Why hello there! Blog number two and where to begin?!? The count down is now 51 days til take off. HOLY MOLY! Since my last update I have purchased a bike – the Trek Lexa SLX (it’s pretty lettme tell ya). On Wednesday I went on my first actual ride on my bike which was SO EXCITING. Six other I4K’ers and I went 21 miles. I fell four times no worries I’m in one piece. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for one of my brand new bike shoes. On my fourth fall the clip broke apart from the shoe! So tomorrow I have to take the shoes to Champaign Cycle and see what they can do. Saturday the whole team is going on a 37 mile ride!What was that? Oh you want details about my first ride? Well, I bundled up a lot and found that underarmor is amazing! I mean, I guess I knew this before but it’s truly breathable and keeps your body at just the right temp. I found that my hands were a tad bothersome but this can be fixed with a minor bike-handlebar adjustment. Also my (as I referred to it on the ride) lady-part was in some pain but it’s to be expected I guess and I will get used to it is what I am told. My falls were not while I was in motion but when I was standing still. Sounds silly right? But you have no idea – clip in pedal/shoes are CRAZY! It takes me forever to clip in and clipping out is really hard to do while you are falling hahahaha. All falls were when I had one foot clipped in and one out standing on ground, I would lean to the other side – only slightly – and then BAM! I’m on the ground. So I got my first few bruises and cuts but I still LOVED the experience. I also managed to get a gnat stuck on my tooth so at least my sunglasses protected my eyes!On Saturday night after the ride it’s the event to showcase some portraits and the documentary “What People Do”! I’m so pumped for that and wanna mention that Gabrielle, Mary, and the Portraits Committee have really really worked hard so EVERYONE SHOULD DEF COME! It’s going to be an amazing time and plus don’t ya wanna see me in person to make sure I’m still standing after 37 MILES?!?! Ok well now I must run (not literally cuz it’s midnight thirty),Ellie