Saturday, May 14, 2011

Spartanburg, Day One

Arrived in Spartanburg this afternoon, got checked into my hotel, and got more excited about the coming ride. Hopped on the mountain bike about 2:30 and went to a presentation of a film about the 13th AOMM, talk about dated, wow! A lot's changed in 23 years with bikes, equipment, and clothing. Probably the only sports drink at that time was Gatorade, no gels or or of the plethora of nutritional offerings at your local bike shop. The helmets that were used looked like half a ping-pong ball, and there was not a carbon bike in the bunch. The only thing that was the same was the riders' determination to summit the highest point east of the Mississippi.
It takes determination to be a serious cyclist (I didn't say racer). Going to see the film, I got caught in some serious rain and arrived soaking wet. That's okay, if you are going to ride, you are going to get wet. The thing is, you become a person that reaches down within yourself and pulls out what you never thought you had. I feel like there's a point where that begins to transcend into other areas of your life and makes you a better, stronger person.
Time for some dinner.
Be blessed, be safe.

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