a wicked tan line...or perhaps more appropriately, tan circle (2 of them). I'll keep you posted.

Anyway, today seemed as if it was going to be a great day. We started the day with a quick group huddle, gave some thanks to God, asked for his continued aid and went on our way. The downhills were long, the uphills were short and before we knew it...Billy Quinn's tire was flat...again. No worries, we called a taxi. Now, I'm not sure if you've ever heard the joke about the guy stranded on his rough top during a flood who continually refuses assistance and insists that God will help him. Well that's kind of what happened to Bill and I as we were waiting for our taxi. Granted it was only one ride, but it was the ideal ride. Two older women, in a mini-van, with the same pioneer spirit we have as evidence by their emphatic response of "We've taken trips like that before" after we briefly shouted across Route 9 that we were going from Yankee Stadium to Fenway Park. They offered to help us, but we were headed North, they were headed South (or so we thought). We thanked them very much, and sent them on their way, only to watch them pull a U-Turn and head back North. Too late...Ride lost. Thanks anyway God, I'll keep my eyes open wider next time.

After reuniting the group, the day went well for the most part. Lunch was fantastic, and we really cruised for the most part. I think my favorite part of the journey was riding behind John up one of the early hills and motivating him along by singing "You're the Best Around" by Joe Esposito. This song is great in and of itself, but I think for John and I (and Vinny Mullady, who's not on the trip) it holds a special place in our hearts thanks to Ronnie Rhodes (sorry for any misspellings). If you don't know the song, download it now; it's from the Karate Kid soundtrack and you won't want to workout without it, ever again.

Other than that, I still hate hills, but what can you do. I'm really developing quite the philosophy on life on this trip, but I'll expand on that at some other point. It's probably not original at all, but I'm going to pretend it is. It keeps me motivated.

Thanks for all the love from home! Especially you Pop! Love the text messages!

P.S. I miss my iPod (or music in general)

So it goes...