I too am giving two big thumbs up to the staggered start times. That worked brilliantly I thought!!!
My friend and I had an enjoyable weekend. Drove up Friday afternoon and had no wait to pick up our packets. Love the adoreable bag. Saw Lifesgreat and Yellow while we found some great deals on socks and other gear. There went my budget - oh well!!! ha ha
The ride was lovely as always. The food was great, the volunteers fabulous and the course gorgeous. My friend took a spill in some gravel in the turn into the first rest stop. We managed to track someone down with a first aid kit in their car. Once we got the gravel and blood off, we realized how deep the gash was. But she patched it up and being the trooper she is, made it the rest of the day with no problems.
We too signed up for the 100 miles. But I had some knee problems and those ominous clouds helped us to decide to turn onto the 80 route. That turned out to be the best choice for us. My knee started acting up about 10 miles to the finish. But with an awesome massage waiting for me at the end, and lots of ice on the ol' knees when I got home and I am just fine today. :p
I actually liked the new return to the start. It was kind of fun - kept me guessing. The chocolate fountain was fabulous - banana please, don't go easy on the chcolate - and she didn't. :D
LRRH is definitely my favorite ride of the year!!!