In case you're wondering, "Is riding coast-to-coast a way to lose weight?", I unscientifically estimate that we will consume approximately 400,000 calories each over the course of the ride. Allowing a ten percent margin of error, that means I can eat up to 360,000 calories at breakfast the first day and still be okay for the trip. Extra whipped cream on the pancakes!

"What's in those bags on your bike?" I'm glad you asked: 3 undies, 3 pairs of socks, 4 cycling shirts, 1 pair of cycling shorts for alternate days, rain wear, walking shorts, leg warmers, 1 reflective vest, 1 lightweight long pants, 1 light fleece, 1 light wool shirt, walking sandals, broadbrim hat, a load of maps, camp stove, 2 pots, 2 cans of propane, sporks (combination spoon/fork), nylon rope, TP, instant oatmeal, hot chocolate, peanut butter, dish detergent, sunscreen, tent, ensolite sleeping pad, cable lock, small tools, chain lube, 4 spare inner tubes, 1 spare tire, spare spokes, headlight, taillight, reading light, cell phone charger, 2 camera battery chargers, thermometer, batteries, GPS, mini-tripod, minor first-aid stuff, camera, passport, personal hygiene stuff, spare glasses, crossword puzzle book, book about Lewis & Clark, blank journal, and a credit card. My sleeping bag goes on Michele's bike since I'm carrying the tent. Roy is down to the essentials: one change of underwear, sleeping bag, bottle of Tang and a bottle of rum.

We will try riding fully-loaded today to see how it feels, to see if anything breaks, to see if I really need that fourth shirt.

Terror grows! I caught Michele researching symptoms to see if she could feign diptheria as an excuse for not riding. Still, we're anxious to get started. We're tired of talking about the ride instead of riding the ride. A week from today, we'll be pedaling through Tillamook in the rain. Yipes!