Best Birthday, Ever

This past Saturday there was a celebration of my 60th birthday which will go down in history as the best birthday, ever! It started out with our usual saturday breakfast ride with the twist of logging 60 miles. Doug also celebrated his birthday on this day with a ride of over 56 miles. Went to a movie with my granddaughters and returned home to find all my brothers and sisters there. Soon the people from work arrived, then all my riding buddies. I had no idea what was going on. Cindy punked me good. A caterer was there. I thought we were going to have pizzas! Maxine, the bag lady, came to wish me a happy birthday. She brought me all kinds of useful presents. I thought she took a "shine" to Pete and also John. My brother Jeff performed one of his excellent songs for the occasion. "I'm a Girl Watcher" with slightly modified lyrics to "I'm a Bike Rider", with the capable dancing of my riding buddies, with helmets on. Watch out, Fly Girls. I hope I can find a picture to post, or a video. We had cake and ice cream. Then, a video was played with photos going back to my early years and showing recent events including a number of memorable rides, set to some great music. What a treasure. Many thanks to Tracy for putting together this amazing video. After all this, the night still was not over! At the end of the video, there was a message that I will be going to France in July, to participate in the Etape du Tour. A Trek Travel trip, this will be a ride of the actual stage 20 of the Tour de France, from Montelimar to Mont Ventoux, 108 miles. Better still, James is going with me. This will be the trip of a lifetime. I wonder if Mont Ventoux is as tough as the hilly hundred? Not even close! We will be in for some serious training. I am on cloud nine. Thanks to all my friends for being with me to share this special birthday and thanks to my sweet wife for making all of this possible.