This Bud's for You, 12 September

We may not be quite there yet, but once the local schools are all back in session the numbers of Bud's riders tends to drop off, the shadows lengthen, the sun sits lower, and over there, just beyond reach of the finish line, the county fair's midway shows off - the end of summer days is not far behind. Were there nine riders tonight who crossed the line in three separate groups of three? Maybe.

I don't know who to declare the recipient of this week's Bud's crown; the SC Velo rider crossing the line first admitted that he "crossed the dam" - if you know what that means, then you may very well have some experience with the Ride. Anyway, this Bud's is for everyone who still finds the time and enthusiasm to make it out as the end of summer approaches.

"Throughout the soft and timeless days of August

'Til now the shadows begin to grow much longer

The sunset's fire has deepened blood red

I give you this, the last rose of summer..."

(Robert Halford / Glenn Raymond Tipton)