We woke up in Running Brushy to the ATLAS committee banging on the glass windows of the gym. After that everything was a blur of bagels and coffee and parents and announcements. Just as we did on the day of the send off in front of the fountain , Texas 4000 lined up at the front of the bus circle, and ceremonially began their ride to Alaska at the sound of an air horn. This time, however, we were followed by almost 400 riders.

Two really close friends joined me on my first official ride. Caitlin, my Austin roommate, with her father, and Brooke, a hometown girlie who made the drive with her dad. I rode the ride with Brooke and Randy who were brave enough to take on the challenge on mountain bikes. I hope they enjoyed the ride as much as I did, despite the heat, hills, and the stop to change a flat only 9 miles from finish.

It was surreal to have them there at send off, there with my Texas 4000 friends, and my bike, and my hills... I enjoyed the company so much, and I was so excited to share everything that I am doing this summer. Brooke and I jabbered non-stop for the entire 50 miles in the accelerated way in which we always speak around each other, which usually prevents anyone else from actually understanding the conversation. I am about 90% sure that Randy was more excited for the talking to end at the finish line than for the riding to end. If Caitlin or Brooke (and families) (and my mom and dad too) are reading this, know how much sharing day 1 meant to me. I am going to miss you and can't wait to see you in 69 days.

Finish line festivities were awesome. We ended in Texas Legato, a vineyard in Lampassas, where the owner volunteered his space and time and took AMAZING care of us. The ATLAS team was on the ball. There were massages, BBQ, live music, and ice cream. But, by far, the best part of ATLAS is always the mingling of past, present, and future riders in one place. Past riders are way more than willing to share advice. Butter your chamois. Don't wear underwear. Perfume attracts bears. Without these riders, we would certainly have many more unmentionable sores and significantly less pleasant encounters with wild life this summer.

I also had the added bonus this ATLAS, of being constantly aware, inconspicuous as he was, that I was being photographed 10000 times per minute by my father. Despite what he may believe, none of those photos are quite candid. My parents had met me at the finish line cheering along with Brooke's family. We enjoyed BBQ together and chatted it up before hugging goodbye. I promised my mother that for safety I would stay in the middle of the pack, unless heading directly towards a cliff in which case I was given permission to take up the rear.

After everything shut down, the 08 and 09 teams camped in the vineyard under a beautiful full moon and woke up for my favorite send off so far. ... but you'll have to go to day 2 to learn why it was so awesome.