It was the Statesville 400K - meandered from Statesville through Lenoir, then Marion, then up and over through Little Switzerland, past Emerald Mines, then back up and over on 80 to Marion, then back. Great route, midnight start, all good. I had that spell I wanted to quit, but was glad I went on - what a great climb. My thoughts about how slow you go was driven home when I was climbing back up to the Blue Ridge the second time and two women just blew past me on the climb. Then I realized that I was 140 miles into my ride, I had started at midnight with only a nap, and I was carrying a few extra pounds of gear. I had gotten separated from the folks I was with during the night (I get dropped on the descents -oh and my front brake was rubbing for 110 miles - go figure) and was alone when I got hit by a dog. Somehow stayed upright, and the dog looked okay, but confused. Then around mile 175, my knee just started to kill me whenever I bent it. I was coasting down everything I could, even just a slight downhill grade. I was gonna keep going, but the ride director drove up to check on me, and I knew I should give up. If I hadn't, it would have taken me hours for the last 50 miles. As it was, my knee hurt so badly afterwards that I was in tears trying to walk to the restroom. I need to figure this out before my next attempt!