Rode 5 days this past week, probably around 150miles total. Funny thing, I rode the Decatur Group Ride on Thursday, flatted about 100yds outside Piedmont Park. Fixed my flat and continued on my way through the park and noticed people kind of scurrying everywhere. Next morning I read in the paper that they were having Screen on the Green (giant outdoor free movie viewing) and some punk kids started a big fight towards the back and some people claimed to have heard shots. Needless to say they stopped the movie about 15mins into it. Went from dodging cars to dodging bullets I guess (ha!).

On Saturday I did the Tucker Ride for the first time, which is one of the oldest group rides in the metro area. Correction, I did the "Baby" Tucker Ride. The B ride is for the slower riders. The A ride which leaves a half hour later is for all the hammerhead racers and such. Needless to say the B ride was at a 18+mph pace for the 50miles so it was just about right for me. I could probably do a B+ ride if there was such a one.

On Saturday afternoon we had our first Tour de France meet and greet so to speak and I picked up my bike box. We've got 80 people (cyclists and non-cyclists) going. I'm going Delta where most of the group is flying Air France, so I am sure I'll look like Barney Fife goes to NYC when I arrive about 3hrs earlier than most everyone else. I guess I'll hit the airport eatery for a little escargot eggs benedict. Actually, I think I'll pass on the EEB.

Went to Dahlonega yesterday for our second installment of mountain training, climbing the gaps, this time backwards. My bike had been making a kind of creaking sound and one of the guys who rode up near me, thought it might be a cracked frame. Oh great, just what I need, a cracked frame on my bike flying down the mountain at 30+mph for 5+ miles, oops!! there goes the handlebars. Anyway, I finished the first mountain climb got about halfway to the next and thought I better turn around and go back and have the bike checked out. I still wound up riding 31miles. Got home, cleaned the bike real well and couldn't see anything really. One of the water bottle mounts was a little loose, I tightened it and didn't really hear the creaking anymore. I'm still not convinced, so I'm going to ride tonite then have it checked at the shop tomorrow. I borrowed a friends bike that I can use while mine is in the shop and if the frame is cracked, I'll be fighting with the manufacturer for a new one. Stay tuned.