Adventures and Such

Many much thanks go out to Kim Murrell, with Chilhowee Outdoors, for putting her blood, sweat, and tears into this route, as well her other routes (Vista 300/Mountain 420). This is one that I've ridden in two halves as well as an overnighter with Joe Urbanowicz several months ago, as some TNGA heat training. But I've yet to give it a go in one ride. The Grand Depart was scheduled for 10/19/19 but, unfortunately, had to be cancelled due to numerous people backing out for various reasons. I swapped a shift with a colleague so I could attend the GD, but unfortunately, life happened and we had to swap back, making it impossible for me to make it anyways. But that was okay. Two days before the scheduled grand depart, the weather was looking prime (albeit, a bit chilly), I was off work, and Melissa had plans and gave me the go ahead to knock this thing out. YESSSS!! So, I notified Kim of my Independent Time Trial (ITT) intent the day before and began studying the route. I quic

My favorite time of the year has FINALLY arrived! Not only is the  Roost Racing  5 Points 50 my favorite race of the year, it normally means fall weather is arriving as well. And boy did it! I had considered riding to the race from my house but decided against it, with the possibility of rain in the forecast. Plus, I knew I wouldn't have near as good of a race if I did that.   After piddling around the house and garage, preparing my race nutrition and liquids and all the little things you have to remember before a race, I finally laid down around 11:30 or 12:00 am. Remember, not a planner. I quickly realized, I didn't really have the pre-race jitters as I normally would. Odd.  Morning time rolls around. I laid in bed awake for a few hours just listening to the not-so-quiet oscillations of the ceiling fan, playing out race scenarios in my head, and stirring up the pre-race jitters. I checked the time time on my phone. 6:05am, which was five minutes after my alarm

Well, here we go. This is my first ever ride recap, and I hate writing, so bear with me. But, oddly, I've been kind of excited about this. And let me tell you, I LOVE pictures and I take a lot, so my write-ups will be chock-full of them. So, just a very brief bit about myself: I'm a mid-thirties Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant who has a lovely fiance, Melissa, who I get to marry in just about two weeks! I started cycling about 5 years ago after grad school. It has quickly evolved in to a love of the outdoors, camping, adventure, and supported or unsupported endurance events and #doinghardthings. First off, I must thank Chris Gray/Corvus Racing for giving me the opportunity to come down and check out this part of Georgia and also for all his hard work in scouting and putting this route (as well as others) together for the enjoyment of the biking community. This was possibly the best two days I've had on a bike. This ride came together because I was off for a