Now that I'm 35 years old, there are two time-honored traditions in which I must partake: a mid-life crisis and my first HOLIDAY LETTER! More about the crisis later, first an update on the year.

I'm still biking a bizillion miles on the roads every summer and mountain biking the rest of the year. I cycled down to the Wilde reunion in Lakeville in May (loved the cheering crowd when I arrived!). I had friends up to Mom's cabin in Brainerd a couple of times to bike and cross-county ski. I bought a spanky new car last Spring. I got my braces off in August (I kinda liked being mistook for being 21!).

Since '92, I've been working for Analysts International Corporation. I enjoy the challenge and flexibility of working as a computer consultant for AiC. I was on contract at Norwest Banks for three years and have been at American Express Financial Advisors (formerly IDS) since August.

I've been actively involved in performing and administration with the City of Lakes Chorus. We're a 110-member women’s a cappella chorus that's part of Sweet Adelines International. In Grand Forks this Spring we won our regional contest which qualifies us to compete internationally in Ft. Lauderdale next October. Last Fall we placed 6th at internationals in Reno and hope to improve on that in '96. We hosted a show in May, gave three big holiday concerts in December, and sang at the Mall of America. After all day at the computer, singing gives my creative side a good workout.

Oh yes, that early mid-life crisis... 1995 was time to do something BIG and ENTIRELY DIFFERENT in my life. For a couple of years I'd dreamed about a cross-country bicycle trip, but never really thought it possible. But everything fell into place and it was time to DO IT! My new roommate, LeAnn, had biked across the USA in '89 and encouraged me to go for it. I bought another bicycle (yes, my 3rd bike), one designed for the rigors of touring, and trained hard all winter and spring. In June, I packed everything I needed in life into one suitcase and headed off for ADVENTURE!

I flew to California and met my 27 new close, personal friends. Together, with the terrific staff of America by Bicycle and riders that joined for various portions of the trip, we began our journey. In San Francisco we dipped our wheels in the Pacific and set our sights on the Atlantic. We wondered: What had we gotten ourselves into? Were we completely out of our minds? Should we have started with a smaller country? At least we were all crazy together.

Here are some highlights: Cycled across the Golden Gate Bridge. Conquered Donner Pass in the Sierras. Got blasted by a blizzard near Lake Tahoe (what's the wind chill going 45 MPH down a mountain at 20°?). Had our picture in the Daily Sparks Tribune. Strolled through the mighty metropolis of Winnemucca. Was blown across the Salt Flats. Went alpine sliding in Utah. Experienced road kill show-and-tell. Was defeated by 50 MPH head winds. Barely outran a rainstorm. Escaped flooding in Colorado. Climbed seven miles to 11,312 feet through Monarch Pass in the Rockies. Tried to get arrested by prison guards on the way to Pueblo. Enjoyed the fragrant Scenic Overlook of a cattle yard. Whooped it up at Miss Kitty's Saloon in Dodge City. Detoured our pace line through a wheat field. Sampled sophisticated libations at a Kansas winery. Decorated our bikes with flags and streamers for the 4th of July. Pounded nearly 400 hills one day in Missouri. Got stranded in a bar during a hail storm in Quincy (bummer). Toured a grain elevator in Illinois. Got a Harley Davidson tattoo (don't worry, it washed off). Cruised a lap on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Survived three grueling 100 mile days in 100° heat on melting tar in Ohio. Encountered the Czechoslovakian cyclists. Took a boat cruise on the Finger Lakes in New York and embarrassed our host. Broke my chain ascending the Berkshires. Trashed my tire on some glass. Dove into the Atlantic Ocean!

When it was all over, we'd conquered 3 mountain ranges, 7 weeks, 13 states, 46 riding days, 83 miles/day average, 3800 miles total, and lived to tell about it. I was in great shape and my back gave me few problems. I had the time of my life!

Including the trip, I cycled over 6000 miles in 1995! Now our friends have been kidding LeAnn and I about what we'll do next to top our accomplishments of cycling across America... maybe bike around the world? Well, as a matter of fact... Y E S !

We've registered for Odyssey 2000! For 366 days, from January 1 through December 31, in the year 2000, we'll bicycle AROUND THE WORLD! We'll ride 22,700 miles, 48 countries, and every continent except Antarctica. We'll average 86 miles/day and 5 riding days/week. We'll cycle in the USA, Mexico, Central America, South America, the West Indies, Canada, Europe, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Hawaii!

The tour is organized by a very experienced company from Seattle. It's limited to 250 riders and will have 34 staff members and 14 support vehicles. The tour provides a custom Odyssey 2000 bicycle, transportation, two meals/day, lodging (60% camping and 40% indoors), gear transport, as well as medical and mechanical assistance.

But this is no cushy ride... We'll bike over steep mountains, out in searing heat, through sand storms in the deserts, into dense jungles, against unrelenting winds, in the cold pouring rain, and probably even in the snow! (Wait a minute... can I still back out? No, no, I'm GONNA DO IT!)

The challenge is daunting. At least it's still four years away. We have some serious training to do. The financial commitment is staggering but we plan to raise funds to offset the costs. I guess we've got a bit of work ahead of us!

Some days I think I surely must have lost all grip on reality this time. But if you know my mother, you know where I got my adventurous spirit from. There's so much to experience in this wonderful and diverse world and so few of us get that opportunity. I'm not letting my chance pass by. In 2000, I'll turn 40 and have no intention of being one who wonders what have I done with my life? I'll be DOING IT!

1995 has brought many wonderful highs accompanied by some difficult lows. It was a year for new definitions and for various lessons on life, love, friendship, and priorities. Life will continue to be challenging and decidedly interesting as I prepare for Odyssey 2000!

Hope you have an enjoyable holiday and a totally awesome new year!

Valerie