Wood Bros Adventures TAT 2010 - Day 1

OK, so this is the part of the trip where I put the bike in the truck and high tale it to GA to start the trip with batman6630016 and Maxpacker. Even still it is the start! So, here is the SpotWalla link to follow along.

Dragon Wrider Adventure Map

I'll start putting up pics, observations and various other tid-bits starting tonight!

Spring Morning Commute

So getting out the door was a little challenging.  My desire is usually to take as little gear and other personal items on the bike as possible when I ride...it usually comes down to a compromise though.  This morning was a beautiful spring morning in New England, it was crisp and clear, not a cloud in the light blue sky.  The temperature was 62 degrees in the shade and 71 degrees in the sun.  While getting my gear together for my commute to the office I turned on the weather channel in the background.

Hmmm...what do I need to bring with me...gulping down my coffee, as I can't drink and ride.  Well, I didn't bring my laptop home (rarely do anymore) so, I don't need to worry about that.  I'll need to bring the top box which always has the New England basics stored inside; warm riding gloves, thermal undershirt, second pair of wool socks, glove liners, sweatshirt and a neck gator.  Also in the box is an unopened bottle of water, gatorade/lemonade packets, Bike log, registration, notebook and my trusty mechanical pencil.  As I am going through the inventory in my head I am thinking, "This is great, another light pack day.  Just the one box of standards and I am one the rode.  That's when I catch the weather channel voice say in the background, "...scattered thunder showers in the evening hours with a chance of heavy rains possible."  The list just got longer.  Now I need to pull out the liner bag kit and the side panniers for the bike...

where am I?

Watching...waiting...coasting down this desolate road...enjoying the warmth of the sun as the last few rays all too quickly disappear behind the mountains ahead. Suddenly, darkness all around. Eyes struggle to acclimate to the change. In the night the chilled damp wind begins to seep around the edges of my shield, stinging my eyes with shards of cold. My eyes blur from the pain and the yellow ribbon that has guided my coarse for so long, fades into the darkness. The wind begins stabbing my flesh at every seam, fold and opening that it can force its way in around my suit. The dense hard armor that lines my suit begins to transfer the night in to my joints as they cool. The only warmth left is that of the ever inviting hum of the dragon, then heat transfered from the heart of the beast through the veins and into my hands, in an attempt to keep the frost at bay while the mind struggles to find the path...and return to the light...but none can be found...its not there...its gone. Maintaining my course I ride through the night, relying only on the vibrations of the road and the buzz of the tires against the rough asphalt road... I begin to pick up speed, I sense the road bank to the left and in the darkness push gently on the left handlebar while leaning to the left and shifting my weight to my cold right foot. The shocks compress as I grind through the curve then upright again. I hear the hum of the motor begin to increase as a fresh wave of cold heavy decaying air begins pressing against my chest...forcing its way deeper into my suit and behind my shield. The vibrations turn to undulating bounces and the buzz transforms into a crackling. I have left the safety of the worn path and turned onto the path seldom encountered. Beware of the feel of the gravel as it often lies and seldom allows one to return...watching...waiting...for what?...where am I?...

~Topher