Trek and I both worked Day 0 at Tent Registration- my knees are killing me today. I'm not built to spend 8+ hours on my feet.

I wish I had pictures of the faces! I'd ask if this was their first ride - the newbies would have a terrified smile on their face. Furiously shaking their heads up and down saying yes. And intense listening when I explain all the little chips and what they're for. I'd finish, and they'd say "wait! The blue one is for my tent?" No, that's for your duffel, the little orange on the short chain is for your tent. "oooookay....." So cute.

And the veterans are so cool, especially the Positive Peddlers. You figure most of these guys didn't expect to be around 25 years after the firsts AIDS diagnosis. But here they are, and they're riding their fricking bikes to LA! One fellow I talked to is on his 11th ride, including one in Alaska.

velogirl - I get all teary when I see the riders too.