Dreaming about a trip is, what 90 percent? No, but it is a lot.

 “Anticipation is such a valuable source of pleasure,” said Elizabeth Dunn, a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She is quoted in a New York Times article about how many of us feel when planning a trip. It is an idea that's easy to agree with. 

Fred and I found out about the Skinny Tires event on a cold November evening when we were just sitting around, not doing much. We read about it. Talked a little. Read a little more. Then, without much too much more consideration, we signed up. The registration fee, around $225 each for what sounds like an amazing supported cycling in an area we want to visit anyway, seemed like a bargain compared to full-blown cycling trips we've heard about. 

Anyway, we clicked "register" and felt satisfied with the plan. We filled in all the other details of the trip, flight, hotel, bike equipment questions, in December. Anticipation has been brewing, in a very nice way, ever since.

At some point, we talked about training, but we didn't do anything fancy in that realm. I tried to get in 80 miles a week, in an average of three rides a week, during January and February. I met the goal maybe 75 percent of the time. We did the 3-Gap ride in North Georgia which was helpful because now I know what it feels like to bike uphill for six miles, and what it's like to gain 4,000 feet of elevation in about 34 miles. Because yes, word is that these rides will be kinda tough out there among the rugged red rocks, sands, hoodoos and arches of Utah. 

If my attitude toward my coming four days of cycling sounds casual, just know that it is and it isn't. This will be a vacation so I'm not going to get too serious about the cycling! However and yet, I do have worries because I'm no spring chicken. There will be a higher altitude to deal with, and I often get a lot of migraine headaches with even a bit of increased altitude. Also, the dryness will create a problem for my eyes, but I've gotten some darker sunglasses with better side protection, and will try one of those little cycling caps (with a little bill/visor thing on it) to help protect my eyes from the glare. I truly think I've sunburned my eyes before, or at least overexposed them to the sun, and I'm really trying to avoid that. 

So, in summary, I'm trying to take it casual and chill but also be prepared and not worry and go forth looking for the best outcomes!