We arrived in the parking lot at 7:15. The registration line was long and slow so we decided that we'd to the southern loop then come back. This was suggested by one of the volunteers. This loop is about 17 miles of flat, boring road. Most of it on a main road with a nicer loop down into a residential neighborhood. We got back to the start in about an hour. We checked in and used the facilities. While we were there another group of friends were arriving to start their ride. We decided to wait for them and all headed out together on the northern loop. I was time restricted and had to be back by 11:15 so I only rode another 10 miles out. The others went on and I headed back. There was a pretty strong headwind and there seemed to be nobody heading my way so I rode the 10 miles back alone. I flew out on the tail wind but slogged back at about 12 mph on the way back against the wind.

When I got back to the start, I checked in and then headed up to Ft McClarey to volunteer. I had a wonderful afternoon with the nice folks of GSW and chatted with riders from all over. I made enough peanut butter sandwiched to las a person a lifetime! I had a great day.