Today was “ugly kit day”. I don’t have an ugly kit, but I do have a jersey that is too big for me. The smallest size T6 made in the Cars R Coffins jersey was a men’s medium. I mean - really? I didn’t know all the messengers in the Twin Cities were Bunyan-sized. In fact, I thought the cold would have knarled them down like bonzai. Matt decided to skip the parade and go ride 90 miles of pure pain - so he lent me his ugly pink arm warmers and at least I tried.
In other news, the Mustache Contest was settled the other evening before Thunderdome. The rules stated that the full deal had to be worn for the ride up Cherohala Skyway, or else I would have taped a picture of Dave Zabriskie to my forehead.
It was a close call between Casey and Alex. Still, Casey was the clear winner - and the only one still wearing his entry. I don’t feel this picture of his ’stach and matching flowing mullet (taken by Kyle at the summit), really does him justice - but I wasn’t going to ask to take another because everyone warned me that laser beams could shoot out of his eyes and melt my soul.
Alex almost edged him for the win with the Italian Stallion look. He had a matching 7-11 jersey I wish I’d captured in the photographic record.
Yesterday the whole group - 62 people - rode to the top of Cherohala Skyway. The climb is around 13 miles and more than 4000 feet. Round trip for me was around 90 miles.
The day started out with the usual Great Pre-Century Sandwich Panic. 15 loaves of bread were not spared.
We made it to the top despite the extra weight of peanut butter and jelly.
Although some of the faster among us might have had a secret advantage.
I made a short video of my ride. The song is just what my iPod random gave me at the summit.
I went out with the Bs Boys and a couple of strong girls on Sunday. We were going to ride the Fontana Dam loop, but a heavy rain that morning led to a consensus on Junaluska instead. The night before, I was wound up as tight as before a race, not knowing exactly how fast we’d ride but sure that I was going to have to ride smart and redline it on flats to keep up. Also, no damn pictures. It was reasonably fast, then faster, then hard, then I decided to ride a steady pace for the 40 minute climb and that was chill. I think I ought to have aimed for about 10 watts higher, but was happy with my cooked legs by the time we got back to camp. It’s on like Donkey Kong for the climb up Cherohala Skyway!
Top of Junaluska
The day before, Saturday, Ashley and I took a leisurely tour of Winding Stair in a steady rain.
I’m at Spring Break with the UW Madison cycling team in North Carolina - the Smokey Mountains.
We left Wisconsin after work on Thursday and stopped in Kentucky, where we were welcomed to the South by fresh snow.
Welcome the the South!
All was made better when we found the mythic Waffle House of Lore on Friday morning, and all my Southern dreams came true at once. The jalapenos in my hashbrowns were hot as hades, and the man sitting at the counter behind us began his conversation with the waitress with: “Y’all know how long I’ve been tellin’ those Conway Twitty jokes?”
Here are some highlights from the drive and the trails at Tsali, which we hit before the rain arrived.
Park Forest Scenic 5M â Can Ya Say Kenya?Silent Sports Sounds Off
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