A Big Thanks

Chris here.

I wanted to take a quick moment to give a big round of thanks to all my friends and family who have inspired, encouraged, prodded and generally supported me over this past year.  Thanks, everyone!

If you would like to check my progress during the ride, we are wearing id chips that will register what time we reach each control (required stop) along the course.  You can go here and type in my frame (race) number, which is 8248.  This is the first year they've done this, so there may be a few glitches, and I'm not sure how often they update the info.

I have to admit that I'm a bit nervous.  But I am looking forward to the challenge and the experience.  Thanks again to everyone for your support!  --Chris

Amy here.

I may have more butterflies in my stomach than Chris does.  I echo his gratitude and love to each of you - the responses we've received to our attempts at "blogging" are heart warming.  Chris deserves most of the credit for getting this far - but our family and friends have made the journey that much more meaningful.  Thank you.

We will make every effort to keep our blog updated over the next two weeks.  I am so excited to meet the thousands of other riders and their "cheerleaders" who are making their way to France as I write this post.  It's a pilgrimage of sorts. It's bigger than a cycling event.  It's a testament to what an individual can do with equal parts inspiration and determination.  It's about risk taking - betting on yourself and your abilities.  How often do we really allow ourselves to take that kind of risk?  Not nearly as often as we should or could.

I'm not a betting woman, but in this case, I'm putting everything on #8248.  The risk is so worth taking.  We've got nothing to lose because we've already won. 

Love to you all.  --Amy & Chris