The weather forecast was calling for 20% chance of rain all day, up until the morning of, and it cleared up a bit. I drove in through pouring rain the first half of the way, but had hope that paid off. The weather ended up perfect, starting at 73 and, while it did get to mid-80s a few times,  most of the day the cloud cover and scent of rain in the wind were enough to keep things pleasantly cool.

And the roads… they were the most perfect I have ever ridden them. 80% of Chilton county dirt roads were recently scraped, and the wet and sticky red clay was just super smooth and fast.

When I got my bike off of the car, I noticed that my front tire was flat. It had been having a slow leak, but it had gotten quicker. I pumped it up and rode to the store to use the restroom and checked it when I got back, and it felt good. I had a hand pump with me, and didn’t have to use it until miles 55 and 75.

Greg and Steve showed up to ride, and we rode together for the first 10 miles, until they pulled off to do a 25 mile route. It was great getting to spend time with them until the split. After that, I just paced myself for a long day and enjoyed the scenery for another 70 miles.

I stopped to feed Sampson some peppermints at mile 30, but he wouldn’t come up to the fence. His trainers Kayla and Tristan were there and said they had just got done with strength training him, and he was probably sore. I talked to them a bit, Kayla wants to be able to ride him alongside us, but he’s got a long way to go for that, spoiled thing. So I fed his peppermints to Buckshot and Jackson, the horse and donkey across the road from Sampson.

I had skipped the stop at the DG before Sampson and timed it so that I had just finished 3 bottles when I got to the Marbury Baptist Spigot. At mile 47 I had a second opportunity to see Sampson, and this time he was near so he came up to the fence. I split my peanut butter cream pie with him and got video of him smacking the peanut butter.

I came committed to do the whole 84. Last time we rode the 104, we skipped a lot of the hard part of the end of the route. I rode the first bit of the hard return this time, but I was cooked by then, and cut off 3 miles of nasty climbing after the Lake Mitchell Mini Mart at mile 73.

I missed riding with my normal crew, but get to hear some great adventure stories from them next week. At the same time, being out there solo puts you in a totally different head space that I thoroughly enjoy.

I took notes of queues that need adjusting and will have them updated on all of the routes soon. Look for a post for a ride for next weekend shortly.

Pics and vids from the ride: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yv3q2u9hioe6nvmfpoomw/ABjSRwA6N_7uxavsxsphULw?rlkey=a09b205wnrhu9m1ncgf83jv2u&dl=0