We Shut Down Georgia Route 400!

We, Susan and I that is, along with 1000~1500 other bicycles riders shut down a major Atlanta vehicle artery this past Sunday morning. This is the second year in a row that we rode in the Hospitality Highway Century, a fundraiser for the Georgia Transplant Organization. Last year, with Naomi leading the charge, we rode the 100-mile century route. This year the two of us only took on the 63-mile route.

We clambered out of bed at 4:15 AM and arrived at the registration site in Roswell, Georgia by 5:30. Staging was at 6 AM on the Holcomb Bridge entrance ramp to southbound GA-400, exit 7.

You notice we look a little fuzzy here. Perhaps that coffee never kicked in.

At 6:30 the police had completely shut down the southbound lanes of GA 400 and off we went, en masse! The southbound lanes quickly filled with cyclists cruising down a gentle 1/2-mile grade and across the Chattahoochee River. Then it was a easy rise for another 4.5 miles before we had to exit the expressway. How exhilarating!

That was the fun part and the hard work began since this is an exceptionally hilly ride. Here we are 40-miles into the ride at a rest stop in front of a fire station. We couldn't help but comandeer the firemen's favorite chairs for a rest in the shade.

20+ miles more to go and the sun was getting high in the sky. Finally, about 5-1/2 hours after we started, 4-3/4 hours which was in the saddle, we arrived back where we started, no worse for wear but really pooped. An afternoon nap never felt better.