Brief update for our Coastal friends,

from the community of Dease Lake, BC:

Team dynamics are good; most riders are in high spirits. Good health except for Ky's and my bum knees. (I had a spill out of Prince George that seems to've inflamed the already existing patelo-femoral syndrome in my left knee. Currently trying to assess my situation, as I have the same problem Ky does; not sure if I can continue cycling everyday, may have to join him on foot and in helping out the support vehicles.) Laura found out she has a Ganglean cyst on her right knee that will eventually require surgery; in the meantime she's riding safely though often uncomfortably.

Oliver, Travis and Jason took off for Dease Lake at 3am on Monday for a 207-mile "triple challenge" day to Dease Lake. Their motivation was to ride on behalf of Oliver's father (d. of brain cancer); Travis's stepmom (d. of ovarian cancer); Jason's cousin (who has MS); myself (survivor); and Emily's sister Meredith (d. of leukemia). Their schedule allowed them three days off after one day's grueling journey, the third on which they met up with the other 19 of us doing the scheduled three 70-milers. Tomorrow we proceed as a 22-person team.

Aside from mostly high spirits, folks are generally fatigued, physically - may just be a typical lull. We're all fine, simply have achy muscles and joints. Day Fifty seemed tougher on our bodies than Day Fifteen - a surprise for everyone. Nevertheless, we're great. We're getting more and more creative at rest stops, re: games, snacks, etc. (Paul W and Jeff G no longer hesitate to make honey-jelly-and-salami sandwiches for themselves as an afternoon pick-me-up. Dis. Gus. Ting.) And sure, we bicker on occasion, and there's the predictable drama every few days. ( E.g: Don't bring up Oreos, tackle boxes, or chamois-panties when our groups reunite; all points of heated contention for reasons about which you'll perhaps soon hear and understand.)

On the whole, however, we're staying unified and growing only closer - coming to appreciate one anothers' quirks and flaws and God-awful habits. (Heads up: Oliver snores; Lily's a neat freak; and pigstye Griswold buys every stupid souvenir you can imagine, then uses the van doors to store them.) But oh, how ever shall we part ways in August?

Jennifer, Krysta, and Mione: special howdies from me. :-) Hope y'all's estrogen levels are strong and somewhat equal out that of the testosterone of your male Coastal teammates. We'll have a girls' night in Whitehorse when we meet up. Yay for mud masks, manicures and ice cream!

Much love and many hugs,

Lily Lou