Dahlonega to Home

245.3 Miles. We didn’t go to the start and didn’t dare try the finish, but instead went to Clarkesville to see the tour roll through. We camped out on a corner just after the sprint line and watched the remaining riders come through in a bunch. After that we just drove home. We have no desire to deal with the final day and the huge crowds in Alpharetta. Plus we always like to be home on the Sunday before returning to work so we can decompress from vacation. Total trip distance was 944.4 miles and there were 24 top transitions.

As you can see I posted a bit about each day on a post dated that day through the wonders of MT entry editing. Come back tomorrow or the next day as I’ll be posting a picture for each day too. I may even try and match them to the three photo memes I’ve been entering regularly…

Started up, went down, back up, back down, still down.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/05: 121

Rome to Dahlonega

154.8 Miles. For today we staked out a spot on the first climb of the day, a category 2 climb to the top of Fort Mountain. We were joined by about a dozen other people at our little wide gravel spot about 3/4 of the way up. We chatted up a few other fans and even helped one guy write GO EKI in big letters with chalk in the road.

After the riders were all by, we drove back down the mountain and leapfrogged around them to get to the finish in Dahlonega. Even though the skies were threatening we had the top down all the way until about 15 miles from town when the surrounding black skies caught up with us. (Note: You can raise the top on a Miata while going about 35 MPH if the passenger helps. :)) About 5 miles later the Emperor passed through the 23,000 mile mark, right around the time the HAIL started. Not big, but a little frightening for a while there, what with the blinding rain and flashes of lightning that accompanied it.

Started up, went down, back up, back down, up again, still up.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/05: 118

Around Rome

61.0 Miles. We got up EARLY and drove the day’s 18.6 mile time trial course. Tough damn climb in the middle and if the cyclists had ever stuck their heads up while competing they would have seen some beautiful views. Then again maybe not, as it got cloudy and then rainy by the time they went out.

We went to the start area and watch a half dozen of the 140 odd riders start their TT. We then headed into downtown to the finish. We had lunch at a place called Harvest Moon Cafe, mmmmmm. Brian’s Local Eating Tip #27: The food is great at any place that has the words Moon & Cafe in it. When the rain really started coming down we snuck up to the back roof of the restaurant and hung out with several others under their umbrella-ed tables overlooking the finish line.

Later that evening (the rain had passed) we went to see a Rome Braves baseball game. I’ve got a whole wordy post about this experience that will come in the near future, so just hold your horses, OK?

Started up, went down, back up, back down, up again, down, up, still up.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/05: 114

Macon to Rome

233.0 Miles. Mistimed our arrival in Fayetteville and missed the start. We were one block away and could actually hear the announcer countdown from 5 to send the riders on their way. That meant we got stuck in the ensuing traffic jam. That made us almost miss our next peek at the riders outside of Carrollton. We had to pull off the side of the road and powerwalk about a 1/2 mile back to catch the peleton. We did have plenty of time to catch the finish in Rome.

Started up, went down, back up, back down, up again, down, up, still up.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/05: 108

Around Macon

61.4 Miles. We watched a bit of a women’s crit in downtown Macon and had planned on just hanging around waiting for the Tour de Georgia finish. We got bored, so we headed out of town and caught the Tour about 20 miles out. After they passed we raced back to the finish via an alternate route to catch them actually finish.

My plan for starting a dead musician’s grave site photo gallery was squelched when we visited Rose Hill Cemetery and couldn’t get close to the grave sites of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley because a state prison crew was doing some lawn maintenance.

Started up, went down, back up, still up.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/05: 102

Aiken to Macon

188.7 Miles. Breakfast – $3.79 (two muffins and OJ at the New Moon Cafe in Aiken, SC) Lunch – $7.14 (ruben sandwich & tomato & rice soup at Chester Dean’s in Sandersville, GA) Dinner – $28.00 (seafood teryaki & katsudon at Tokyo Grill in Macon, GA) Total $38.93 for both of us. Eat your heart out Rachel Ray.

Started down, went up, back down, back up, still up.
Miata Top Transitions since 01/01/05: 100