A shrtened BRAG for me, but some good riding
06-11-09, 01:40 PM
#1
just keep riding
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A shrtened BRAG for me, but some good riding
After riding two of the first three days of BRAG, I decided to listen to my brain instead of my ego and call it a week. I very much enjoyed Sunday's 50 mile mountain ride, Monday's driving duty and Tuesday's 67 mile hilly ride and I was having a great time spending the afternoons and evenings in camp with old and new friends. But I could tell that the difficulty of the rides combined with the challenges of camping were going to be too much for me at this stage of my recovery from illness. I felt that I could have managed to survive the full week, but would probably have needed several days of rest to get over it. I think I was better prepared for the riding than for the hardships of living outside. I just can't afford to miss time from work next week, so I chose to go home and do my recovering this week. Our two day stop in Athens provided a good opportunity for my wife to make the 75 mile drive and pick me up.
I was very pleased with how well I handled the very challenging two days of riding that I did. The first day had one 2.5 mile mountain ascent (Unicoi Gap) along with many other long climbs. Tuesday's ride had shorter and steeper climbs almost constantly. Combined with higher temperatures and heavy traffic coming into Athens, it was the harder day. Both days included many beautiful views. I only took a few pictures of which I'll try to post some later.
I was very pleased with how well I handled the very challenging two days of riding that I did. The first day had one 2.5 mile mountain ascent (Unicoi Gap) along with many other long climbs. Tuesday's ride had shorter and steeper climbs almost constantly. Combined with higher temperatures and heavy traffic coming into Athens, it was the harder day. Both days included many beautiful views. I only took a few pictures of which I'll try to post some later.
06-11-09, 01:49 PM
#2
Time for a change.
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I am surprised with what you have been doing in such a short time after your ordeal. So I am pleased you had enough sense to realise that 2 days riding was enough. Pity you couldn't stay for the "Apres" ride a bit longer but personally- I think you made the right choice. But want the pics ASAP.
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06-11-09, 01:56 PM
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Glad to see you back. 
06-11-09, 03:25 PM
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I think you made a good choice, BD. Glad you enjoyed the ride and there's always next year.
My friends and I are always looking for different week long tours and BRAG is on our list of possible choices next summer. We decided to stick close to home this year and do GOBA which starts next Saturday
My friends and I are always looking for different week long tours and BRAG is on our list of possible choices next summer. We decided to stick close to home this year and do GOBA which starts next Saturday
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06-11-09, 05:34 PM
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Bluesdawg you did the best days! It is good you went and were able to ride. Keep up the good fight! Just remember you didn't miss this BRAG. But no one is keeping score. Wish I could have been out there to ride a little with you. Still need to get to middle GA for a ride.
Dan
Dan
06-11-09, 07:58 PM
#6
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Glad you were able to get our for a couple days and also hook up with some old friends. I know how much you enjoy BRAG. You'll be back and made a wise choice of not over doing it.
06-12-09, 12:51 PM
#7
Don't mince words
Good for you for listening to your body and not your ego. I'm glad you enjoyed your time out there. A couple days is better than no days, and that you're satisfied with that is, I think, the mark of a mature individual.
Your best rides are yet to come.
Your best rides are yet to come.
06-14-09, 03:09 PM
#9
just keep riding
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I finally got the pictures edited and uploaded. As usual, I didn't get many good pictures on BRAG. I alwats see so many great sights on BRAG, but I'm usually too busy enjoying the experience to think about taking pictures. Here is what I did get:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesda...7619730677668/
starting the climb up Unicoi gap early in the first day's ride
near the top of Unicoi gap
a happy dawg reaches the summit
what goes up must come down
near the bottom of the 8 mile descent into Helen
another of the day's dozens of climbs
a nice little roadside winery, "Frogtown"
My team's rig, Team Occisus Via - almost Latin for "road kill"
Ribby and two teammates ready to start the day's ride
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesda...7619730677668/
starting the climb up Unicoi gap early in the first day's ride
near the top of Unicoi gap
a happy dawg reaches the summit
what goes up must come down
near the bottom of the 8 mile descent into Helen
another of the day's dozens of climbs
a nice little roadside winery, "Frogtown"
My team's rig, Team Occisus Via - almost Latin for "road kill"
Ribby and two teammates ready to start the day's ride
06-14-09, 05:47 PM
#10
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You got some nice shots there BD, it sure is pretty country.
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06-14-09, 06:36 PM
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Hey BD - Wish I had met you on the ride. It was my first BRAG and had a blast! Yup there was a ton of climbing those first few days. Sounds like you have worked hard on your recovery - and it makes sense to not push it. You did the hardest days - and looked like you enjoyed it!!
06-14-09, 06:53 PM
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Great place for a ride, dawg, and nice pics.
Your decision to heed the signals from the central processing unit was a wise one.
Your decision to heed the signals from the central processing unit was a wise one.
06-14-09, 07:18 PM
#13
just keep riding
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A friend posted this video from Tuesday night in camp of me and a guitar player jamming on some blues.
06-14-09, 08:47 PM
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Awsome pictures there Dawg, like a few other's here - glad to hear you've learned to listen to the body. That is something that takes years of experience to finally do.
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06-15-09, 11:34 AM
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Oh, yea, da' harpmon plays it for evening's soul...
very nice
CW
very nice
CW
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