Prologue

Ever since I graduated from the University of Oregon in 1992 and moved out of state, my mother has been sending me two types of clippings from the Oregonian newspaper:  Employment ads for jobs in the Portland area, and any news related to Cycle Oregon.  While she eventually gave up on the Portland-area job listings, the Cycle Oregon clippings kept on coming.

And coming.

And coming.

Year after year after year.

I figured the only way to get her to stop was to actually sign up and do the ride.  Since I was turning 50 this year, I thought Cycle Oregon would be a wonderful way to commemorate this landmark birthday.  I went online the moment registration opened, paid my $895 registration fee, bought thousands of dollars of camping and cycling gear, drove 13 hours to John Day, and then spent seven days on a bicycle, my quads burning and my butt glued to a saddle that was only minimally softer than concrete.

So, mom - are you happy now???

(PS:  You can stop sending me the newspaper clippings!)