Flew in to Minneapolis this morning and checked into the Comfort Inn near the Mall of America. I am hooking up with my friend Randy Garmon here in Minneapolis to do the Tour of the Leaves ride. Randy and I met last summer during my cross country bike ride and ended up riding together for the last 10 weeks. We kept in touch during the past year and agreed that it would be fun to do another ride together if the opportunity presented itself. Randy's flight got in late this afternoon. We met for dinner and had a joyous time reflecting on last summer and starting to plan for the ride to begin tomorrow. Randy commented that when we parted last summer he wondered if we would ever see each other again. I think we are both happy that this ride has given us the opportunity to do something we enjoy (bike touring with a compatible traveling companion) and participate with Del and the ALS Association to raise awareness of ALS. I have been amazed during preparations for the ride at how just about everyone I talk to has been affected either directly or indirectly by ALS.
Someone from the Minneapolis ALS office is picking us up in the morning and taking us to the Amtrak station to get the bikes. After assembling the bikes, we will ride 5 miles to the local ALS office for the send off. Attached is an overview map of the route we have planned to follow. However, as always with bike touring and great adventures in general, the route will always be subject to modification.
I am looking forward to tomorrow with great anticipation.
