Yesterday I did a full dress rehearsal for my little jaunt from Pittsurgh to DC one month from today. I loaded up the panniers, hung them on the bike, and rode 75 miles. I averaged 15 mph which means it will probably be about 13 or so on the bike paths since they aren't paved. Feel fine this morning so I am not worried about actually pedaling it. Needed to do this now to make sure everything worked the way it's supposed to. Everything is new from the bike to the bags

I am getting psyched, and driving my wife nuts in the process. When I get back, I'll start driving her even crazier because I still plan a two week tour in Sep, probably around Lake Michigan.

Just want to say that this forum is partly the reason for these trips this year. Last year I didn't get a chance to do anything because of some huge changes with work. As a result, I didn't ride hardly at all, didn't visit the gyms at the hotels when I traveled (which last year was 29 of 52 weeks), ate a ton of fatty restaurant food, and snacked in my room at night. As a result, the day after Christmas I weighed myself - 204 pounds. I am 5'10" so that was a little heavy. Quite a shock for me since up until last year I had kept myself in pretty good shape year 'round.

As of this morning I weigh 170 pounds which is exactly what I weighed when I graduauted in 1971 from HS, and feel even better than I have in years.

I have used each of ya'll as inspiration to get back into shape. Everyone of you in some form or another helped me out.

Thanks everyone. This is going to be a great summer.