2013 Back Roads Century - prelude

So back in May when I rode the Storming of Thunder Ridge, I decided to attempt a Century by the end of the year.  I did some research on line and found the Back Roads Century in Berryville, VA.  I had been through Berryville several times on my way to PA, but have never stopped.  After posting a note on Facebook about it, I got a message from my WDBJ pal Hank telling me that he grew up in the area and that I could anticipate fairly flat, rolling roads.  

My original plan was to drive up on Saturday, set up my tent (it was free to camp vs expensive motel rooms) then go explore on bike.  Well it decided to rain and rain and rain.  As the forecast began to look worse and worse I elected to scrap the tent plan and sleep in the car.  I've done this in the past and it worked out well then.  I left Roanoke at noon Saturday for the 3 hour drive to Berryville.  It started raining about a mile from my house and would continue to be intermittent for the entire trip.  By the time I got to Berryville it was pretty wet.  I found the Clark Co fairgrounds where I'd be sleeping then decided since it was raining I'd go back to Winchester and go to the mall.  I found some nice work clothes on sale so this turned out to be a good stroke of luck. The monsoon hit about the time I planned to go back to the fairground and cook my dinner.  Sigh!  I wound up getting in touch with the other folks from Roanoke and we met at Ruby Tuesday.  Enjoyed meeting them and staying dry.  

I headed back to Berryville around 8pm and figured I'd just go to bed.  I snuggled down on my Thermarest in the back of my Jeep and drifted off to sleep as the rain continued to fall.  I woke up around 930p and realized the rain had stopped.   I dashed off to the potty and returned to fall sound asleep until about 2am.  After this I dozed on and off until finally getting up at 5:15am. 

The sky was clear, the moon was bright and the stars were beautiful. I stood and gazed up at them for a few minutes.  The air was crisp and fresh, it was going to be a great day....

To be continued...