Let the BRAN fun begin

After months of training, the time has arrived to embark on a new endeavor - BRAN 29. If you were up and about between Trenton and Cambridge on Sunday morning, then you likely saw hundreds of bicyclists cruising east on Highway 6&34. I will be one of them. There are several other riders from McCook, including my training-mate, Candy Crosby, as well as cyclists from surrounding towns who are taking on this week-long adventure.

The Bike Ride Across Nebraska officially begins Sunday morning in Trenton and then proceeds eastward across the state, ending just west of Omaha on Saturday. Over the course of the week, we will travel anywhere from 55 to 85 miles a day.

This is my first attempt at BRAN, although I've always wanted to try it or RAGBRAI (the larger, hillier version across Iowa). With the starting point so close, it is the ideal time to try a long-distance bike ride.

While BRAN is a camping excursion, I must admit that I am sleeping in my own bed prior to the Trenton kick-off and will return home again from Cambridge before camping the next five nights. By the end of the week, we should have our fill of camping, especially my family since we are taking all seven kids along on the trip.

I will try to blog each afternoon after the ride, providing that my hands aren't numb from the vibrating handlebars.

So, give the cyclists a wave...give us a wide berth...give us a prayer that we will return with only fond memories and sore tushes.