In a couple of weeks Jesse and I will be hopping off a plane in Phoenix and onto our bicycles - headed for Texas. I've been pedaling as much as possible at the YMCA trying to get ready. Because of the nice 35-degree weather, I was even able to ride outdoors yesterday.

There are so many unknowns. I've never done anything like this before. I've never been to the Southwest. We'll be alone and self-supported. What if we break a spoke or get injured? I've never done an uphill century day before, will the climb be too much for me? All these questions do is add to the adventure.

Five hundred and fifty miles, three states, two countries, thousands of feet of climbing, and eight days.

Here's the tentative plan:

Day	From	To	Miles
1	Tempe, AZ	Claypool/Globe, AZ	81
2	Claypool/Globe, AZ	Thatcher/Safford, AZ	108
3	Thatcher/Safford, AZ	Silver City, NM	107
4	Silver City, NM	Lake Roberts, NM	67
5	Lake Roberts, NM	Hillsboro, NM	80
6	Hillsboro, NM	Hatch, NM	41
7	Hatch, NM	Las Cruces, NM	39
8	Las Cruces, NM	El Paso, TX	68

Aside from trying to train for the trip in December, I've been shopping for a few pieces of gear to help out. A new frame pump, a seatpost rack, and panniers (bags) for the bike are the newest additions to my ever-expanding pile of stuff.

Well, enough rambling for the moment. I've got to get to the YMCA and pedal up some imaginary hills.