Final Prep_T minus 1 Day_ Mb2Cb 2012 Tour Start

After two years of training and six months of planning the Mb2Cb 2012 Tour begins tomorrow. As you can imagine, taking 5 weeks off from your life to go and goof off, isn't a trivial thing. In order to pull off that type of epic irresponsible behavior, a guy needs enablers. To that end I'd like to thank my wife Liz, who knew better than to try and talk any sense into me and who will have to jump through hoops with her job schedule and at home to make up for my absence. I'm pretty sure most spouses wouldn't be so understanding and I'll do my best to make it up when she leaves on her own adventure later this year. I want to thank my 92 year old dad, who cannot understand why anyone would want to ride a bicycle when there's a perfectly good car sitting on the driveway. He had real trouble with me making this ride, but is finally warming up to the idea. To my son Eric, his Christmas and b-day gift cards went a long way toward outfitting me for this ride. To my daughter Mel, who encouraged me to embrace social media as a way of sharing this adventure with family and friends and who is cheering for me from the Big Apple. To my other daughter Lorie, who's shares my sense of adventure and who lent me her friend Skeets for part of this tour. I want to thank the Board of Directors of the Medina Community Library, who didn't even bat an eye when I asked for the 5 weeks off. Many, many, thanks to the paid staff and volunteers of the Library who will step in and take over my responsibilities. I hate to admit it, but it will likely be weeks before they figure out I'm gone. Finally thanks to all of you who have offered well wishes and encouragement. I very much appreciate all of you.

If you're curious what a librarian takes along on a five week bicycle tour and how much it all weighs you can view a detailed list at this link;

Randy's Mb2Cb Gear List

Tomorrow morning Liz will transport Skeets, me, our bicycles and gear from our home in Bandera to Del Rio, Texas. Skeets and I will cross over into Cuidad Acuna, Mexico on our bikes and then point our wheels north, back across El Rio Grande del Norte, and begin the Mb2Cb 2012 Bicycle Tour. I'm excited!! Here's a few photos of final prep and packing. Next posting... from the road!!