This is Heidi. I will
be doing some writing on Ollie’s blog while he is riding the Tour Divide so everyone
following him can have some inside information along the way. I will try to keep you up to date as I get
information from him.
Final preparation took place yesterday with Ollie packing
his bags and mounting them to his bike.
One last minute additional item was a winter pare of riding gloves after
experiencing a frigid pre-ride in Banff spring rain. Last night we attended a Q&A evening at a
local bar. Riders socialised and
discussed bike set up. Lots of TC talk.
 |
| Riders socialise at the Q&A evening |
Crazy Larry (the host of the evening)
attempted to comfort and caution riders of the dangers of bears and hypothermia,
only succeeding in cautioning... not comforting. One of his final statements went something
like this ‘It doesn’t matter if you win this race or come last, one thing is
sure.... this race will change you’.
 |
| Crazy Larry |
This morning there was a mixture of feelings floating around
in the air at the WYMCA, where the race begins.
Some riders had the composure of one who is about to go for a fun,
social ride on the weekend with their mates.
The more hardcore looking riders were serious; it’s business time. There was a group photo which I soon became
involved in as a photographer. After
the photos it was an informal start, just grab your bike and go. I lost Ollie in the crowd so didn’t officially
say good-bye, but he knows I love him.
 |
| Ollie is ready to ride |
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| Group photo - this is when I last saw Ollie (middle front) |
What is left? The
scene is this – Women standing, staring blankly down the now empty road that
their husbands, fiancés and boyfriends have just ridden down, now out of sight. Several women are a blubbering mess. I felt like hugging them all and reassuring
them that it’s going to be ok. But I can’t
comfort them ALL so I choose one, Amy from Boise, Idaho. Her fiancé is riding the Divide. We shared race preparation stories as I
walked with her back to her hotel.
Now to the computer to check the tracker. Go Ollie, Ollie, Ollie!
You can follow him at http://tourdivide.org/leaderboard
14 comments:
Thanks for keeping us up to date Heidi!
Ollie is right where he wants to be, eh? At the front (but not yet out the front).
Thinking of you mate. Cyclocross just won't be the same without beating you :)
Good luck!
Fantastic that you are keeping us up to date Heidi. He's riding with some company which will be good for the soul. Any news would be great!
Currently seating in 1st place, go mate go,
Hi Heidi,
great to read your update. I'm sending him lots of go-fast vibes! Hope you are having a fun time too.
cheers Helena
Go you good thing...
I'm a very good friend of Craig's... Their team up looks to be working well. Craig is always a super helpful guy to ride with. They're covering so much ground!
Congratulations!
Congrats ollie and friends, superb riding you dished out. You look happy in the Antelop Wells border picture!
Is Ollie headed home? I can offer a place to stay in San Diego if he's going to be stopping this direction. pbridge130 AT aol DOT com
C'mon Oli, get out of bed and write us a detailed journal of your ride!
Yep, common Ollie we're eagerly waiting...
Perhaps Ollie is lining up movie deals. :) Heck - our family maybe naming a new puppy after him! My 11 year old daughters idea. Nice riding and thanks for sharing your equipment spreadsheet.
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