PTC to Talladega National Forest, Cleburne County, Al I had little choice in the matter of whether or not to attend this year's Cheaha Challenge. Several things just clicked into place this year. Usually I am thinking about it months out, and since the ride is on a Sunday and I have long since learned it's too difficult to try to work the day after, I usually combine it with a vacation, and usually a bikepacking trip. Last year the ride couldn't be held due to Covid. I made up for it by riding to the top of Cheaha Mountain and back on the day it was supposed to take place. I didn't think much about it this year as my mind has been elsewhere. But the stars aligned and I am in between trips. Weather forecast is as perfect as one could imagine. I just got the 2nd dose of the vaccine. Just Thursday the CDC threw caution to the wind and declared that people who are vaccinated can go without a mask or social distancing. And to top it off, I didn't even have to sign up, my registration from last year transferred over. So since I have the time I decided to bikepack to and from the event. I scrambled a bit this week and did some much needed maintenance on my road bike to get it ready. Finally after cursing myself year after year that I don't have enough gearing for the steep climbs, I think I finally have enough this year. I have an aluminum Rotor 11-46 12 speed cassette and a 44 tooth chainring with a freshly waxed chain.(using a Sram XO Eagle derailleur, which I can get away with since I use a friction bar end shifter) I found a dent in my front rim on Wednesday and thankfully had a spare one that I was able to swap out. Also had to change rear brake pads as the old ones were toast. Pretty new GP 5000 28mm tubeless tires with a healthy amount of sealant. This first day's goal was to bang out as many miles as I could to make tomorrow easy. Conveniently Jacksonville is close to the Talladega National Forest so I just found a flat spot in the woods not far off my route. Just a bit shy of where the Pinhoti trail crosses the road. There is a creek nearby but I probably won't need it as Piedmont is very close by.