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Bev was wrong. The baby is due November 7th. That is right atop the Claxton Century but gives us ample time to go to Florida this summer. We went over to the apartment and moved the washer and dryer over there. There was lots of trash to get up into bags and throw in the dumpster. There was still some things to get out of that house but I think they will have it done by tomorrow. David took me back and I saw his room. It was pretty nice all things considered. He will have lots of good play time in there. There is a lot where a house burned out back. That gives David a big field to run and play in. He should love it. I called Tennessee today and set up our reservations for camp sites at Clifton and talked to the lady at David Crockett State Park. She says if we come next Thursday, we won't have any trouble getting a camp-site... Mike says the Tour de Wayne is a tough ride. I can do a shorter route if need be. There isn't a 100 mile route offered. The Clifton Marina we will stay ...

This past weekend, I drove up to Cullman with Bev and David. They stayed with Tom and Amanda while I rode up to Jackson to do a Century ride with Mike Sherrill. It was a pretty good ride. We met up with his friend, Gordon, and did about 65 miles before lunch. Then we ate a buffet and rested during the heat of noon, then struck out again for a 36 mile finisher. The country was pretty. There were lots of low traffic roads. The dogs weren't too much of a problem. Mike showed me where a dog caused him to fall and break his pelvis and where another rider was brought down by a German Shepherd. The rider was hurt and his bike was damaged. He had to sue the folks to take care of the damages. Now they don't have a big dog anymore. There were lots of dogs on the route but none who really were a threat. David had a great time with Paw Paw. They rode the Cub Tractor that Tom gave him. He was really proud to get to ride all over the farm. Amanda was talking about having to do something on t...

Bev reminded me today that the baby may come earlier than predicted. She mentioned the week of our Florida trip. It wouldn't surprise me. But if it comes around the November date, that will affect some of our winter plans. Bev says it will be earlier. From the look of things, I agree. I just hope we can get that vacation in. I really have missed the beach. Perhaps if Paul doesn't want to go to Georgia this weekend coming up, we should go camp at the lake. I don't know if I will enjoy the ride very much without my little family along anyway. We could take the boat and do some riding and fishing. Maybe little Dave would do fine. It is hard to be optomistic about the kids chances. They don't make any money. Don't really have any assets. Nikki really doesn't have many options as far as school left. They are both messy. Apparently neither is good with money. I just don't know! I hope it will all be ok.

Unless I miss my guess, the bike club is headed the way of the dinosaur. I went down to get with anyone who was riding this morning. There wasn't anyone there. Sara McGuffin rode down but quickly left. I was waiting in the truck in case the usual suspects came down. I waited till 8:30 and then left to do my own ride over through Sycamore and Odena. Then it was back home via Twin Street. I wonder if all the preparation leading up to the criterium/road race has put people off. I think they might be worried we would ask them for some specific help with the events and they are wary of coming around. Maybe after it is all put to rest, we can all get back together for more riding. I need to plan something like a barbeque lunch with dogs and burgers to draw everybody out. So I rode by myself. I see much of the membership doing just that. It must be impossible to please everyone so it just works better for everyone to follow his own lead. I don't really mind being along. It is a lot ea...

I have just returned from West Point Georgia where we camped for 3 days at R. Shaefer Heard campground and I rode the Tour de Lake. In an odd turn of weather, it was cold. Then rain followed. I started out to do a century but the skies threatened rain and I saw lightning so I cut it short. Adding in the 8 miles coming and going to the event and I racked up 66 miles. When I got back from the ride, they were taking down the tables that were for the spaghetti dinner. I just rode on back to the camper and ate an sandwich. The SAGS weren't up to the Cheaha Challenge standards. IT was mostly a serve yourself affair. I didn't meet up with someone to ride with. Well there was a few that I might should have ridden with but I forged ahead. I think the C-class was a good thing. It made surviving the weather much easier. If only David wasn't trying to pick it apart piece by piece. Perhaps I can do some more centuries with it. There is another one coming up soon.

The Cheaha Challenge is over for another year. It is said to be the toughest ride in the South. I'd hate to see a tougher one. I rode the 102 miles on Sunday. All I can say is, "I finished!" This was the toughest thing I've ever done. Nothing else even comes close. The grueling climbs followed by swift downhills kept coming and coming and coming. By the half-way mark, I was very tired. By the end of the hills, I was exhausted. I rode the last 20 miles back to Piedmont on guts only. I honestly thought I wouldn't make it. But I did and I am proud. Today I have been resting. My legs are like jello. I really needed a bigger cog on the back. I was washing it today and saw how small it looked. The third chain ring didn't give the huge advantage I expected. It was more like having 1 extra gear. When I shifted down to it from the 2nd, there wasn't a huge difference. Next year I think I'll man a SAG stop.

"If—" If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To s...

I have arranged to ride in the Cheaha Challenge Century on Sunday. I am riding up with Richmond so I can snooze a couple of extra minutes on the way there. After getting in around 12:15 and getting back up by 4am, I will be operating on very little sleep. I may be one tired puppy. I guess I should try to sleep late Saturday morning and get some extra rest tomorrow as well. I don't know if that plan will work but it is worth a try. Mike had some good thoughts about taking it easy to climb all those big hills. He suggested using the granny gear to get up the bigger hills. There are some really good SAG stops that have lots of food and drink. I also understand that the first 20 miles is flat. That will be a nice feature when heading out to get the legs warmed up. On the way back, you can expect headwind. That won't be so fun. Who knows how it will go. Yesterday, I rode out to Bull Gap and was really done in by it. I went a little too quick and got pretty tired on the climb. I may ...

Mother had her operation this morning. The second stimulator was installed. Tomorrow I go back to UAB to pick her up. This time it seemed like it went easier. Maybe she was given enough pain meds to keep her comfortable with her surroundings. Next Monday we go to have the battery pack installed. Then it is around the first of June we can expect to get the second system turned on and tuned. With any luck, she will get the same benefits and can enjoy her Canada trip. We also are hoping she can reduce or eliminate some of the medications she has been taking for the past couple of years now. She needs to get more exercise so she can build some strength. Jean, Jerry, Vernell, Cary, and Denise were in the waiting room this morning. Ruth Smith called this evening to ask how she was doing. I suppose I ought to get out an information email letting everyone know how she is doing. Till tomorrow! I was asked to speak to the Parkinson's group in June.