"Some Attention for my Sweetheart"

But first I took Claudette out for lunch.

Then I spent the entire afternoon with my other "best girl"

I gave her new rim tapes.

If you're not familiar with these, they go on the inside of the rims to prevent the tube from blowing out through the spoke holes.

New tubes.

Twenty bucks apiece!

The blue race tires.

Man they look good!

New batteries.

If I get tired I'll simply use the battery backup...just kidding...they're for my speedometer.

A new chain.

Actually I put it on before I left home but I took it apart again and cleaned it.

Some wonderful high tech lube.

It goes on wet and then dries.

A complete cleaning and tuneup

Including tightening all her bolts!

A new Bento box.

For tubes, wrenches, CO2 cartridges, ass wipe etc

And doesn't she look fast!

Or at the very least, pretty.
Just like my wife!

I had a good day today. As hoped for, working on my bike really relaxed me. I actually did spend about 5 hours with it. This morning I also rode an easy 30 kms and felt quite relaxed. As I mentioned yesterday I've been feeling a little overwhelmed. And despite my protestations to the contrary I have even been worrying a little that maybe I won't live up to expectations. I feel a sense of responsibility to all those who have been so supportive for the last 2 years. If I don't do this thing successfully I will have let you down, and let myself down. That's really been bothering me, but somehow today I started to move past it. While I still believe that I have a tremendous responsibility to repay all the love, kindness, and support I have been given by so many, I suddenly realized that it has nothng do do with swimming, cycling or running, and certainly nothing to do with 12 hours! My responsibility to each and every one of you, and to myself, is so much simpler. My responsibility is about having fun, about letting my spirt soar, (thanks Elly) about celebrating life, about feeling proud, about using this experience to add value to my life and to the lives of those around me, and yes Mary about being safe.

This new responsibility I accept willingly.

I realize now that if I let the success or failure of this whole thing from a physical perspective become a reason for sadness or happiness, then I will cheapen the whole journey that I have been on, and that so many others have shared with me. I promise that I will not let that happen.

Oh, by the way, I still plan on finishing in 12 hours!

I wish to dedicate day 340 to my number one son Peter. May he discover all the things he needs out of life and may he find his responsibilities fulfilling.

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach."---Tom Robbins

“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of."---Jim Rohn

“Every person is responsible for all the good within the scope of his abilities, and for no more"---Gail Hamilton

love
peter