Dog Days of Dallas 2004 Report

• What: Metric Century on July 11, 2004 sponsored by the Gaston County Cyclists.  64,47, & 25 mile courses were used.  Partly cloudy skies kept temperatures reasonably low, at least until about 11:00 a.m.
• Numbers:  145 riders registered for the event.
  14 registered for the 25 miler;
  30 registered for the 47 miler; and
  101 registered for the 65 miler.
• Towns:  47 towns, 3 states & 2 countries were represented:
  From North Carolina riders registered from the towns of Gastonia, Sherrills Ford,  Lincolnton, Mt Holly, Dallas, Huntersville, Charlotte, Shelby, Belmont, Concord, Valdese, Kannapolis, Maiden, Kings Mtn, Harrisburg, Casar, Denver, Hickory, Davidson, Taylorsville, Connelly Springs, Stanley, Morganton, Greensboro, Cornelius, Cherryville, Bessemer City, Salisbury, Matthews, Iron Station, Denton, Waxhaw, Hudson, Vale, & Lenoir.
  From South Carolina riders came from York, Rock Hill, Lake Wylie, Greenville, Gaffney, Clover, Columbia, Fort Mill, Woodruff, & Spartanburg.
  From Colorado, Lakewood was represented.
  And from Canada one rider came from North Bay, Ontario.
• Internet:  65 of 145 printed their registration form from the website. 
• Members/Non-members:  82 of 145 (57%) were non-members.  Of the 63 members riding, 11 had just joined at registration.  The Gaston County Cyclists now has 157 members, at 128 addresses.
• Crashes  Unfortunately, riders fell in at least two separate incidents.  In the first, three riders crashed together.  In the second, one rider fell solo.  Apparently, none of the injuries sustained were too serious, but painful nonetheless.  Thanks to those riders that stayed back to help out.
• Ride Organizer:  Special Thanks to Steve Overstreet for organizing this year's event.  It's remarkable that Steve is able to serve as President of the Tarheel Cyclists, and organize such an outstanding ride for the Gaston County Cyclists, too.  Special thanks for securing the port-a-johns at the start/finish area, & arranging for the police escort out of the town of Dallas.   The aid stations were well-stocked, and the course markings were excellent (easy to see!).
• Post-ride meal:  Thanks to Papa's Pizza, & to our bike club volunteers for the excellent organization of the post-ride meal.
• Volunteers:  Most of all, thanks to the volunteers for their excellent work at registration, at the aid stations, along the route in SAG vehicles, and at the post-ride meal.  You were wonderful!