[jppe]

I managed to "get in the way" of a photographer that took a few pictures at this past weekend's 3 Mountain Madness ride out of Pilot Mtn, NC. There were posted on a local TV station's website. There were over 500 riders this year and you can see us lined up on the road at the start. The line actually wrapped off the road and down into the parking lot that parallels the road we were standing on.

I'm standing tall in the bright yellow jersey at the bottom right hand corner of the picture.

He also got us not too far from the start and still in the big group. For those that do not like riding in groups you may not want to look!! In this picture I'm on the far left in the blue helmet. Thank goodness that everyone had freshly washed cycling clothes as we were packed in pretty close!!!

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[stapfam]

Only 500 riders? They must breed em big in America. Problem over here is that most bike rides start with a staggerring system, so you rarely see that number of riders in one go- let alone serious riders.

I have mentioned it but shortly there is a London to Brighton Bike ride. 30,000 riders and they use a staggerred start from 6 am with about 200 riders at a time and 5 minute intervals. Well you can imagine the chaos of all that lot blocking the roads round London- at leat with the staggerred start they only have to close one side of the road for the 56 miles. Problem is that if you want a clean run- you have to get a start time before 7 am, otherwise every hill is blocked with bikes being pushed- Not only hills but even most of the slopes.

I have a problem shortly in that I did my big ride a few weeks ago and This will be reported in all the Cycle Magazines. This year was the first time I noticed the professional photographers on the route- They actually got out onto some of the rough stuff and as our Tandem was the only one on the ride, and it is a mean machine in any case- I will have to buy all the Magazines for the next couple of months to see if we are being portrayed as the nutters every one was calling us.

My rides, that are not yet planned for this year- will not take in the serious events, They just do not seem to exist over here. It must be fantastic to ride with so many people- most of whom up to standard, and the thrill that it gives you. I do envy you on your rides, but Will have to try France to see if I can get some decent riding.