Day 5! Red dress day. A fun day with some deceptively nasty climbing thrown in just to keep us honest. I was my usual adorable self — goth red riding hood — and Scott Alumbaugh defied all expectations and rocked both a flairy tutu AND a Hawaiian shirt. At one point as we started climbing the middle hill I just started laughing. If our past selves could see us now. They would just plotz.
Roger Nolan had a new getup this year — Red Ruffin’ Sore, the strolling cat cowboy minstrel. It was great!! And impossible to describe, so I’ll add the picture when I get it from whomever took it.
The bike riding went fine despite the aggregating butt and leg pain. There was one hill that nearly killed me, as always, but I prevailed. As always.
Long afternoon at the hotel, with some delicious downtime. I wandered over to the pool and hung out with some sweep roadies (the ladies who drive the Honey Bee sweep vehicle that picks up riders who either have a mechanical problem, or just need a boost, to take them to the next rest stop). Fun storytelling about rides from years gone by. Reminded me so much of touring with Opera A La Carte and just hanging out swapping yarns.
So many good people on this event. So much love. As a fellow rider said yesterday, this feels like home, like a place where you can really be yourself. Then we both started crying those great end of long day tears that feel sooo marvelous.
Tomorrow is another long ass day: 90 miles, but beautiful. I think I’ve been able to make every Day 6 I’ve attempted, so I’m not too worried. My back is still wretchedly painful (off the bike) and I’m really REALLY looking forward to getting it recuperated when I get home.
(Of course, all the good pix of me are on other peoples’ phones so I’ll add them later. )
These posts are just getting better and better! I love the visuals!