Behind the scenes: Prepping for the tour

I'm glad it's raining. It makes it easier to stay indoors and get the million things done before I leave on tour. I deem this - crunch time. My friends say "it's sooooo interesting" why don't you write about it.

Personally, I think it's a little mundane - but I'll take a 10-minute break and let in you in on some of the prep work that goes on behind the scenes.

First, I'm pretending I leave this week. Wednesday, to be exact. This gives me the opportunity to stress out twice. Actually it helps me tie up loose ends, prevents procrastination, and then - in the event of some unknown emergency - I am ready.

As you can see above, I'm writing thank-you notes to all the people who made donations. This year I have homemade stationary!  Thanks to Cedar Community.

I have about 50 of those left. Once the weather clears I'll try to deliver the ones in town on my bike. It'll be good training and I may be able to introduce myself personally. It's that added touch and yes, I do save a stamp. (you're thinking it anyway so I might as well say it.)

My one-day packet project is now turning into four days. I have a team back home that watches out for me. They each get a packet with a house key, all my emergency numbers, my flight info, and copies of my social security card, license, and my will. I know...  morbid - but I'd rather be prepared.

I've also reviewed all my checking and savings accounts and made sure I have a POD - so none of that gets caught up in the courts. Finally the packet includes my credit card numbers and the number if I lose my card or its stolen then I can call my team and they can call to cancel. Yes - I try to think of everything.

I have my bike boxes, my tour jerseys, my tools, tubes, tires are all lying in a somewhat organized pile. I'm trying to cut down my gear by 20 pounds and I'm not having much luck. I know I'm going to hit a lot of up down and hauling around 80 pounds of gear is too much.

You saw Dan Brunner, the guy from Kewaskum walking the Pacific Crest Trail - he's going to be gone five months and all he took was 10 pounds.  Jeesh!

Cables and power cords and European plug adapters OH MY! I haven't even got to that segment of equipment yet.... much less a map of Italy. That sounds like something I should push to the top of my to-do list.

Stay tuned!  Tour leaves June 3!

New tour jersey is here!

My friend and primary-tour sponsor Helen Reinke is presented with a 2014 tour jersey!

                                 She's game to try it on for size...

                                                   .... and it's a fit!

Helen's name is on the front of the jersey along with other sponsors including USCCA, Kettle Moraine Detachment 1203, Thrivent Financial, and Wiedmeyer Trucking.

Major thanks to Husar's House of Fine Diamonds which printed and donated the jerseys.  All money raised during the upcoming bicycle tour from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Wisconsin will be donated to Alzheimer's exercise and activities at Cedar Community.

Behind the scenes: Helen is the one who kicked off the tour this year with a generous $10,000 donation. After she decided she liked the jersey she said, "How much do I owe you for this?"

Tour leaves June 27.