Good evening sports fans!
Today, Day 4 lived up to it’s reputation as “The hard day”. 97 miles through Crawford’s Notch, over two mountain ranges, multiple river valleys, and a tough new route to a new hotel… It was tough on the riders, but all did well, everyone is in and safe, and some of them are still even talking to Tim. The end of todays route was three tough choices at the end of a long day- Long and tough, shorter and tougher, or shortest and toughest- Otherwise, “You can’t get there from here”.  The decision was made to go with the shortest and toughest option, using the “Ripping the band-aid off quickly” thought process… But we can’t build our own roads, move mountains, or reinvent topography, we can only play the cards we’re dealt. He had to make a tough choice, and he did what he thought was best.  It was tough at the end of a long day. Tim will not be allowed to join in any reindeer games until further notice. However, tar and feathers have been averted, and the Russian judge has rescinded the call for his execution.
There were a couple of short doses of rain today, ranging from barely a sprinkle to a brief cloud burst- but no lightning, so everyone was able to stay safely on route.
Dinner tonight was at the Applebees next door, at your desired time, with gift cards, a slightly different dining experience, but there were others at nearby tables to chat with.
While it was a tough day for the riders, it was also a tough day for the volunteers, this one included. The idea of being in bed before 10:00 and sleeping (If insomnia lets me) until 6:00 sounds better than having John Henry pick up my bar tab after a Sox game that went eighteen innings.

If you guys will excuse me, I think I’ll go cuddle with my wife and sleep as late as I can.
Until tomorrow.

Keep the wind at your back and the downhills in front of you,
GearMan