When Do the Hills Start? (Dan Driscoll, 200k, 28 Sep 02)

The ride started very early for some, Mike Berry, Mark Metcalfe, and Diane Murray all rode from their homes.  Mark and Diane had 55 miles before the ride began.  Mike Berry finished the Brevet and proceeded to ride home for the longest ride of his life.  We were happy to greet new riders Angela Tortotice, Bob O’Conner, Robert Williams, and Todd Kalchbrenner.  Around 7:00 am daybreak had started but most were too busy preparing for the ride to be bothered by the sunrise.  Gay Morris, our single handed support crew, was working hard on signing riders in and issuing Brevet cards.

At about 7:33 am we were off on our adventure; departing as a group with Jean-Luc Friang leading the pack.  He started us off into a brisk pace that seemed to get faster as we approached Weatherford.  With a slight tail wind and cool temperature we could not ask for a better day.  The pack leaders Gary Smith, Mark Metcalf, Jim Deming, Diane Murray, Mike Winfrey, Jason Moore, and Robert Williams went so fast that they made it to the 1st control 5 minutes before it actually opened.  While they were waiting for the control to open they filled up their bottles and got ready for the next leg of the ride.

The pace seemed equally brisk to the 2nd control in Glen Rose.  It was appropriate that we passed through Hill City.  Gay did an incredible job of manning (womaning?) each control with loving care and diligence.  I never even had to think about entering into a store.  Each stop was stocked full with fresh fruit, Gatorade, water, sandwiches, cookies, candy bars and everything imaginable.

From the second control in Glen Rose to the finish was only 38 miles, but seemed like an up hill battle and longer then the previous 87 miles.  The temperature rose to the mid 90’s and the hills seemed like gigantic mountains.  At the finish line I was “trashed” and barely able to stand up.  At this point I was shocked to notice Diane Murray, Bill Fox, Don Tenant, and Robert Williams were all laughing and joking like they had just started warming up.

Phil Schenk, always determined, finished despite a crash involving a funeral procession. 

Carl Stevens wins the award for joining us from the furthest away, California. 

Special thanks to Mike Morris for taking his time and encouraging other riders.  Also a special thanks to Bill Fox for a fantastic route.  A high five to all that finished including Jim Colby, Bob O’Conner, Rick Houle, and Todd Kalchbrenner. 

Hope everyone enjoyed and see you in October!! Any one want to add a report from another perspective?