The invitation letter has been faxed.
The airplane ticket has been bought.
The laptop has been borrowed.
It is about 10am on Friday morning as I write these words.
In about two hours I'm going to leave for one last ride, one last tour
before the Tour. Somewhere between 15 and 20 hours of saddle time on
the old western highway. Can't take the short route. The short route
is under construction.
Last time I asked my main contact with the local Tour he said that he
didn't specifically instruct the government to repave potential routes
but it is very suspiciously coincidental in a non coincidental sort of
way. All the same to me, I've never actually ridden the western
coastal route and I'm kind of looking forward to it.
Besides which the tour will be my last real physical exertion for the
next two weeks. With the exception of airplanes and percoset I've
never been higher than the Appalachians and I'm not real keen on
exercise at elevation. Not like I'd be able to anyways since all the
bikes are staying here in Hainan. With the exception of themed t-
shirts the only bike related thing I'll be taking with me is a funny
suntan and a yellow bracelet.
T minus 3
-M