D2R2 pre hurricane Irene

D2R2 was great fun again this year. The valley and hills are lovely! I enjoyed wonderful company with Anna Mcloon and Anna Milkowski. It was just as much fun listening to their stories as riding around the scenic countryside up and down hills. Patrick completed the new 115 K course, his longest and hardest D2R2 course and and Anna's boyfriend Sasha did his longest ride EVER which was exciting. With the hurricane on the way, the skies were overcast which made for pleasant riding. Dirt was packed. Truly great conditions for an epic ride. This year I had my GPS which was very helpful, but not foolproof. It told me to take a U turn a few times for no reason at all. Anna Mcloon kept us on course by reading from the cue sheet so our group made it all the way around without a wrong turn downhill. What a great day! Our group of ladies arrived back at camp right as it started to drizzle. Nice conversational pace this year with no mechanicals, mishaps or sore legs. Almost too good to be true for a cycling event.

Due to the hurricane forcast, we decided to head back Sat - and came home to no power. Fortunately that came back on Sun morning and our neighborhood had little damage from the storm. A lot of sticks to pick up. The D2R2 course did not fare so well. The field for camping was flooded and a lot of damage to the riverside park used for lunch, and the road to the park. Also, one of the covered bridges was damaged. I hope that these areas are rebuilt. There is a call out for cyclists' donations.