27 Ate 17. A Sunday

Bill still here, or returned, depending on your POR (point of reference). Survived HH100 w/ another long story. Hurricane Harv is factoring in, domestic chores and work/work ALL figuring in AND impacting not just this days entries but them behind schedule will in all likelihood remain in the can.

For the time being aka 'foreseeable future'.

There is so, so much here & now Phans that documenting and recording in a lucid, logical manner presents a task of NEAR Biblical proportions so let’s begin there, shall we ?

Hurricane Harv made his presence felt at the hh100. Half of the Wicked Strong team was forced to abort and did not make the trip from Houston.

In a command decision, it was determined that it was much wiser to remain in place with young children rather than travel PLUS FB was called to duty, Team A First Responder for further unheard of comp rate so she was all over that.

Watching telly from WF on ‘progress’ of Harv, where they were was on the fringe so she was standing by and finally got the call this (Sunday) AM and will remain at the hospital until further notice.

This leaves S2 as Dad & Mom for FBNG & GS1 which should be an interesting challenge.

FB sent images of her commute into work and I will make every attempt to include an exemplary image time permitting. But tune into cnn yourself and you should see something to give you the idea if you in fact NEED to be so stimulated.

The false media LOVES this sort of thing because they can report on it ad nauseum and no one will get sick of it. It WILL BE the only news for some time giving President Trump some much needed 'time off.'

Attended Mass this AM and collectively prayed for those in Harv’s path. No problem with that.

SO HOW WAS THE RACE, 2017 HH100. DID YOU FINISH ?

Yes Virginia.

First AND FOREMOST, for Team Wicked Strong riders it is NOT a race but rather a ride. And it ALMOST wasn’t.

Forecast was for a 30% chance of rain from Harv even up in WF. The storm was THAT big.

Anyway, with the contingent cut in half, more decisions were required to be made. During a phone call or text, it was made known that the Admiral (Mikey) was wanting to ride but not alone.

FB & S2 in years past had done 25M with Mikey her as Traveling medical unit as Mikey has some cardiac issues and a built-in defibrillator so as a little excuse she rides shorter distance to be with Mikey & S2.

Have I ever mentioned that she is no dummy ?

I also wanted to ride, recall I had been in training since 1 Ju for 100M or back-up/fall-back 100K.

Toss ALL THAT out the window ?

NIX !!

The Admiral & Commander huddled, consulted electronically and decided 'We SHALL Ride'. We had after all the room at Scooter’s house reserved, no issues there either way, so we worked out logistics leaving at different times & independently.

Separate vehicles was smart as all will attest later.

I got a later than planned & desired lift-off and traffic on 380 out of McK was a crapping nightmare.

Stoplights, construction and idiots with licenses to drive caused a nearly 45 minute trip to Denton, one of the armpits of Texas or the world for that matter.

But I am digressing and I need to stay focused & on task as work/work is a FULL ate (8) hours and lunch, laundry and some domestics chores still need addressing.

It rained off & on much heavier approaching WF. I got texts from Ground Zero and Harv reports and as I approached WF, the Admiral was ALREADY there & waiting. And he left after I did FROM FURTHER AWAY.

Go figure.

We met up at the MPEC and rather quickly bought each other cold adult beverages and had a strategic session planning activities for the next 24-48 hours. Specifically dinner.

Here is a summary of the process, what transpired and resulting acitivity.

The Admiral was antsy and I wanted to take a turn around the exhibition area set up at the convention center. All sorts of things bike related from apparel, bike equipment, nutritional suppliments a to z. Under ‘J’, junk and ‘the best jerky in Texas.’

Mikey left the building with a short list and made a stop to fill said list of steaks, veggies to grill, a salad-in-a-bag, vino and garlic bread and we would reconvene at Scooter’s. Copy, 10/4 and over.

The excitement at the new GZ (ground zero) was building, contagious & infectious. People watching was superb. From body shapes, sizes to tee-shirts the visuals were all worth taking in, at given moments stunning and simply added to the ambiance.

The lady at registration commented on my Peach Pedal (peach colored) shirt. Said there was someone else there wearing the EXACT same shirt.

‘SHIZAMM’ I says. ‘I’ll have to go back to the car and make a change.’ Big & best smile but I LIED.

While strolling & sipping, I actually ran into someone I knew !! Bobby Brew, an artist, biker & carver from McK shouted ‘Hey Bill’. After first ducking fearing it just MIGHT BE the law, I relaxed seeing the friendly face. We chatted and soon parted.

Then I started chatting it up with an elderly gentleman, or an old geezer, wearing a well-worn Red Sox ball cap. Talk about sad stories …

He was from OK, not riding, but staying with a friend (that WAS riding) as his house had just burned down. After hearing this, I offered sorry and words of compassion and his reply was commendable, honorable and worth noting.

Simply. ‘It happens.’

Fast forward because the laundry alarms are going off …

I made it to Scooter’s, right behind the Admiral arrival and after cocktails & a ‘happy hour’ (1.5 hrs actually), yours truly was either delegated OR stepped up but perhaps otherwise assigned KP duties at the grill.

This could be another secondary image but at this time with the sand running thru the glass, it MIGHT NOT make it.

The grilled veggies, two (2) squash, zuccini & yellow-necked, eggplant were cut by Mikey NOT to my specifications but I opted NOT to fight that battle at the time. He did afterall outrank me so I just let it go.

The grilled veggies were superb as were the four (4) rib-eyes done to perfection. Compliments from ALL to the Chef aka Commander. The grill was a bit of a challenge and I had to made some changes & corrections on the fly so as not to over-cook or spoil the presentation one (1) iota.

OK. Must dash.

Send in your $$. Nominations are NOW OPEN so make your applications to ride in 2018 with the Wicked Strong team of riders, supporters or wanna-bees. For a mere $50K you and your group can be part of this magnificent global biking event WITH the coolest people on the planet. It IS a bargain for the price,

You WILL NOT want to be left out. DO NOT WAIT until the last minute as some do, por favor. We expect many applications. Many will inquire with the desire for an extremely low number of available slots.

Ciao.

PS: For more detailed accounts including the rest stop at Sheppard AFB WITH PHOTOS, send a BF (Ben Franklin = $100) asap before I forget about this SPECIAL OFFER.

I have left out mucho in the interest of the time squeeze.

ALL laundry is done.

Breakfast has become or WILL BE lunch.

And I MUST scoot to work.

WS