We don’t ride on the first day, as we only have time to set up camp and make food on Monday, so today is our first ride.  First we gotta get these guys packed up.  Again, they’re strangely way more together this year.  They seem to have a lot more fitness and organization this time around.  Either I’m getting this trip is getting more popular (unlikely), or the weather was so bad last year for these guys that the smart ones decided to try going inland instead of the West Coast.

It’s a shorter stage today, and the weather is AWESOME.   With only 20km to go, there’s no hurry today.  However, we seem to have a really tight group, and there’s no really slow riders.  In the past, we’ve had some guys ride an average of 5km/h, which is a walking pace.  These guys are doing more like 12km/h, and that includes stops.  Might have to reassess the ride plan if it’s going to be like this.

We had lots of time to hang out at Link Lake today, but I guess it was colder last night than many expected, as everyone had a good siesta when we rolled in to the camp mid-afternoon.  Our Saints staff member this year is the Head of Grade, which probably explains the level of organization and general good behaviour of our group.

Which is also why I’m a little bit conflicted about posting this pic of Phil eating marshmallows.  Sorry man, had to do it. 

These guys were to focussed on food to notice prime moments like that, though.

And Saroush is never going to forgive me for this one, but hey…

That’s a golden moment.  That first 20km was harder for some guys than others.  I wonder how tomorrow’s 50km will feel for Saroush?