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Day’s Verse:
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
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Please help me raise money for the MS Bike Tour Cape Cod Getaway. Donate today on my MS Participant page.
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From Ian:

If you’ve been reading Katie’s blog recently (and if you haven’t, shame on you) you may have noticed that she’s been training for a couple of long bike rides. Well today begins the first one: The National MS Society Cape Cod Getaway. After a very busy day yesterday (chores for me, work for Katie) we went to bed at 9:00 PM knowing that a mere seven hours later we would be dragging ourselves out of bed. After eating breakfast and packing some last minute things we left our apartment and headed to Quincy.

We arrived at Squantum Point Park shortly before 6:00 AM. Despite the early hour there were already a couple hundred people vigorously preparing for a 75 mile ride. Katie checked in with the ride people while I stood around checking the weather on my phone. We’ve been concerned this last week that the weekend would be really nasty and despite the forecast saying over 50% of thunderstorms and rain it was nice and sunny at the park. In fact, it doesn’t look like there are many clouds to be had in the area. This being New England, that could change at any moment, but we’re hoping to not have to seek refuge in a motel.

After Katie checked in, she went through her usual bike ride prep:
Load jersey with food
Fill tires with air
Slather on sunscreen

She was planning on meeting some people she met on another ride, so we heading over to the general meeting area. I don’t know that she ever found them but she did find a guy she met on the ride last year (Steve, the guy with the unicorn on his helmet). It seems that he and his wife formed a team and they wanted to invite Katie but they didn’t have our contact info. That’s unfortunate, but at least Katie has some people to ride with.

At the last minute she decided to take her vest and arm warmers in case the weather got bad so we walked back to the car where we passionately embraced before she headed to the start point and I headed out. Now I’m hanging out in a Panera Bread for a couple of hours before heading down to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which is the stop over point for today.

Here are the routes Katie is riding this weekend:

Saturday – Quincy to Bourne
Sunday – Bourne to Provincetown

Here are a few pictures I took this morning:
Katie posing before the ride 1
Katie posing before the ride 2
Katie posing before the ride 3
Katie is excited

Squantum Point Park Views 1
Squantum Point Park Views 2
Squantum Point Park Views 3

Me hanging out beforehand

Katie riding to the starting area 1
Katie riding to the starting area 2
Katie riding to the starting area 3