Let the Sunshine In

Yes, the Bagleys have managed to drive to Florida with bikes and bags. It is 92 degrees in St Augustine and we were sweating like crazy just unloading all the stuff from the car. Guess we better acclimate, huh? Tonight we will explore around St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. founded in 1565. The Fountain of Youth is just down the street so chances are you will not recognize any of our blog pictures or us in person when we return. Tomorrow we drive north to St. Simon's Island Georgia to visit our daughter Sylena for a few days and deliver the car to her that made it possible to get here. The Subaru Impreza has served us well and as we turn it over to her, our official mode of transportation will become "bicycles". She will bring us back to St Augustine and depending on weather, we will start riding at the end of this week. Norb just killed a spider on the bed in our musty St Sebastian River-side room. Let the adventure begin.

Countdown

Wow, one week until we head to Florida. We have done the final adjustments on the bikes and now just have to manage to get all this stuff into these bags. The idea of weighing them is somewhat of a scary proposition. I am experiencing a combination of excitement mixed with a little trepidation. I think it will probably be that way until we head out of St Augustine. Kudos to Sunshine Bike Shop who has been generous and helpful in assisting us to prepare us for this challenge. Gotta run, I just thought of two more things to throw on the pile.

"Takin' Care of Business"

It's crunch time to get out letters & emails for the cause. We feel, at times, like we are drowning in paperwork but once we hit the long road, that will be behind us. Then it will just be trying to master the technology that will keep us connected to you, this site, and the great big wonderful world out there. Now our focus is on GEAR: bikes, bags, stuff, stuff & more stuff. The bags have been sprayed with waterproofing and piles to put in them are starting to build up. We have some pre Miracle Ride celebrating to do as we both will be turning another year older before we head out: but, NO decade changes this year. Thanks to all for your support!

Miracle Ride

Six weeks to ride time. We have a" Ticket to Ride " beginning Monday Sept. 20th starting in St. Augustine, Florida. Our training and departure schedule were interrupted by a pesky pinched nerve in Norb's neck. [ the result of a bone spur ] Thanks to Doctors Hugh Harris and Charlie Mace for their consults and Dr. Rusty Bond for his outstanding care , the situation is improving. Kudos to the staff at the Martin Center who found the culprit with an MRI, and Cox Home Support for the rental of a home cervical traction unit.[although the stretching is not making Norb any taller--yet.] Thanks also to Josh at Sunshine Cycles who tweaked Norb's bike so he can ride in a more upright position [Peewee Herman style] to reduce neck/shoulder stress. Sometimes it does take a village to get you through some tough times. Heather Zoromski and staff at CMN have been working hard to help us get organized for what this ride is really all about. To raise money for CMN so kids can receive financial assistance for needed medical care. So --- strap on those pedometers you fantastic Cox walkers and join us for this 3100 mile adventure to SanDiego, California. For everyone else---- make a donation to CMN--- it will make you feel good about yourself. Norb & Ann

Let's Get Organized!

Oh boy, our first new posting to our very first blogspot. We had a great photo shoot with some of the Miracle Kids and that picture appears on our donation letter. What an inspiring group to ride for. An exact departure date from St. Augustine, Florida is still being considered as we work through logistics of getting us and our bikes to the starting point. Anyone headed to Florida in late August? We'll buy the gas. We are in the process of:

• making lists and more lists
• gathering equipment
• getting reacquainted with Shirley (Ann's Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike) and Serotta (Norb's trusty cycle)
• trying to improve our skills with blogspots and laptops
• watering/feeding tomatoes and hoping for some ripe ones before we depart
• reviewing, studying, and marking maps
• preparing ourselves for separation anxiety from our dog, Zenee
• sending out letters about the upcoming ride-stay tune

The Bagleys' 2008 ride: a look back

Norb and Ann Bagley are preparing for their “Miracle Ride” across the United States this fall, but it isn’t the first time they’ve traversed the nation to benefit CMN. Below is the piece that appeared in CoxHealth Connection after their first ride in 2008. Will their second trip generate as many friends and adventures as their last? We’re betting so:

When most people think of a bike ride, they’re picturing an afternoon trip along a Greenways trail. And when they think of charity, they’re imagining a payroll deduction for a cause.

Former Chief Operating Officer Norb Bagley and his wife, Ann, tend to think on a larger scale.

Both longtime cyclists, Norb and Ann had always wanted to put their athletic skills to the test by riding across the United States. This spring, they decided to make the journey and help others at the same time by raising money for Children‘s Miracle Network.