Day one

Day one went really well. We rode a little faster than I did last year, but this time my efffort was much lower thanks to all of the extra training that I did this year.

There was a race going on that covered the first portion of the park that we rode. We started later than the race so there was an endless stream of carrots out in front of us. It was fun greeting all the people as we passed them. At one point we were flying downhill and passed the place where the race turned off the parkway. There was an old man standing there to make sure that none of the racers missed the turn. He got really animated when we flew past at about 35mph, thinking that we had missed the turn and started flapping his arms and yelling. I turned around and yelled that we were not doing the race.

Katie stopped at several places for us. We stopped about every 2 hours to refill our bottles. We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch at the high point of the parkway, where there was about 30 motorcycle riders gathered. Katie was asked by one of them if she could take a group picture of them, and she obliged.

I felt my left knee a little bit at the end of the ride. It was just a little pain, but it was enough to scare me into 600mg of ibuprophen and some icing. I think it will be ok, but I am not taking any chances with it.

It was great to have company on the ride. My previous math was wrong. I think all the company along the way makes it 10x easier.

Tomorrow is the long day, with a big climb to the top of Mount Mitchell. Should be fun
///Mitch