Day 2 in Asheville

First full day of riding today. After a good buffet breakfast at the Days Inn everyone headed back to their rooms. Egg wanted to wait a few hours (I really know what he wanted to do --- watch the Tour!). We finally headed up and parked at the French Broad River overlook. I would way it has the potential of being beautiful but it was an overcast/rainy/foggy point. All posed for the beginning picture with all smiles (even Mthd on this one!) Mt Pisgah with SR 151 was the plan for today. Goose headed out was in front - my thoughts Oh God don't let him bonk.

This is what I love about taking pictures along the way - you get to catch the smiles on everyone as they are riding (well OK later in the week I also caught some gritting their teeth to get through the extremely long climbs)

Big Tim is always consistent with his riding - and always has a smile.

Mthd was ditching his rain wear - me I was hoping that he wouldn't need it back later.

Maji bring up the rear also with a smile. He hasn't ridden much this year, but he hung tough.

Everyone was able to regroup at a construction zone. It looked to me they were moving the dirt from one side of the road to the other. But it did enable everyone to get back together.

This one of the points that I pulled over to take a head count and make sure everyone was OK. It was starting to get really foggy and they actually looked cool coming out of the heavy fog. This was Big Tim when he emerged.

I was able to pull over at a point where they had a 4 mile descent on 151 with a grueling climb back to Pisgah. There was a sign where I pulled off saying there was a steep grade and no trucks allowed, so I just stayed put at the top. Egg was going to make a decision when they got back to that point - do they turn right a climb more or go left and head back to the beginning. Motorcycles were coming off the mountain with their flashers on, it was difficult to see the cars until they were right in front of you. Egg made a very wise decision to head back to the van.

I waited on them to take off since they would be hitting a good descent (I can't/won't stay up with them on he descents). When I got back to Mthd's van I turned around to check on Maji. Saw this blur coming down - so I knew he was fine.

After showers we headed to a neat little place - Barley's Taproom and Pizza. Excellent dinner and fun with Doreen, Big Tim, Egg, Mthd, Maji. This is the second day of everyone getting to see the shovel (aka Goose) at work eating.

First Day In Asheville

Goose and I left a tad later than expected on the 8th. We needed to drop his truck off in Waynesville which added a little time to the trip. The actual drive was wonderful. We made better time than expected and the weather was beautiful. We got in about an hour after The Mthd wagon. They had already checked with the desk and requested rooms on the bottom floor - THANK YOU!

I had been watching the weather report for a few days and it didn't say anything about rain - guess I forgot about my childhood and it always rains the mountains.

We unloaded and headed out for a ride. Egg's plan was an easy ride on the parkway. Goose thought we were riding from Days Inn - Egg laughed and said I would never speak to him again - and he was right. We got in the cars and drove to the appointed spot. Jeff had planned to ride with me but Todd "Maji" also offered so Jeff could have a good ride. I was set to ride alone, but Egg wanted me to ride with someone through the Tunnel (which was scary for me since I had never done that). It was extremely humid and I didn't use my inhaler first (1st mistake). After about 4 miles I sent Maji on and I was set to ride alone. Guess Mother Nature wanted to play a cruel trick on me and decided to let the clouds open up. I wasn't prepared and it wasn't too back climbing. I reached as far as I could up and decided to turn around (didn't get as far as I wanted, but was OK with it - will be better prepared the next time). I headed back down remembering all the advice I got - pump your breaks don't just hold them on. I still was going way to fast for me. I decided to stop and wait on the guys to come back down the mountain and heed Egg's advice and follow them over the rough road. The rain started to get heavier and I was starting to get really cold. So I decided to get to the tunnel and hide inside and wait on them (2nd mistake). A younger guy rode past me and started to get in front of me when he hit a pot hole and went down sideways right in front of me. I had no where to go but down - to my luck I went down right on top of him and we both slid down the road - he was on his back and I was face down on him. When we stopped I finally got my left shoe out of my pedal and was able to get up. The back of his jersey was torn and looked like some good road rash - he asked if I was OK - my main concern was did I tear my jersey? Nope just my left knee and it wasn't that bad. As a couple of minutes discussion he insisted in riding with me back to the car - he was a local and lived close and told me not to worry about him.

Got back to the car, got my knee cleaned up before they guys got back. Jeff felt so guilty, I know the others felt bad, Egg had made a comment that is why he wanted me to follow him - he knows that road - and I should have listened. I told them not to feel back, I didn't. Jeff knows if I really wanted him to feel bad - I know how to do it :P

It wasn't until the Thur did I realize that my handle bar got me in the ribs and my left shoulder and thigh were bruised and sore - probably from trying to break my fall.

Will I try it again next time - HELL YES! BUT, this time I will listen to the ride leader (lol) and follow directions a little closer and be ready for the weather.

The guys had a good ride, I know it helped loosen up Goose's legs from the drive there.

After showers we all went out for a delicious din-din. This where other's were able to see first hard "the shovel" at work.

Early to bed so Goose would be ready to get some serious riding in.

Asheville

Finally have internet - moved around to the other side and picked up the other hotel's wifi. We have too many pictures/stories to tell for it to be done tonight.

Egg, Mthd and Maji are heading home tonight after a great day of riding and a wonderful last dinner.

Thanks to Tim and Doreen for dinner tonight - we had great company.

All I will say tonight is Mission Accomplished for a Tri/Du geek. You "nay" sayers can get over it - cause he (Goose) gets it :).

Such an awesome group of riders all meeting or exceeding their personal challenges. We got to know a couple of people better and we have had lots of laughs with them.

I hope someone that needed to work through issues was able to leave the issues on the road and go home with a clean/clear mind.

More when we get home.

Thanks to all.

Days Inn WiFi

Ok it sucks! They are resetting the router - I really don't want to sit in the lobby and post! Day 0 and 1 were awesome. Pictures and stories to follow!

Almost

Packed and ready to head out for N & G time :). Ready to see some beautiful mountains. Hopefully will get out early in the a.m. (that is the plan). Drop Goose's truck off to get fixed and head south.

Lil Goose and Big Goose Training

Lil and Big Goose ready to head out for their training ride! AJ is doing his first triathlon on July 19th (swim/run/bike). Between PoPo and AJ's daddy, Andrew, they are trying to get some bricks in. Tonight was a ride and run. AJ heads out for his run. He has mastered the don't do out to fast and slow and steady technique. OK he is only 5 some 50 yr olds haven't mastered that either!

AJ also doesn't know that we are heading to the mountains without him in the morning. Thought his mom could take care of that information. He loves to travel and loves to watch everyone ride their bikes.

Busy Week

July started out with a fast pace. Lots of training, planning for the rest of the month.

Goose had a great birthday ride with Egg, Big Tim, Rhino, Helldawg, Mthd and T-Bolt. Most met us at Classic for some dinner and a late night for the old people (Goose and Noose).

Goose had a good week of training, mixing up the running, water running and cycling. No real aches or pains (other than what old age brings on!) He was invited to the Zoo in Minster for a torture ride with Egg, Guru, Rhino and Todd W. They brought him home and he was still able to rotate the tires on my car, so he survived. Goose said anytime you head to Rhinoland, ya know your in for a hard ride.

I was able to get in many days on the bike last week. Sunday I was able to set a new high mileage for one day. I'm blogging - I also lived :)

Trying to make lists and pack for the EARLY morning departure on Wed for the beautiful mountains. I think the list of "goers" is still in the air. A couple of injuries might keep some from going - then again Egg might have talked another one into going!