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!