I started off the day by getting up while it was still dark out and pooring rain. Right as I finished dressing the rain stopped, so I quickly woke up Tony (sleeping in the van) to ask if he would pack up my tent for me later that morning. Then I hopped on the bike and headed out solo, for the first time, at about 5:30am. The roads were wet but the rain had stopped...for now.
I found a group to ride behind for about 5 miles and then hooked onto another faster group as they passed us at the 5 mile mark. Turns out this group had Paul in it (who I rode with later in the week) but I didn't know that till later that day. At 9 miles I stopped at Stapleton (I think it was Stapleton) for breakfast. Only 2 other riders were there since only a few people had gotten on the road this early. Most of the 500+ riders were still back in Tryon having breakfast at the high school. One of the two riders having breakfast at Stapleton was a guy by the name of John. Turns out John is one of the stronger riders on BRAN and is also a bike commutor like me.
After an amazing breakfest (eggs, waffles, biscuits and gravy, juice, etc) I headed out with John. We started clipping right along at about 22-24mph and we stopped at about every other SAG. A light rain started while we were riding, which kept us cool but made for a messy ride. We pulled into town at about 9:30 and John and I were the first two riders to make it into town. Cowboy (the guy that drives the baggage truck) told us we were not supposed to be there that early. John and I walked into town to have dinner at the local bar and grill. This was the only place to find food of any sort in Merna, until lunch started at the high school about 1:00 that afternoon.
After getting back to camp I had to wait around for another hour or so before Tony arrived with our gear. I got showered and when I found Tony again, my tent was out and partially set up. So I set up camp and tried to get a few things dried out since the rain had stopped. Mark, Kim and Phil rolled into camp as we finished setting up the tents. Phil was the man of the group and set up and took down his tent, by himself, all week. Mark, Kim, and I paid Tony's kids to do that for us. Money well spent I must say.
Later that night, Phil and I headed back into town for a "beverage" and spent some time talking about discipleship and some of our experiences as young Christians. It was a very rewarding conversation and got me thinking about the effort, or lack there of, I have been putting into learning more about Christianity and trying to live accordingly. We got soaked on the way back to camp but it was warm and we didn't mind. I walked over to the Bike Masters area, in the rain, and hung out with the team while it poored rain and we all got soaked. It was a blast.
After a trip over to the school to check my blog, it was time for bed (at 8:00). The rain picked up again but it wasn't windy, so I fell right to sleep.
Temt camp starting to form
More tents but over half the riders opted to sleep in the gym
Mark in the rain
Kim in his high tech biker clothes
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