Right on schedule, at 5:40 a.m., the Grey Goose arrived on Honeysuckle, already manned with MacGyver [Joel], Bishop [Keith], Ray Charles on a Bike [Stu] and Roy the Driver. Despite a 500 mile ride to Jackson from Missouri the day before, Roy reported that he was so excited about driving the Goose that he had been up since 3:45 a.m.
After picking up RoRo [Ronnie] and Dr. Feelgood [Charlie], The Goose headed to the Hills of the Northern Trace at 6:30. Just before 1:00, the Goose landed at The Loveless Cafe and picked up King Air [Scott], who showed no signs of fatigue from yesterday's 13.1 mile Music City 1/2 Marathon. After everyone put their battle armor (and raingear) on and took advantage of some photo-ops (thanks to Conrad's sister), the pelaton headed to the hills, raindrops a fallin'.
We had read how much fun it is to fly down the Trace's final hill into The Loveless Cafe (when you are riding north). I'm sure that's true, but when you are headed south that hill is not as much fun. Fortunately, most of the other hills didn't compare to The Loveless Hill (although the Baker Bluff Hill came mighty close).
The weather was wet at times, but turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Temperatures ranged from 59 to 65, and the overcast skies were welcome as the pelaton fought through the hills.
While the weather seemed to keep the Sunday afternoon riders off of the Trace, the turkeys thrived in it. We lost count at 16, including one Tom that was disrupted from his hot pursuit of two hens when Ray Charles On a Bike and Roro went sailing between him and his prize. By the time the rest of the riders came upon him, he was a gobbling away. A couple of deer showed up, but it was clearly an afternoon for turkeys.
Today's trail also featured two waterfalls, including about a 30+ footer at the end of the day at the Fall Hollow stop. The Team knocked out 52 (and some change) miles today; 392 +/- to go.
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2 comments:
PHOTOS, Conrad...your groupies want PHOTOS!!!!
So grateful for safe travel and cool climate that allowed the pack to exceed their first-day-distance expectations!! We are covering you guys in prayer!
Bev's apparently not sleeping as well with Ray Charles on the road...don't think she's usually up at 5:18. We're actually all missing you guys but are so happy you had a great start and are having fun. We think of you so much! Susan
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