the rear.  It seemed like a train.  I got out of the way, quickly.

The next challenge was the descent on the Claremont Access.  I am not a great descender.  I am a chicken, if truth were told.  I got even more apprehensive than normally when I noticed that the road was wet. I could see a skid, a crash, a thigh and behind severely skinned...

But, breaks constantly on, I made it without incident.   But my forearms were tense.

At the bottom of the hill there was a little knot of spectators behind a barrier.  Someone applauded.  It cheered me no end.

Up the
Claremont.  Not nearly as tough as the

hill.  Much more gradual.  Riders continued to glide by, in two and threes.  Two Italians passed. I greeted them.  One returned the greeting in perfect English.

Up on ?the mountain? once more and now the final descent.  Body tenses again, even though I?m m ore used to this descent.  It?s really a beautiful road.  Riders susceptible to nature?s charms should be warned.  Pay attention.

I made it to the bottom without incident.   But as I turned past
St. Joseph ?s Hospital I was spotted by a race official as an impostor and asked to take the next exit.  I could have ignored her and tried my hand at that ?technical? turn at James and
Main but?. It would be a little farther to ride home.  I had a lot to do, etc.  I left the course.

But I did it (well, most of it)!