GTR recap

Well, the computer gave out on me after the first day, but the captain of my tandem didn't. Yep, that's Alan in the foreground of the first picture. And that's his, well, anyway, we were going 28mph just moments before I took the bottom pic.

GTR 2010 was great fun. Saturday was even more fun than Friday, and Sunday would have been too but GTR ended at noon.

We are REALLY riding now

From Day One of GTR2010 in Covington. 42 miles this morning from Social Circle to Madison and back. We are really having fun reconnecting with those we've met at prior GTRs and meeting the newbies who were lucky enough to get in this year. This is our 6th in a row, since Madison in 2005, and we are starting to feel at home, I think.

Big accomplishment today was turning 3000 miles on our bike. Yes, that is only 600 miles per year, not nearly as many as we had hoped to ride, but still far more than we would have without "the trusty steed" as Alan calls this bike. I feel like we are about to get to where it was worth the money we spent. And hopefully we will be riding it for years to come.

At this rally we are the 5th youngest team. The oldest team of two is Mary & Ray Fry. He is 75 and she is 80. The oldest team of three is Linda, Eric and Eric's dad Don, who is 83.

GTR is all about socializing, eating and riding, in that order. We had a party near the square in Covington last night and walked around the downtown area. But first we had dinner at Shane's BBQ, a homey place with a Clemson connection. Shane's grandfather played football at Clemson before WWII. Tonight there's an ice cream social and tomorrow both lunch and dinner are catered events for our group. Hope I ride enough to burn off all these calories.

We are riding now

18 miles Saturday in Oconee. Max speed 41 mph. Fierce wind. 20 miles Monday evening hosted by ba dairy farmer in Moore in the rain. 10 more miles in downtown Spbg. Beautiful evening for a bike ride. Ambitious Alan wants to ride 114 miles this weekend at GTR. I'll be happy with 91. Ready to ride.

Sad news. We just learned today that May 1 someone we know from GTR who is from Oconee County died while on the Tour of Cashiers. Cliff Davis was an amazing, fast, strong rider with his stoker wife Lisa.

Please read Nancy's blog at right from yesterday. Mothers Day at NewSpring was awesome too.

It is also hockey playoff time. I've been pulling for the 8th seed Canadiens because their short nickname is the habs, French for "habitantes." Tonight in game 7 they beat Sid Crosby's Penguins. I have no idea who will win the Stanley Cup, but it's more fun to watch than baseball or Deadliest Catch.

Watching Riding but not Riding

I've been using the DVR to enjoy the spring classics and last week's Tour of Romandie on Versus. Seen plenty of cycling. Not done much myself. Two weekends off due to rain and then humidity so high you'd need gills. Still, I'm getting excited about GTR 2010 in Covington next week.

I'm also PSYCHED about church on Sunday. Mother's Day at Newspring is always spectacular and this one will wow, no doubt. We plan to watch it live on the Internet at Alan's sister's house Sunday morning. Ah, technology.

Today I am disturbed by two Guardian cases I worked on today. Enjoyed meeting with my clients at their schools. Did NOT like it when the 9 year old told me in casual conversation that his paternal grandfather had told him to "vote for dad" in the custody case. Like a NINE year old can vote. We covered why it's the judge's job to make that decision, not his.

Then my first grade client told me his grandmother told him to tell his counselor he wanted to live with her. Me "Do you?" Him-Yes "Why?" It's fun over there.

Well of course. She has the fourwheeler. And your other grandmother makes you do homework 4 days a week. Whatever. But please do tell your counselor. Urgh.