Lucky Old Sun: PAC Tour Kosciusko, MS to Livingston, AL (21)

Today 115 miles 5,700 feet of elevation gain 9:20 elapsed time 46 - 75 degrees
So far 2,300 89,500 8 2:21

Exhausted. Wiped out. Drained. Empty. Nothing left in the Tank. Depleted. The well is dry. I'm simply out of superlatives to describe this ride, these roads, this weather and this experience. Just when it didn't seem possible that it could be any better, along comes a day like today. There was a little chill of fall in the air when we started riding this morning. Riders wore arm warmers and jackets. We turned east, as usual and were immediately riding rolling hills in eastern Mississippi. And nice rollers they were, just my size. As I rolled down the eastern side of a hill, I would accelerate down the hill and across the trough to the next hill and using the momentum from the previous hill and a little extra effort, power up the next hill at a pretty good clip. We cruised that way for at least the first twenty miles of today's ride quite a treat. The cool temps, brilliant sunshine and smooth, quiet country roads made this yet another exemplary day in Paradise. What can I say? I've run out of superlatives.

So I'm riding along between rest stops this morning and Susan Notorangelo, Lon Haldeman and Christoper Stegeman ride up behind me. Susan is the cheerleader, social director and gourmet chef for the tour. "So Ron, some of the riders say we should skip the next two days of riding in Alabama and drive to Georgia. What do you think of that?" "I think they should of signed up for the 28 day tour- two rest days included." Christoper like that and laughed his approval. Susan: "Ron, if you knew how hard this ride would be before you signed up for the tour, would you have still signed up?" "You bet I would have." Christoper really liked this. Susan: "I bet there were some days when it was hard to get out of bed in the morning." I finally conceded, "Yes, there were some mornings that I wanted to throw the phone out the window. 'No, not again. Its too early.'" And so it went for fifteen miles along quiet country roads. The tour operators riding along with the riders. Everyone having a good time, enjoying the day on the bikes. What more could one ask for? Oh, yeah. The day started with blueberry pancakes hot off the grill in the hotel parking lot. Sunrise breakfast before the ride. We are treated well. We appreciate it. We enjoy it.