:A2A 2001:     :A2A 2001 Finish!: 

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Athens-to-Atlanta 2001:  the 20th Anniversary Event!  Karin was skating the 38 mile distance, and Vlad and I were attempting to go the full 87 miles once more.  Warming up in Athens was a treat...it was a nice cool morning.

Whhhat was that crepe-papered mass?  Me thinks Mr. Eddy Matzger did not have time to create a costume this year and made do with crepe paper and balloons. 

Skaters began to line up at around 7:15 AM, with music blasting from the loudspeakers...the B-52s gave the perfect Athens-G.A. flavor to the morning and got everyone dancing.

At precisely 7:30, the starting gun rang, and off we went.

Notice Mr. Matzger still wearing his balloons for the start of the race.  He will shed these soon enough and take the lead!

And Karin and I head out of Athens...

Mid-Race Photos:  now, you must know that these photos were stolen, because the lead pack appears, and I can assure you that I was no where near them!  The pace lines formed early as the skaters left Athens in the crisp fall weather.

Eddy, sans balloons now, leads this paceline, while Dan Burger hams it up for the camera.

Take a look at this 9 year old, skating the 38 mile distance and keeping up with a fairly fast group of skaters!

The first half of the A2A course is by far the most grueling with respect to the hills, and Karin pushed and pushed and pushed the pace for all 38 miles.  The Dacula checkpoint Welcome sign signaled Karin's destination! 

Me, Vlad and the rest of the Team ICB skaters zoomed on through the checkpoint.  No rest for the weary.

I've got to tell you that I was feeling pretty rough around the edges at the 38 miles.  I was doubting that I had 87 miles in me.  But I chugged along and met up with a great paceline, including Gillian Clarke from Toronto (and fellow Tahiti skater!) and Alice Eads, world record holder!  These women really helped pull my act together...I pushed up the hills and they coaxed me down them. 

Karin and Bill had gone on ahead to the 71 mile checkpoint to meet me and make sure I was okay.  Karin ministered to the wounded skaters who were passing through the checkpoint. 

Vlad zoomed through the checkpoint first,  and seemed in fine shape for the last 16 miles.

Later, I came up Silver Hill, having conquered the dreaded descent without injury.

Gillian and I grabbed some water at the checkpoint and geared up again for the last few miles into Atlanta.

Team ICB skaters see the Atlanta City Limits sign, always a welcome sight!

Andrea took a good tumble and is has some good road rash to show for it.

On to The FINISH LINE! 

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