Originally Posted by BikeWNC

I can tell you from experience that it is very difficult not to ride hard, at least at the start. There is just something about the whole start that gets the blood flowing. I mean they even countdown to the start on the big info marquee. The sound of all those riders clipping in at once is amazing. The downside of all this is the first 20 miles are pretty sketchy. Be careful. From your previous posts it sounds like you are a strong rider. Maybe the safest place for you is at the front.