Tears of Freedom: Planning Our First Trip of 2021
First Trip of 2021!
With COVID-19 vaccines going into circulation I am starting to believe that one day I will be able to venture somewhere other than my house and work. In anticipation of this day, Dave and I have a very big event planned in August for our first trip of 2021.
Traveling With Good Intention
ODRAM, or the One Day Ride Across Michigan, is a ~144 mile ride from Lake Michigan to Lake Heron. You can imagine a ride across Michigan is predominately flat and dominated by corn. As someone who LOVES rides of attrition, I am pretty excited. But I am PUMPED that this ride also serves to support JDRF, juvenile diabetes research foundation.
JDRF is a phenomenal organization. I don’t know if you knew this, but they usually host rides! “Rides for a Cure.” Dave and I were supposed to participate in one of these events last October. The Death Valley 100. Sadly the pandemic has forced JDRF to cancel these rides! A large proportion of JDRF fundraising comes from events like these. Without them JDRF has been forced to cut research funding, as well as jobs. As someone who is reaping the benefits of JDRF research and funding, I am both a Tandem pump user as well as Dexcom user, I am devastated. Going on the closed loop pump system, a system that research was partially funded by JDRF, I know first hand that the research funded ultimately changes lives.
Given my travel Resolutions the ODRAM ride is a perfect trip for 2021! ODRAM is our opportunity to fundraise for an organization that is near and dear to our hearts! Not to mention we have merged ODRAM with our WEDDING! Yup… you heard me right! Dave and I are planning our wedding around ODRAM, and we cannot wait. Just imagining our wedding pictures with crisp cycling tan lines is making me smile right now.
On that note, Dave and I are requesting donations to JDRF in place of wedding gifts! Feel free to donate here!
In 2018 we completed ODRAM together, and I still brag about it. It was my first endurance event and I think we were all shocked I finished. In terms of quality of event I highly recommend it. The event is well organized, and offers transportation in either direction. The start and finish are in close proximity to hotels and resorts. There are an abundance of rest stops, which includes a hot breakfast, and support. Not to mention the many gas stations along the route that can be used as impromptu rest stops. Although, Dave and I have been lucky enough to have family and friends support us on our trek.
If you are interested in an endurance event, century plus, but have yet to participate in one. I highly recommend ODRAM. The first 80 miles are slightly uphill, and the remainder of the terrain is downhill. Except for one year, 2014, the course is usually accompanied by a tailwind. Knowing our luck in 2020 and so far in 2021, we will probably have a head wind this year.
In terms of training for this trip… I am currently in the pre-contemplative stage of training for our first trip of 2021. Since lockdowns started I really haven’t felt comfortable nor have I wanted to bike. We are a YEAR from my last bike ride, and SEVEN MONTHS from this endurance event. At least I know Diabetes won’t be a barrier to my training schedule.
I think the most important part of this plan should be… Can we find wedding themed bike kits? Should my helmet have a veil?
Thinking about doing ODRAM?
Click here for the Newbie’s Guide to ODRAM!
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