by Mitch Askew, March 30-2003
The Memorial ride for Dave in the N. Ga. Mountains on Sunday. 80 miles included 3 gap going clock wise and was well marked.
I blew at that little climb at R-ranch and knew it was going to be long day. I got dropped by Chris Jackson and Greg Turner up
Woodys, but they stopped at top to wait. I did not stop so they chased me down. I got dropped again by them going up Wolf Pen they waited at top. They dropped me again going up Neals and they waited for me at Turners corner. I got dropped again going to R-ranch and had been
dreading that section all day. I rode with them for a portion from the R-ranch back, but then dropped back and had to go into Brevet mode just to make it back to the car. I went completely beyond failure. The last 10 miles I was doing 10 mph and kept waiting for you all to catch me. The ice blown off the trees on Wolf pen on my helmet and back. The snow drifts in the wind blowing on me and covering the road in front of me were extremely beautiful, but cold. We got hailed on as well for about 10 minutes. It was pretty hard core. I picked up a cough on Wolf's and now have a sore throught. Again I reiterate I took my body beyond total failure. I almost had to walk up 52 to the car I was in that much pain. I was in bed at 7:55 and could not sleep because my legs hurt so bad.
but other than that it was a good ride.
The Mitchman.