Paladin Moon

We are home, the car is unpacked, the dog (collected from my dad's) is delighted to have her realm back, the cats have emerged from all hiding places (on seeing the dog, have now returned to them), and we are finally making our way towards actual possibilities for sleep.

It was a good weekend, but very hectic.

I have pictures from today to post but they can wait until tomorrow's clearer, better-rested mind can sort them.

Arrival of my heart

Rick arrives at lunch.

OH COME ON. Is this REALLY necessary?

Why, oh WHY, would it occur to me to worry about 100% fruit juice being laden with fat?

So you might be wondering why there's suddenly a picture like this in the middle of bike-riding pictures? We were in a grocery store, augmenting our Saturday night pizza party with a veg tray and some fresh fruit.

OK. Some beer too. Carbo-loading, you know.

 

Day is done.

Today's MS150 ride was fantastic.

That could be the adrenaline talking, though.

 

Sage advice.

I always find wierd stuff in bathrooms.

She's a Paladin!

Yay! She raised over $7000 last year!

Rick B. left us some cheer!

LUNCH.

HoHos and water ahead!

Beautiful.

Paul at 2nd rest stop!

Made me laugh on the MS150!

So funny (and somewhat reassuring) to see that some things never change!

 

Helpful signs on the MS150.

They also had some identifying loose gravel and dangerous intersections. I paid close attention to my safety and the safety of the riders around me instead of taking cameraphone pictures, so you'll just have to take my word for it...

 

First reststop! 12+ miles down.

Not bad. Not bad at all. Completely fun, in fact!

 

A fine day to kick some MS arse!

An absolutely beautiful morning. Perfect weather, all conditions are ideal!! We don't always get this, so we are taking it in with enormous enjoyment.

 

Stil w the pack! But it s early.

I think this is Prospect St., just before West. Still in Berea.

 

Center St.

... and that's Rick and Mike in the blue Paladins jerseys directly in front of me. Neither they nor I would stay still for the picture, so it was a team effort to make it so blurry.

 

MS GREAT-8

This guy -- Mike Zimits -- and his organization, MS Great-8, is BRILLIANT. He and his friend Cat organize riders to join them on eight other NMSS fund-raising rides during the course of a calendar year to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The money raised will stay local, even though the ride is not.

For example, I live in Cleveland, but would love to ride in the NYC event. Funds raised to participate in that event would be sent in to the Ohio Buckeye Chapter, and I get the benefit of meeting all sorts of riders from way out east.

Did I say benefit???? My benefit today was to ride part of the way with these very fine people. I am humbled by their charity, I am overwhelmed by their friendship!! What warmth.

Plus, they very generously donated $10,000 to our own Buckeye Chapter.

Good people are a delight to find.

 

Any minute now...

At this point, we are soooooooooooooooooooooooo! ready! to! Just! GO!

But no.

There are speaches.

>sigh.<

 

Paladins ready to hit the road!

... and you know, it's actually a little disappointing that it's light out right now.

We spent extra $$$$ and time to put our website on the back of the jerseys/t-shirts in special stuff that reflects.

Meh. Fergesse. It was totally worth it. I'm all about safety.

It'll be useful another day.

Meanwhile? You want to talk about visibility? See My Beloved? You can't miss him!!! He's the one with the Slider Hat attached to his helmet.

Slider is the Indians mascot, a bright fuchsia and yellow plush nightmare.

Definitely click on the link, he's very inspirational!! Rick and I love Slider. He chose the hat the night we had dinner with Bob Feller specifically to be visible on this occasion, hoping it would fit over his helmet!

I'm glad it did. The emcee had a blast IDing it.

We enjoyed being IDed.