Day 4: the practice ride and kick off dinner

Well, today was the big training ride! Here are some pictures of our wet, yet successful trip from Washington University's campus and around Mercer Island. I thought that I wouldn't be in riding shape but I did just fine and I feel like I'm even more prepared than some other guys. Andrew stayed toward the front of the group.
Some UofW alums brought us some pretty good pizza for lunch.




We did some interviews today too! In the morning before the ride, I went on camera for King 5 and answered some questions about the Journey of Hope. Hopefully I don't look like a fool. Andrew chickened out. But, later at our Kick-Off Dinner, the four of us from Washington did radio interviews that should come up on 710 Kiro tomorrow (Wednesday). I feel kinda funny talking with reporters and stuff, especially being on camera. I'm getting better at it though. We've also got more interviews for us lined up along the way. The P.R. has been really great so far and we think it will keep up at least while we're in Washington. We went to dinner at Buca di Beppos, an Italian place. The food was served family style, everyone at tables passed it around. It was really good, especially this meat ball I had. We had a decent showing of friends and family there. It will probably be bigger next year because this was the first time. Oh yeah! Us two plus Rodney (the Public Relations crew member) got our hair cut at Don's Daughter Donna's Barber Shop. It was nice to see her and she was only the fourth person Rodney (from Louisiana) had let cut his hair. Here are some more pictures from our trip to the barber shop and our Kick-Off Dinner.


Below is andrew and wes, wes is in charge of community relations along the trip. (thank you cards and things)

here are Jake, Nick and Chad in order from right to left. nick is from our Miami U. Ohio chapter and Chad is from our University of Colorado chapter.