Let there be pictures....

Lots and lots and lots of pictures!

And check out the map feature - shows wee thumbnails on a map, so you see where the picture was taken.

did

August Whitefish Rider Portraits

Here are some portraits of the August Whitefish team that were taken during our (LONG) layover in Chicago. Not all team members are represented as a few were absent and others were unwilling to subject themselves to such humiliation. It's always nice to be able to put a face with a name.

JDRF Riders Portraits

Whitefish Report 8/27/07

Hopefully everyone has recieved my "official" Ride Report in their inbox by now, (and if you haven't...please let me know!) but I just wanted to chime in again about what a special group of riders it was that I was privileged to share the MT experience with last weekend!

Here's a dirty little Coach secret that we all talk about when we have our special little meeting @ breakfast on Friday. (Don't tell on me or the other coaches will take away my special "Coach" jersey!) We get way more out of this than we put in! JDRF takes good care of us, gives us all that fancy lycra and Tim makes a big fuss over us in front of everyone on Friday night. Shucks.......there's even a special award just for us! Then there's all the warm fuzzies that we get from you guys on top of all that! So, to earn all that stuff all I gotta do is ride (which I do anyways!) and hang out w/ you guys! (Which I'd do anyways if you'd let me!)

See what I mean? It's a pretty sweet deal from my point of view and I couldn't mean it any more when I say that I'm honored and humbled that it's okay w/ you guys that I hang around as your "coach".

Thanks again, and congradulations to each and every one of you..........August MT'rs, September MT's and DV'rs all!

Anyway............Looking forward to reports and pix from everyone! I have a few........a disproportionate number of which are of Linda, Diana and Rod! Still...........maybe I'll figure out how to post them w/out Cahd havin' to rescue me. (Don't hold your breath!)

MC

Updated Whitefish Gallery

I'm working on full-blown post ride wrap-up, but for now, enjoy some photos that I added to my Whitefish gallery.

Hello from Whitefish

Guilty as charged. I'm a bit of a nerd. But, this geekiness does enable me to post a photo from beautiful Whitefish, MT.

Everything looks set for tomorrow. Some changes had to be made to the Star Meadow route because of forest fires in the area, so the most challenging climbing has been eliminated. We'll still be able to log a hundred miles by doubling back over a section of the route. The weather forecast is for temps to top out in the mid 80's, but chilly in the morning with lows around 47. By this time tomorrow we'll all be relishing the feeling of having put many miles under our wheels, and having done something truly awesome for others.

Speaking as a first timer, this is really amazing. Impossible to describe, really, so I won't try. You veterans know what I'm talking about.

Good luck

A hearty send off to the West Michigan riders who will be leaving for Whitefish, Montana tomorrow. Those us of who have to wait two more months are envious of you getting to do your ride already. Thanks for supporting a great cause. With people like those on the West Michigan Ride Team there is no doubt that we WILL cure diabetes.

Pool Party and Ride CANCELLED

From Mary Scheidel via Ann O'Conner...

Hi team,
Due to the crappy weather forecast for Sunday our team ride/pool party has been cancelled. Ann is looking at other possible dates for a future party. We'll keep you posted. If you need to contact Ann, her cell is 616-780-3406.

Such is life

So, I'm grumbling this morning (not because of ride stuff). I opened the box containing 750 new test strips for my and Ellie's blood glucose meters this morning. They changed the packaging. And you will think, but Katie - why would this put you in a grumpy mood? Well, they made the vials that hold 25 strips each larger, and the new vials won't fit into the cases that carry our meter, strips and poker. WHO THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA? I guess we keep the old vials and just move strips into them as we need it. We'll just have to tell daycare and school that the code on the vial and code in the meter don't match for a reason and yes we know the vial says the strips have expired but they really haven't.

Crazy. Just crazy. I want to find the person who thought this was a good idea (and I know who it is - a man with big fingers that didn't fit in the old vials). Such is life.

I am looking forward to the ride and pool party tomorrow. I hope the weather holds out (and I survive my 15-year high school reunion tonight!).

One Week

Montana info, for anyone interested! It's a bit more, y'know, on fire than I'd prefer...

And a Webcam, looking East from the West side of Whitefish Lake!

See you Sunday!

did

POOL PAR-TAY!

OK, gang...should we have a bit of a chat about who's bringing what for the gathering on Sunday? I know our lovely hosts the O'Connors take care of the BBQ, what is everyone else thinking of bringing along (besides their healthy appetites)?

Vegas Bay-bee!

Okay all you Death Valleyians................time to put'cher money where your mouth is! I've heard a lotta big talk about hangin' in Vegas after the ride..............now that Mary needs our travel info it's time to nail this down.

So..................who's up for 1 day? 2 days? No days? What's the plan? Is there a plan? Should there even be a plan?

Let the posting commence!

MC

August 5 Team Ride

Here's the West Michigan Ride Team getting ready to leave Joe Schmeider's house yesterday. Notice how everyone is smiling? This was before 48 very hilly miles. The hilliest portion being Joe's driveway.

Post ride frivolity.

Chips, salsa, burgers, energy drink, pasta salad, muffins, and cookies.

Team Ride this Sunday!

Hey ya'll! I'm hoping to see many of your smiling and sweaty faces up @ Joe's this Sunday! Hopefully everyone got my last e-mail so your all up to date on the time and the place and all the details.

Miles!

Hills!

Burgers!

Chips-n-salsa!

What could be better?

I know there's a chance of rain in the forecast...but what are the odds really?

See you there!

Coach Mike