Hancock, Md

Herbie & Tony

Per the STOP PRESS>>> announcement yesterday, the Final Countdown nears...

" Yo DC! You prob have most of the info from our phone chat but thought I'd do some more notes while I'm waiting for Bugola to get out of the shower...Tough going in those Appalachian mountains today. Had to settle with stopping in Hancock, Maryland although we'd hoped to get further.

Looks like we've 1 more significant climb tomorrow morning then we should be clear of the big hills!Good luck to Trumpton AFC tonight in the NY 'metrosoccer' league. I hear the results have been going well the last few weeks lads. Should I be worried about getting my place back? I'm available for selection next week...

Special mentions today:Mike at "Cycles and Things" bike shop in Cumberland who gave us a service, new tyres and sorted my back wheel - he almost keeled over when he saw the state of Buggy's back tyre (which resembled the top of Tobsy's 'seymour' head) and possibly explains the puncture count which now stands at Bugs 13 - 3 CT for the tour.

Had a nice breakfast stop with Cheryl and the team at the "Lil Corner Market" in Frostberg, who took a surprisingly high level of interest in our expedition. A big hello from me to the formidable, stylish and simply sensational IAC (International Admissions Center) and all at the Study Group USA corporate office. Thanks for your messages, in particular the inspirational and profoundly motivational 'cheer-a-mid'. I'll see you all soon guys - you rock"

Good news CT as the famous TAFC secured a memorable 5-2 win in your honor featuring a very unSpurs-like (in fact, quite unRudy-like) display of finishing from Rudy 'World' Ceres (BTW, I just noticed an uncanny resemblance between him & Herbie Hancock), a solid defensive performance and, at the 'core' of the team, keeper Steve Apple who made sure that we didn't 'crumble'...