Back to work

Boy Does reality come at you quick. The Prater bunch feels like our week riding was monumental in the "life experience" file and that our front and rear brakes jolted tight Thurs afternoon when the celebration was over. We were just getting into a groove of riding, feeling tranformed into better people, cycling phenoms, etc and then it was over~
So we're getting ready for the Chico Velo Club's Wildflower Century ride, that's our way back to the euphoria of last week I guess! We're trying to get a group together, most for the 60 mile flatflower or 65 mile Wildflower, anybody else want to jump in??
Anyway, I can't complain much, I'm off to New York in 2 days, so cramming as much work into today and tomorrow as I can to pay for all of March's Madness! A few last pictures that were left over and many thanks to those who contributed to the cause of FA, lets hope a cure comes along soon, we met too many people who are affected by this disease!

Big Finish, Big Wall, Big Cheers

What a finish! Of course it was raining, this is the Northwest after all when we left at 9;15 this morning. There was a trail on most of the ride which was alittle void of the fast traffic- GREAT! We were riding as a group more and that was fun to get to know some of the others on the ride but also alittle more dangerous riding as a group. Lots of railroad tracks and one of the last ones got Adam, he was trying to 4 wheel on his 3 wheel through gravel, rock and berry vines. Didn't work, we got him and his trike back on the trail, only his pride hurt. Glad we were all there to help him, wasn't sure if he could've gotten out of that by himself. Thent he next tracks caught Chris and it was a family wreck, Stephanie and I followed on top of him! We were all fine thankfully, no scratches on the bikes and we were back off to Outback for some warmth, dry conditions and another great meal to finish us up. Karen went out to the truck while we were eating and caught a burglar in our truck- jimmed the lock but he was just there so although he was foiled in getting my laptop, Chris' wallet, etc he did do a small amount of damage- dirty rotten you know what! After the police came, we started on the to big ass hill, this was NO HILL it was a mountain! After only 5 feet, this 21% grade had all but a few walking. we pushed the trikes up and then stationed a few blocks from the finish to ride in filling up one land to a cheering, crying, appreciative crowd. It was so touching to come into a sight of wheelchairs, walkers, and canes cheering and clapping us in. Really heartfelt and we felt back most couldn't join us on the ride or even on bike. The emotion is still with us all, we even felt sad this morning that we weren't getting back on a bike to ride this morning. I'll write more later about the convention, Kyle Bryant is definetly the ROCK STAR of this place and we're all following in his wake. What an accomplishment for us in forwarding the message and raising money! BTW- Stephanie's 29th birthday was yesterday, had a fun dinner at MAMA's in Seattle, great way to celebrater with friends and family.

Dyno Duo and the 3 muskateers

Today was a another giant day for this group, we started off at 8:30 am with 33 turns before lunch and a total ride of 62 miles! The weather cooperated wonderfully, it wasn't to hot, didn't rain, a tailwind! We had a meeting last night to go over all the turns, getting 67 riders to a lunch spot with over 30 miles and that many turns and all degrees of ability and bikes, it was a wonderful accomplishment for all! I'm loving this eating part though, the 3rd day for PB&J's!! Probably my last for another 10 years, but they haven't tasted so good since I was 6. Then Stephanie and I took off strong and made some great time riding in the last few hills with big efforts to make our time of 5 1/2 hours! Hence to ourselves we're now the Dyno Duo and thinking of joining the circuit of something! Haa. Oh the speedy front Chris, John, Ryan Neibuhr and Tess were the first ones in today, sending the Outback Steakhouse group a defeat of their own making! They rode the 62 miles in 4 1/2 hours!!! Chris Prater is now the social director of part of the group and also big guy! He has to get to bed for his early AM Coffee Clatch with the boys!
A few of the others to make mention of who have been so inspriational to all of us;
Adam- a FA patient who made the whole 62 miles and then waiting for a couple who had crashed during today's ride, always thumbs up and positive- we've enjoyed his company and humor so much!
Beth- She is also a afflicted with FA, is a mother of a 4 and 7 yr old, in a wheelchair and her goal was a 100 miles for this trip and she's close, also always positive!
Sean, Sam and Matt- 3 young guys who always ride with strength, fun and never complain! I'll get all their photos posted yet!
Kyle- Without him, NONE of this would happen. He's more than an inspiration, he's a walking momument to living life to its fullest, never complaining or whinning, just going for it!
Another great dinner from Outback tonight, they are AWESOME and our donation total is now over $200,000!!!! At dinner the regional director gave a check for $15,000! What an ending to a great day. Tomorrow we finsh and we're excited.

Hills, Rain and Cold

I'll start with the 8:30 "lift off", it was pouring! There were only a few turns and a small bridge and then the "hills" started. Riding in the pouring rain is a challenge with not being able to see out of your glasses and then sweating because the hill never stopped it seemed. Every time I let out a sigh I thought of those riding with us afflicted with FA on their trikes I stopped and thanked God I am fully able to complete this.
Lunch was quick it was freezing, a quick PB&J and then Stephanie, Tess and I booked it for the motel. The sun came out, the scenery was awesome and the hills were for the most part done.
Let me add the World's Largest Egg pic and then tell you about the amazing job that our support is doing. They feel us breaksfast, lunch and amazing dinner once again by Outback Steak House, they have the motels ready, our bags moved every morning and night, power bars, water, etc everywhere for us.
Outback Steakhouse is the major sponsor of this ride and last night they catered with garlic mashed potatoes, chicken and salmon, salad. Tonight Filets and RIBS!!! Cesar salads, etc catered in a historic train station in Centralia, the mayor came and welcomed us. Around us able bodied are parents, siblings, cousins of those afflicted and we're in awe of all they live with. This is a tough ride and we're nervous about doing it all, but they put life in perspective.
I have to include the BRIDGE from yesterday, it still is tough to think about.
But we're concentrating on being strong for tomorrow, its 62 miles, 33 turns before lunch and "hilly", here we go again, we're hoping for a few degrees warmer ( today's high was 47) and no rain.

We made it the First Day

Hi Friends- What a beginning to this ride. First off, the thoughts of riding 62 miles in the rain and it poured yesterday on the truck ride up from Chico, was daunting at best and frightening besides. We started off at Breaksfast 6 AM, leaving the hotel at 7:30 and started riding in the rain at 9. Portland was really cool, what we saw of it. Snaked our way through downtown traffic and after about 5 miles made it to the industrial section with tons of semi's and logging trucks whissing by at 65 MPH. We stopped for lunch at mile 32, it was great to have the SAG crew there and ready to feed and medicate us if needed.
After lunch we started out in the rain and the rode was nice, still busy road but not I-5 anyway. I got my first flat at about 40, luckily I had a tube, and 2 other riders stopped to help with tools and know how. Then we got to the Lewis and Clark bridge, OMG! It was pouring at this point and this is a steel bridge at least 2 miles long with logging trucks, it is high and scary. I was praying the whole time. I wish I could've gotten a picture but I was to nervous, but riding with Ryan and Jason we made it, coming down the other side was equally scary with trucks screaming down with us. After a few turns in another industrial zone of Kelso, WA we came upon Stephanie who had a flat, we switched hers out and made it to the motel at about 3:30. Enjoy the pictures, pray for no rain tomorrow and check out the links below for GPS tracking and a few media spots we're getting.
Oh, THE BIG NEWS: This ride with 67 riders has raised over $170,000.!!!!!!
Goodbye for now from Kelso, we feeling better than we should and going to a catered dinner from Outback, our big sponsor!
Here's link for GPS tracking and I can't end without mentioning that a friend crashed and is still at the hospital waiting for stitches above her eyebrow, karen Staples is out but not down.

Riding Becky Style

Chris likes to train, I like to enjoy the view, but between us we did ride about 32 miles on Friday and 16 on Sat. The almond blooms were beautiful and the air smelled fresh and fragant before the rain started. Sat we rode up to the old neighborhood and got sidetracked by visiting the old "hood" friends but also picked up another pledge! Thanks Lollie!
Got some rain gear yesterday and a helmut rearview mirror ( wanted to look like Mike Bryant!) We're also packed for the ride and ready to rock and roll, after Mexico that is! Several friends have mentioned we're going in the wrong direction, should be going to Mexico after the ride not before but timing is everything, right??
Here's some of the views from Fridays tour and so far we're up to
$1785.00 in monies raised for FA!!!!! THANKS TO ALL!

There always kayaking

hello Everyone- Well, if the rain gets to bad we're going to Kayak up to Seattle! This was taken Monday afternoon at One Mile in Chico, right in the middle of town if you don't know Chico! Raining, raining, bad for riding, good for our lakes and drought situation. Let's pray for little rain and NO WIND on the big ride. Heading out now to get in another 20 mile or so ride, Chris gets a tooth pulled this afternoon and a bridge removed, doesn't want that as a distraction on the PTS adventure!
We got the ride schedule of miles yesterday, Day 1- 57 miles, Day 2- 42, Day 3-63 MILES, Day 4- 29!

If its Sunday its raining

But if it was Saturday it was beautiful! We rode yesterday with our friend Darcy 31 miles! We rode north of Chico to the river-again- and back home. Weather was good and we've only got 9 days left before we head south to Mexico for the prep work! Ha, we're going to get out of shape probably in the 10 days prior to the ride! Anyway, we're riding everyday it ISN'T pouring. I told Chris we better try one day in the rain to prepare but still no rain gear- oh well. Here is a pic of my new bike, Darcy wouldn't get in the photo op. Had to stop at Scotty's for water, Chris almost came out with 24 oz beers for us to finish with, but withheld himself. He did get flack from the regulars there for his "Bike" attire, not exactly his usual jeans and t-shirt.
Hoping to write more tomorrow with another ride!

Its Raining

Hi All- Training and this blog haven't proved easy. The training is going great through last Friday. I got a new bike! Its a Trek road bike and its my size- a big plus, skinny tires, clip in shoes, and I can almost keep up with Chris on his hot rod BIKE! Here's a picture of it, this biking thing is fun but boy is there alot of things you need to get out and ride in the winter. Layering I am learning, which gloves and socks for keeping me somewhat warm. Its supposed to be decent weather tomorrow and Thurs, will take another picture and start posting! One month from yesterday we start in Portland!
Pray for the best weather that the Northeast can throw our way, hopefully not to bad of wind and/or rain!
We're in the blogging and emails with some of the other riders- coming from as far as the East Coast, everyone is trying to get in some training and figure out rain gear, its fun to be involved.
Fundraising is going really well- I think we're over $1000 THANKS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

New Bike

Hey all, I've come into 21st century bike riding with a new Trek bike! Its so different than the old Wizard of Oz bike. I got good mileage out of my mom's Specialized bike but it was to big ( she was 5'8" ), to heavy, etc. This one is cute per Stephanie, my size, and has skinny tires! Chris rode with me yesterday as I tried out a couple of bikes, this one felt the best and went on sale the day before! I also got riding shoes, clip in, see how long it takes me to figure these out. The weather isn't great today so not sure if I'll attempt it in the rain or not, better not wimp out I guess. I'll send pictures when we get out.

A new Project of Sorts!

Hello All- We're back and on to another project! A little update since last July, we moved into the new version of 860 Filbert last August, Chris had his left knee replaced ( 1/2 of it) on August 8th and our daughter Stephanie got married Sept. 6th in a beautiful ceremony to John Lockwood! We're thrilled to now have a son in law!
Our new project is a BIKE RIDE! And in traditional Prater fashion its a big one, we're participating in a fundraising ride from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA this March 16-19! The whole family is going hopefully, Chris, Becky, Stephanie and John and Cody, if his schedule will allow!Its a ride for long time friend's son Kyle Bryant who has a rare disease called Friedrichs Ataxia. You can read about it at www.rideataxia.org but this blog will document the training we're doing, aches, falls, triumph s and finally the ride itself!
This is the 3rd ride and luckily the shortest but its still 200 miles in 4 days, our goal is to continue Kyle's amazing fundraising and inspiration to others with this disease and all of us to get up and try something new, different and alittle scary!
We're 45 days from the ride and can ride 20 miles without to much Advil afterwards and I'm looking to improve the Wicked Witch bike, Chris bought John's super fancy bike last week and he is way to fast for me now! John is the real "biker" he loves to ride fast and furious, and along way, last Sunday John, Stephanie, Chris and I rode 40 miles from Sac State to the town of Folsom and BACK! I was very impressed by myself, even though cramping at about 30 miles about made me rethink this all!
Anyway, here's a photo of us with Mike, Kyle, Colin and Jina Bryant right after Christmas riding in Chico. Also a couple of us at the Sac river this week, weather is awesome and scenery not bad!