Lugging 80 lbs

My out-of-shape legs took a beating a few days ago when I took my youngest two on a 15 mile ride in the child trailer.  The hills were grueling and the tires felt very deflated (which they weren't).  I would have posted the path, but my phone with the GPS died sometime during the route.  We had to stop at a couple playgrounds during the ride to appease the very patient "resistance weights".  I need to remember to pack them the nintendo DS next time.

Sponsors!

I just wanted to publicly thank the CENTA group for their recent contribution to both the Oral Cancer Foundation, and in helping sponsor our endeavor.  I couldn't say enough good about the group in general.  They are a specialty group in ear nose and throat medicine here in Indianapolis whom I can honestly say take great pride in doing their best to serve the community.  As their Fellow (apprentice) this past year, I have been able to see how they treat their patients with kindness, sincerity, humor, and patience.  And yet, they are able to back it up with top notch surgical skills.  I'll be sad to leave such an amazing learning environment for the aforementioned reasons.

Thank you Diamondback bycicles for your contribution to Kyle's part by providing him with the means of transportation.  My mother, an avid mountain biker (now 68 years of age) had a diamondback bike as one of the first bikes owned.  I've ridden the bike and loved it.  Truly great quality.  We'll be testing the quality of Kyle's new bike against 4,000 miles. :)

Back in preparation mode...

Kyle just found out that his bike can't fit a bike rack.  Back to the drawing board for him.  He facing the decision of wearing a backpack in the July heat, or getting a new bike.  Since all he has so far is a bike, I hope he doesn't run into many more snags as he accrues equipment.  

Debbie, my wife, brought up a good question..."How are you going to secure your bike when eating and sleeping?"  All I have is a small bike cable.  I figure, when in a hotel, we'll bring the bikes in with us.  When eating at Golden Corral  buffet...I'm not sure.  Maybe we'll have to bring a guard dog.  Anyone have suggestions?

Sad week

Last week one of our patients  passed away from oral cancer.  She had everything done for her that modern medicine could provide. Even still, the cancer took her life. 

Item list

Trans American trek
Items to buy before trek across nation
Map/route
Bike-done
Helmet-done
Rear mirror on helmet
Fluorescent shirt...long sleve.-done
Cycling Shoes
Gloves- I have
Extra tubes x?,
pump-done
Chain fix kit-done
Tent-done
Knife-done
lighter-done
Sleepung bag-done
Panniers-done
Electronics...
Phone
Charger
Ear buds
Solar panel charger... Wind/solar
Extra battery for phone-done
Light...cygolight expilion 400 usb bike light $105. Rei or Urban light $120.00 BGI fitness.
Clothing...
Wind breakerand or long sleeve jersey-bright color(yellow)
Padded shorts x2
Long wind/water pants
Sunglasses
First aid kit.
Toiletries...
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, sunscreen, bandaid, antibiotic, steroid,
Previous riders... Www.gulfsouthsolar.com
Susie wheeldon
Dr. Jerry House M.D. WWW.sites.Google.?
   

Pamphlets and bracelets

The box of goodies came in!  Thanks to the Oral Cancer Foundation, I can spread the good cheer.  They sent me a box with buttons, maroon bracelets, and pamphlets with information in regards to oral cancer.  I will try and get some pictures of the items on this blog post.

Fellowship is still going strong.  I have little time to train for the ride this week due to meetings, surgery and a family reunion coming up this weekend.  I'll be back at it again next week though.

BIG Saturday

What a busy day we had yesterday!   We did oral cancer screenings at St. Vincent Hospital on 86th Street in Indy from 9:00am till 1:00pm.  We had 125 people scheduled.  All of the CENTA head and neck surgeons and a couple of residents were there to screen.  I saw around 19 people with 4 of them needing follow up biopsies for suspicious lesions.  In comparison to our previous screening a few months ago, only 1 of 60 needing further investigation.  I would say today was a great success.

After the screenings, I headed over to another hospital to do a consult with my 4 year old son Chase.  The nurses were great, giving him graham crackers and milk.  The latter ended up all over the trunk of the van.  Spills...just part of life.  He was a trooper. We celebrated by going to Carl's Junior and then on to REI.

The biggest sale of the year for the retailer REI is going on now!  From the 18th till the 25th, I believe.  So, since I will be gone next weekend for a family reunion, I took full advantage of my Saturday off.  Thank you Dr. Chmieluska for taking call this weekend! So, like a woman, I spent just under 4 hours at the store.  My wife sacrificed a good couple of hours of her own time for this to happen.  I selfishly spent the time goggling over rows and rows of equipment and supplies.  I learned all I could about the R factors on sleeping mats and down fill power (with ranges from about 175 cm3/g for feather to around 900cm3/g for the highest quality) and comfort level (EN13537) in sleeping bags.  The staff was, as always, super helpful and easy to work with.  Who wouldn't spend hours there when possible?

So the purchases of yesterday...

1 sleeping bag

1 REI sleeping air mat

2 Novara bike bottle cages

1 saddle balm :)

1 set of panniers

1 pair of pants with zip away legs

Total spent = A LOT!!!  Sponsors anyone??  :)