Where everybody knows your name

7am rolled around this morning and we were woken up with a blasting of the theme song from Cheers. Thanks to a year of student teaching I'm on the early rise cycle so I was already awake. This was nice because it allowed me to start singing along. We listened to Shippin up to Boston and Love that Dirty Water during breakfast. The first real activity of the day was a guest speaker explaining basic bike maintenance and repairs as well as cycling safety. It was here I found out that everyone knows a lot more about bikes than I do. I didn't even know how to change a flat but this tuning crash course gave me the confidence to repair my bike in any minor way necessary. We learned some cool safety moves and manuvers today as our leaders put on a small clinic. I may not have all the cool upgrades and customization jobs that other kids have, but I handle my bike pretty well just the same. In the afternoon we donned all our spandex and set up to go on a shakedown ride. This was just a short ten mile ride to get used to small pack riding, communicating with others, and getting a feel for the road. It was a little tease but we did a nice stretch along a beautiful beach in Winthrop and went into the Boston bay area. I've gone by there via boat before but nothing quite matches the majestic view from a bike...simply stunning. The night time was filled with an overview of how the organization uses money raised to make an impact. The had an abrupt transition into a presentation of what happens to your butt after riding 70 miles a day in sweaty spandex and chafing with every pedal stroke. They showed us pictures, but take my word for it that the results are beyond unpleasant. Hopefully I will stay free of saddle sores all summer long. An early happy father's day to all the dads out there. The journey begins for real in 9 hrs 57 min