RobbieTunes couldn't make it, though he was one of the three "amigos" who founded the event.

I've ridden three different Ironmans there, including the purple/gold "ECU" Ironman that promptly sold during the post-race Fiesta. Of all the years I didn't make it, finally another Ironman showed up. Durn it.

Last year, I decided to ride carbon, and a '92 Paramount showed up. A few years ago, a guy took the train from Brooklyn NC to Wilson, NC, rode his mid-80's Cannondale to Greenville (37 miles) to do the Biathlon, stayed for the Mexican meal and quite a few beverages, then rode back to Wilson and took the train back to NY. One year, I rode there from here (43 miles), ate a Mexican lunch, did the Biathlon, then drank too much and had to call my wife to come and get me. Things like that happen in Greenville. Of course, ECU only ranked 5th in a certain men's magazine poll of party schools this year. One year they were DQ'd for being "pro's."

Thanks, Greg, and you know I'll be there for the 25th. I think Barry and Charlie are already planning it...tell your mom we'll be there, and definitely hope she's up to it.

For those that don't know it, The Bicycle Post (in the avatar) was sort of the incubator for a lot of bike shops from NC to AZ. Wrenches and employees have passed through there to go on and stay involved in the bike business, biking events, etc in eastern NC and quite a bit beyond. Mrs. Smith is basically the matriarch of biking down East, basing her business on fair prices and outstanding service. She provided the backing for the first Fiesta Biathlon 24 years ago with little guarantee from us guys other than our word. The Bike Post was also backing cyclists long before it was cool, or normal. On race day, if you have a flat, you can call their number and they'll come and get you going.