The day before the Assault I
went to see Mrs. Clary.
Mrs. Clary is the 87 year old mother of my friend Kent who died 12 years
ago.
I saw his bike in the enclosed patio area just as he had left it 12
years ago.
I left feeling sad but glad that I saw her once again.
She calls every year before the Assault on Mitchell to wish me luck.
I stopped at a rest stop between Gaffney and Spartanburg.
I didn't want to see anyone else today/tonight.
I slept in the back seat of my 94 Caddy with rain falling.
"Lay your head upon my pillow.
Hold your warm and tender body close to mine.
Hear the whisper of the rain drops,
Falling softly upon my window,
And make believe you love me,
One more time, for the good times."
The rain cleared and so did the roads long before we left Spartanburg.
I hadn't ridden a century in months.
I tried twice in the last several weeks and pain forced me to quit at 80 miles.
The increasing pain is forcing to shorter rides.
I purposely, but without any choice as well, took it easier starting out.
I wanted to spin all day and save my legs as much as possible.
This is the spot where Peter Springer and I dropped a pack once. Peter let me ride with him all day.
The rolling hills are so pretty in this piedmont. I was dropped. No one in front-no one behind.
All at once the Calvary arrives. They run over my teepee and shoot my horse.
I spin. Bob Scofield has joined the lead pack. I'm joining new packs as well.
It's nice to have some of that wind blocked.
I'm glad these guys have something to smile about.
Eat, drink, and survive!
This spot was indeed so beautiful but you'll have to imagine the light show.
This is past Bill's Hill. I could only take pics occasionally as I wanted to breathe and what-not.
Large group, fast, and plenty of cover from the wind.
A Straight line of riders booking down the road on a beautiful day.
Whoops. A hill came up.
We're getting very close to Marion- probably Sugar Hill Road or closer.
Tom Johnson's Campground in Marion is always a welcome sight.
These folks thought it was funny that a rider was taking photos of them.
Highway 80 and a calm before the storm.
This will be the real battle and will last for hours.
Climbing without much relief is the agenda.
I needed to take some pics of the hard climb on 80 but I'd rather someone else do it.
Ouch. The road really pitches up here at Hayne"s Eyebrow. Arrrgh!
Chris Boone, Parkway record holder left a coke with a lady at 80. I sat. I drank. I wanted to quit.
Thnks Chris. I was doubled over with pain. The coke brought back a little life.
Some pics were too washed out because the setting slipped. I repaired as possible adding gamma.
that's where we're going but I died about 30 miles ago. I wish the pain had.
My back is torturing me. My stomach hurts. There is a pain in my right breast I've never had before.
Some of the pain in my lower right hip switches over to the left.
My neck is terrible pushing pain through the shoulders and down the arms.
There's a pain from the bad discs in the middle of the back.
The view is majestic.
This is just before the 2 mile down hill at mile marker 52.
My legs want to cramp when I stand. I nurse them.
5 miles to go. You can see 2 riders on the climb off the Parkway. Below is an inset of the above.
Arrrgh.
Arrrgh.
Arrrgh.
Arrrgh.
Arrrgh.
Another test is over.
Whether you failed or not is just mental.
.
.
