Over 1200 riders, hundreds of volunteers, staff, cops, many many who've been through way worse **** than me, lost many more family members and friends to the big f'n' C, relished the day, the camraderie, experience, each other.
Starting out, the mood was somewhat subdued; folk were ready t' go!
During the short speech, the tension built, then the National Anthem and Lance's invocation got us Rockin'!
The pics? How DO you all get past the 100K limit?
<Edit: Aha! ya puts the link to the pic in there, I get it now... thanks!>
They are on photobucket:
http://s332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/Tugger2/
1) Never saw the kilt again... he's either faster 'n me, or took it off! It's one of my favourite pics
2) Not a bad day - much less smoky than home
3) Yup, tha's me; God I'm fat! My rig just don't look right w/o knobbies.
4) They took my pic, so I take theirs!
5,6) Waitin'
The first twenny was peloton time, swept along, the smiling cops at each intersection stopping traffic, and hundreds of wellwishers cheering us on! I swelt up like a tick I was so proud to be a part of it! My new friend Steve (7)and I chatted it up... and lost each other later on. Thanks for being a friend pal!
8-13) First few rest stops... heh.
