Here we go again!

Was I planning on riding the PALM again this year?  No, not really.  I knew Sam wanted to go, though, so I never really counted it out as a possibility.  Then as the deadline to sign up got closer, Debbi Atherton, a friend and coworker of Jeff's mentioned that she would like to go again.  So I thought some more.  Then we found out we could register for free.  How can you turn that down??  :) 

The route this year is a southern route.  Starting in Bridgman and ending in Monroe at Sterling State Park.  As luck would have it, it passes straight through Hillsdale and one night is spent at Jeff's high school in Hudson!  Because the school is hosting a night, they get so many free registrations as a thank you, and Debbi managed to get 4 for us.  So our only cost this year will be food for the week and any bike "stuff" we want for the ride.  This year's group includes me, Sam, Debbi, and Aaron is even going to join us for 2 legs!  He will ride on a tag-along with me from Coldwater to Hudson and then hopefully he'll ride the last day with us to cross the finish line and be a part of the parade.

Day 1:  Bridgman to Dowagiac - 42 miles

 

 

Day 2:  Dowagiac to Three Rivers - 52 miles



 

 

Day 3:  Three Rivers to Coldwater - 53 miles



 

 

Day 4:  Coldwater to Hudson - 53 miles (the black X is our house!)

 

 

Day 5:  Hudson to Dundee - 50 miles

 

 

Day 6:  Dundee to Sterling State Park, Monroe - 21 miles

This is what Aaron's tag-along bike will look like:

 

There is no way we can expect his legs to last 50 miles, so this is our best option.  He and I have ridden with one plenty before, and he can push us right along if I ever want to rest my legs a bit! 

 

Now we just have to get rid of this snow so we can start riding and getting in shape.  I hope I don't regret this!