Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Why would we ride across the country?

After biking across the country in 1995 with 3 year old Rebecca in tow, we knew that we wanted to do another ride when the kids could pedal on their own . We didn't think this opportunity would present itself but were hopeful for the chance. With the recent economic downturn and Deb's workload decreasing at the lab due to deferments on capital projects, employees were asked for some creative ideas! Deb thought immediately this trip would be a fabulous way to save her department a bit with the unpaid leave and also a great way to bring awareness to a disease that effects her family as well as many other relatives, friends and co-workers. Money raised will go directly to The Jackson Laboratory's diabetes research programs. Scientists studying this disease are leaders in exploring type 1 diabetes onset, causes, effects and possible treatments. Keep coming back and visit this site to learn more about the disease as well as progress with our fundraising efforts and miles biked! Thanks so much for your interest!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Picture taking and insulin drops

This week I need to determine best way to keep you guys up to date with where we have been through picures and blogging! Really need something like an IPhone and trying a few avenues that don't include me getting into a 2 year contract! Logistics! Yikes! More important is figuring out how to get insulin along the way. Found "Cooler Concepts" on line for keeping insulin cold for up to 40 hours. Evaporative process that is pretty neat. Dunk the bag in water, squeeze out excess water and then store where the air can get to it. We'll have it strapped to Rebeccas water bag on her back. They also had headband with these tiny beads that use the same process. Think we will need on those 100 deg. plus days! Really like the last few days of riding in 35 deg weather...I really am a cold weather person...who picked this southern route??? Oh yeah...ME!!! "I told you so" will soon be banned from my family's vocabulary!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Sunday, April 5, 2009

First Official Training Ride - 4.4.09

Awesome ride yesterday with whole family - 27 miles and fun riding around snow patches on the Park Loop road! Great views of the angry ocean especially at Thunder Hole. Nice to be amongst the very few in the park and with no vehicular traffic yet! We'll miss this beautiful place this summer and dinner with friends last night, makes us sad about leaving them too. James still a bit nervous about the trip...but hey, aren't we all!

Where in the U.S. are the O'Donnells?


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