12 DAYS UNTIL

We were lucky this weekend with the rain on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It rained all around us but, we never suffered the hazards of speeding down mountains on rain slick roads. We rode both Saturday, 65 miles and 4 hrs with approx. 5,000 ft of climbing, and on Sunday for 3 hrs with 3,000 feet of climbing. It was a little warm but the elevation does help keep it just a bit cooler. This was the last of the mtn training weekends before the race and the BRPrkwy is just beautiful and a really fun place to ride. I encourage everyone to climb Peaks of Otter just for the descent back down to the James River (from that side). You don't need to use your brakes ever and I never went over 40 mph. Today is a rest day and I did go to the gym which I like to do for the change. Tomorrow is back on the bike for a few intervals. Peter and I have been reviewing the logistics of the trip and picking up the final spare parts to take.

Keep our troops in your prayers. Ciao, VB