OK, my blog, my rules, and today I'm going to update the blog at the *beginning* of the day.  First of all because it's a beautiful sunrise.  Secondly because I think what's most interesting about today is the emotional state I'm in now, anticipating the ride.  Today is the first day we're really going to be in the middle of nowhere.  We had a group meeting last night because we're facing 74 miles of truly no civilization.  Not even houses.  Nothing.  So there's an air of anticipation. Things got a bit mixed up emotionally because we heard about a cyclist with a similar organization who was struck and killed by a driver.  She was only 22.  I personally feel perfectly safe out here.  We use very safe maps and ride defensively, and I have thousands of miles of experience.  Still, you never know.  I'm more concerned honestly about getting a bit lost and then running out of water; something more pedestrian like that.  I'll let you know on the other side!