The Countdown Begins

Suitcases are being packed.

Water bottles filled.

Cars gassed up.

Bicycle racks loaded.

Indeed, Viva Catie is about to begin. This afternoon, the Viva Catie team will depart from Clarksville and head to Columbia to gear down for the night. Tomorrow morning, 0600, the clock will begin. Six days later, as my grandmother would say "Lord-willing and if the creek don't rise", the team will ride into Austin, Texas.

I've asked many of the riders to tell me why they ride and I will be sharing those with you along the way, but I am struck by how many of them tell me they ride to overcome the impossible, to shatter both personal and perceived expectations, to leave their mark on this world just like the one Catie left.

Logistics are being handled in great detail, and the impossible is being planned. I would venture to guess, however, that not many of us are prepared for the way this ride will change us. Watching, living life this loudly, participating in the overcoming of the impossible must leave its mark.

Thank you for coming along with us.

Thank you for cheering Viva Catie II onto the impossible.