Hi Everyone --- Whoa ..... was it hot today or what?  Spencer and I did 40, taking the long way to National Airport and back.  We need to get out into the country and ride, though.  Bike trails are wonderful and we have some great ones around here.  But, to do more than 40 miles and get a good idea of what my average speed is going to need to be in October, we need to go out and ride some routes on country roads.  

Remember ---- hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.   And don't just drink water, but include some sport drink to keep everything in balance.  I detest Gatorade but I gotta drink it or I don't feel so good on a hot day like today.  

A big welcome goes out today to new rider Bill Hanson from St. Louis.  Bill has experience in going the distance on some long bike rides and he is joining up with the Fernandez, Manrique, Hanson Team to help cure myotonic dystrophy.  Welcome Bill!!!!

Thought for the day --  some times when things look and feel tough, just go for a small win on anything.  Savor it for just a small moment and then go for another small win.  Before you know it, you've ridden up that climb from Georgetown past Massachusetts Avenue to Bethesda -- about 3 miles steady up hill.   

Thanks for the opportunity to do that and to try to make a difference in the process.

You all are golden,

Mike

Hi everyone and we hope you are having a great Sunday so far.  This is the kick off blog for this year's Miles for Muscles ride.  We hope to be sharing stories and information, anecdotes and discoveries as we progress through the summer training and preparation season - looking toward the October 9th ride.  

We call it a ride, but already the 'Ride" has morphed into more.  Some participants have decided to be crew members -- supporting the event with their fundraising and help when we hit the longer training rides.  Roger Fernandez and Lynne Manrique has embarked on a series of hiking adventures that will take them 100 miles over the course of the summer.  We hope they will join us at the ride that starts in Salisbury on October 9.  

More riders/crew/hikers, et. al. are on the way.  Bill Hanson from the Richmond, VA area joined the Ride this week. Welcome, Bill!   We know we have 3-4 riders about to register and the outreach efforts we have mounted will produce more.  We are linked to several bike shop sites and Faeebook pages.  We have introduced ourselves to the local media and businesses where we think participants and support have potential.  Your ideas for ways to promote our work would be great --- so share your ideas on the blog or email me at mikehamlin1@comcast.net.  I will talk to anyone if you thing that would be helpful.  So, please just let me know if that would help. 

For me, the commitment to a cure grew even stronger with a report this week from my daughter, Erin. Her genetic test results show she does not have the trait on chromosome 19 that causes myotonic dystrophy.  Great news!  But also ...  stronger resolve than ever to do what is needed to get a cure for all the kids and adults with myotonic dystrophy.  Erin is a crew member and will be supporting the Ride in the Hampton, VA area.  

Dr. "Mani" at UVA and other researchers are nearing that cure and our help can make the difference.  It's in the 90s here in DC today and I'm headed for my trike to take a training ride. Later, we're going next door where Crew Member Mary Ellen will help us pound some pasta. 

So, it's a happy day indeed.  Take care and thanks once again. 

Mike

202-277-8537

mikehamlin1@comcast.net