Today was by far the hardest day for me of the entire trip. Yesterday's 14 hours out on the road, for a total of 107 miles, combined with today's 9 hours and 100 miles (and headwind and recurring rain storms) made for one tough day for the entire team. When we arrived, we had time to shower before heading off to dinner at Fuddrucker's, where we were allowed to order anything on the menu. This was wonderful, except there was little time for much else.

By the time we left Fuddrucker's and performed a van drill where 16 members of the team jammed into the van to simulate a foul weather emergency in Yukon with no shelter, the evening was drawing on. Bredthauer, Obenour, and I went to Albertson's to buy food for 3 days, since we will have no provisions provided. By the time we got back and had the van semi-organized with the newly-acquired accouterments, it was after 2200. Many thanks to the ride leaders of Monday (Paul, Martina, and Bredt Bredthauer), Tuesday (Alok, Dan, and Mitch) and Wednesday (Lorig--aka the organizational goddess--, Brett Anderson, and me). After 100 miles, it's hard to want to do much but eat and sleep.

With another early rise and 95 miles tomorrow, I'm worn out and ready for bed. I keep meaning to make some phone calls, but today there was absolutely no time or opportunity for it.

Finally, a point of clarification. Paul Williams badly misrepresented me in his journal entry of today. I was not "scared" of being dropped, and drafting behind him is not always pleasant, as I experienced today. I was merely complimenting the women we rode with, who were mightily strong...but I think Paul and I could have taken them, with Paul giving me his 6'8" draft.

--Andy