Robin's Personal Training Dairy
( 29 years old, she has 6 weeks to prepare to cycle 4,620 Miles )
This is the only training that Robin had ever done prior to our bicycle journey. In fact, she didn’t even have a bicycle before I met her and she very rarely rode a bicycle except when she was a child.
It wasn’t long after I met Robin that I went out and bought her a Fuji bicycle so that we could ride together. Our bicycle trip wasn’t planned when I first bought her that bicycle. I already had a bicycle and was riding 200 to 300 miles a week when I first met Robin and I just wanted her to be able to ride with me once in awhile. So here are the actual notes from Robin’s original diary. (Some small edits have been done for readability)
I think Robin did an awesome job of getting prepared for the trip, even though she had only 6 weeks to do it.
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| Look at them there leg muscles! |
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April 1st, 1987
This is the first time I rode a bicycle since November. We rode to Santa Monica and back today. My handle bars and seat was too low and my legs couldn’t stretch out all the way and they cramped up. I kept locking my arms on the handle bars and that caused them to get stiff. My butt hurts! Otherwise I feel great. I need to do 21 cycles every 15 seconds and 30 bpiss to be at 65% max at least 15 minutes a day. I noticed I was thirsty for fruit juice also. (PS: I asked Robin what in the world she meant by '30 bpiss' and she laughs pretty hard and says that she doesn't remember.)
I need to narrow down what we will take on this trip. Lists, lists, lists! I think I will take, tights, 1 sweat pants, a zip up sweat shirt, 2 t-shirts, 6 undies, wind breakers, cycling shorts, 3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of sneakers, 1 bra, and 2 gloves. I want to take the trip now!
April 2nd, 1987
It was 45 minutes there and 45 back. It was easier yet harder at the same time. I need to not eat before I ride and get a wider seat, this one hurts. The handle bars must come up, they are too low. My cadence is up and longer. I will buy a special seat and bike shorts today.
April 3rd, 1987
I was up at 7am and it was cold and windy. I will wait until about 10:30 to head out today. My legs are fine and I am warm enough. I thought I would have to turn back at one point because the wind was so bad that I couldn’t see, didn’t feel good either. My face has cuts on it from the sand, but I made it back. I am improving. I can’t wait for a shower!
I am full of sand, sweaty, and hungry too. There were no hikers or bikers on the path till the half-way mark. I only passed 7 the whole time, chickens. I figure I better get used to all kinds of weather. We put $1,000 down on the tandem bicycle today.
April 6th, 1987
Al and I rode together Sat and Sunday. We raced someone on our tandem and won! We met an older Christian couple today. He is in charge of international students in a Christian center.
My cadence is up and my average speed is getting faster. I made it up a big hill today. I must always do hills from now on. We will ride tonight after work.
April 8th, 1987
Yesterday was sort of depressing and I was very tired. The Lord gave me 2 little gifts, He is so funny! I was lazy at first today. I tried to make it in a half hour each way. I made the whole trip in one hour and 20 minutes. I am still improving. God told me to give Rosa $40.00.
April 10th, 1987
I worked today and didn’t ride. I sent a healing letter to a family today that has a child with Spinal Bifida. I’m believing for his healing and for Jesus to become real to his parents.
April 13th, 1987
No riding today. We put the mirror and the bicycle computer on today. I can’t wait to ride tomorrow.
April 14th, 1987
A few days ago, my strap got wound up in the chain. Al got off yesterday and we did 20 miles at 7:30 am. Today we went 45 miles, it was a nice ride. I got sunburn and tired. My right shoulder hurts. We went over many bumps today. I didn’t like the bumps. I had to take a pit stop today to use the potty. We witnessed a little today. All in all, I enjoyed the day very much. We had our first flat. Al had to change it 2 times! Our gears slipped today. Road from 1:30 to 7:30 today.
April 15th, 1987
Today we went 19 miles and our max speed was 31mph, nice ride. I had to stretch at the 15 mile mark, my little toe got numb.
I am discouraged today because someone we know said that it is like a ‘romantic fantasy’, going across America with no system for leading people to the Lord.
Our custom bicycle maps cost us $70.00. We have no more money in our account, no job, just me working 2 days a week. No more complaining - I give it all to God and I won't take it back.
April 22nd, 1987
We rode the tandem home today. We rode 28.46 miles today. 27 max and it took 2 ½ hours. It was a beautiful early noon trip and easy too.
April 23rd, 1987
I see our life beginning to be formed. Team work, we are learning now, witnessing style with love. We are people lovers and God lovers, and self discipline and comfortable in His authority. Someday soon before we are 40 I would like to own a campground with an outdoor church and indoor church during winter, maybe a school and we could preach, teach and have a worship team. A small church for outdoor, in nature and young couples - nontraditional. The Lord is making a way and preparing us.
We did tandem yesterday and we got lots of attention, we were able to witness a lot. I learned I need to use a softer approach. The bike rides beautiful! I love the teamwork and being close with Al and always communicating. We will get our bags next week, I will rest today and do a few odds and ends. Lord gave us our check yesterday, income tax as I confessed He would. The other 2 checks will be here before the end of the week. I am using my believer’s authority and building my faith. I am learning so much. I will work for the Lord the rest of my life. I want to do it full time. I want to be His light and His ambassador. Teach me Lord.
April (No date), 1987
Rode 50 miles today. 35 on my own and 15 with AL. Great day but my legs hurt a little.
April 26th
We rode the bike up the Palos Verdes hill today, hardest yet. God gave me little things of interest to see while I peddled, it helped some. We made it to the top without stopping to rest or walk the bike. Going down wasn’t to fast. Today we will go to the end of the bike path on the strand. I enjoy the team work a lot. We are planning on leaving June 1. I wish it would be sooner. Maps say the coast line will be windy and we will be riding mostly against the wind because we are going up the coast. I pray it won’t.
April 28th, 1987
We rode about 60 miles today, max 35. We rode to the fire road in the Santa Monica range. Hoses were all around. Started at 7:15am ended at 7:30pm. My butt is sore. Stopped at Al’s job. Paycheck, MDR 2 hours. Eat lunch and dinner. We stopped to take a corner and took it to slow and feel off the bike. Went down the hill at 35, it was up and down all day. I got sun burn today major.
April 30th, 1987
Yesterday rode to Michelle and Don house for supper. We slept in the tent, it was warm, it was a nice night. We had breakfast there also. Heavy traffic today but warm, no bugs. We went up a big hill today off the strand to Palos Verdi’s.
May 2nd and 3rd, 1987
Rode to Leo Carello, I got tired we left to late. We camped. I almost stepped on a snake, saw chipmunks playing. We need a tarp for the tent so people don’t admire the bike while we are sleeping and so we can leave the camp. My butt is sore again. Too many guys partying, cant sleep. Raced with a couple today. Left at 8am.We went to church today and saw someone healed.
May 5th, 1987
We went to Roy Mossholders classes. Got Baptized in the Holy Spirit. Saw all kinds of healing. Laid hands on 2 people. God gave me 5 free tapes on healing and baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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