I was wondering how this ride was going to be since I rode in Gilmer about 10 or 12 yrs ago and at that time it wasn't very organized and when we finished there was no one at the finish line, no one, nothing.
Well what a difference, this was a great ride, well organized, good schwagg, good rest stops and a good route.
I didn't even mind paying the 35 dollars, a price I usually balk at as a bit high, because it was going to help the folks of Guatemala and I've spent quite a bit of time in Guatemala and it will always hold a place in my memories.
Barry, Dan, Roger and myself made up the "Edge Slow Team", Dan and Roger rode the 20 mile and Barry and I rode the 40 mile.
Barry complained that I used Psychology on him and I did, it's part of the game Barry, and you fall for it every time.
At the start I told Barry I was going to take it easy as I wasn't feeling to well, he said OK, but as usual when the gun went off I was up there with the Cat 5 boys stretching my legs.
I was in one group and then here comes another train, just cookin, so I hook up, were motivatin with a big, young superstar in front. The Superstar finally breaks off and drops back about 5 places and gets back in, well I'm a couple of places behind him so I break out and ride up and tell him good pull and then get in behind him.
Up front the lead has been taken by a lady who I suspect was ready to take a break so I get antsy and blast past about 6 people and take the lead for a bit.
I love pulling, I don't like sucking wheel, but I knew I wasn't going to stay with the real and young riders in this group so after my pull I decide to drop off and let them have it.
I was wondering where Barry was, kept thinking he would pull up any minute. I got to the first rest stop and decided to stop and wait a second for Barry, Barry pulls in and I'm about ready to go, I talk to him for a minute and then I tell him I'm going to go but that "I'll ride slow and wait for you", that's the psychology part. I take off and am pedaling into a bit of a headwind and am taking it easy but after a bit those little competitive voices in my mind say, "Go mrbill Go", so I go.
I recover from my Cat 5 pull and start feeling good, I'm picking up a few of those who have been dropped by the main train, I decide not to stop at the second rest stop, which proved to be a good decision, why stop I felt great and I was putting time on Barry, hey hold it, I was supossed to wait for Barry, oh well, to late now.
I pull into the 3rd rest stop and ask how many riders have gone thru, they tell me I'm the first, I grab an orange, they fill my water bottle, I take a picture and them I'm off, should I wait for Barry?, of course not.
It's really fun when you're feeling good and I felt good all the way to the finish.
At the finish they had Barbacue sandwiches, cold drinks, chips and other goodies, Dan, Roger and I were enjoying the day, hey, Where's Barry, Oh, there he is, Hi Barry, and he says, "I thought you weren't feeling good, pulling that old Psychology on me huh," to which I reply, "Barry, it's all part of the game".
We had a good visit, it turned out to be a really nice ride and a good day.
I highly recommend this ride to anyone and I hope to see you there next year, I'll ride with you, I may not be feeling well, but I'll do my best.
Click thumbnails for larger pics.
mrbill is ready to ride
Registration and goodies here
Temperature at start time
The Proud "Edge Slow Team"
Gathering for the start
I was trying to get a shot of nasty weather and my rabbit, I did catch him
Hayden, a helper at the first reststop, he thinking,
what's that wierdo doing taking my picture, you'll notice he's a big "John Deere" fan
Friendly folks at the rest stop, thanks, yall were great
My last rest stop, I didn't linger long, Barry was coming
A little afterride Fellowship
Some more folks enjoying the day
In Conclusion, I really enjoyed the ride, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it was put on, if you're reading this and like to ride bikes, make this ride next year with mrbill, but take it easy on him he may not be feeling well.
