Yes Sir we have some Sun!!!
Back on Eastern Time and we can now see the Sun. We all departed at about 8:15 am and for the first time, all with Sunglasses on. A couple of the ladies left early to get a jump on things but about 15 minutes into the trip we saw them headed back our way. They were lost. You see, we get a route sheet the night before from our infamous router, Mauricio (a columbian raised in New Zealand, crazy mix of latin and kiwi) I think the ladies both young and old really dug him....some of the fella's too i bet. Anyway he paints yellow arrows on the road so we can find our way. Mostly flawless i have to say. But this morning with the sun and the glasses nobody could see the pavement that clearly and we all missed the turn. Here we are 15 riders in spandex cruisin' the Hood! A bit uncomfortable but we consulted our handy dandy route sheet and asked the local Comcast repair dude for directions and we only missed the regular route by about 2 miles...felt like 20.
Back on the road we went directly through the Chattanooga National Military Park. Kind of cool but kind of creepy. 100's of cannons and signs marking how many dead etc. I guess it would have been cool to shoot a few Confederates and if i could have done it from my new bike, that would have been better.
We then hit a nice climb going into the Chattahoochee National Forest. With the sun shining bright in the sky and air brisk it was a truely epic day to ride. I may have saw 5 cars in the whole 20 miles. The road was more like bike path and only a few branches to deal with. with the tailwind it made for a fast and beutiful ride. I did this entire 20 miles solo and if i was a religious guy i may have said it was a religious experience. Since I may be more of a guy that questions these things, i decided that out there a few folks that I know (maybe Mo, Elizabeth, Nana) were fanning the flames coming off my ass and pushing me forward. Thanks for the push ladies!
A few more sweet climb and a water stop here and there. Wait, waterstop! Our crack staff of support folks mand these with all things nutritious to keep us moving. I dont eat much on a ride but can use the liquid and the funny banter between two knuckleheads seperated by 21 years. My buddy Mark Dwyer who has served this purpose the last 3 times i rode the TDK is my brother from a different mother. Not to say my Mom had any more bad boys than me, or went to Jersey in the 70's on a bender and met Mr. Wrong, but we carry the same things on our sleeves. Say it like it is, love life and make sure everyone hears us regardless of the message. Keep the faith and keep the volume in check it will serve you well Shaggy. Being adopted is a great thing unless your mother is an asshole. You can change the course of asshole-ism when you have your own children my brother. And you will.
Crusin' right into town on a the wings of a tailwind hummin' Inagodadavida by Iron Butterfly and the 99.6 miles comes to a close. Best friggin' day to ride a bike in a long time...solo or not. Get me a beer from Little Jimmy and i am ready to conquer the world. I put a little video in here of me just cruisin and talking to my self. Not long but you get the message.
And a photo of Brother Mark's Birthday Bash and a Pie in the Face. Just like the game I lost on Bozo Circus in 1968 because the chick that was wrapping me in crepe paper couldnt run fast enough. We won Parcheesee...isnt that just the Indian form of Trouble or Sorry for rich kids.
Post bash video as well
Let's keep the solo vidoes to a minimum. It is bad enough that we all have to read the bullshit spewing out of your mouth as well as hear it.
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