An interesting comparison between winter riding in the north and riding through the winter in the south is the duration of the cold in the different locations. There are regions of our country that have only two seasons...winter and 4th of July. I cannot imagine riding through winters in Minnesota or North Dakota. However, I can only speak of my personal experience. I was raised in Virginia which is colder than Pensacola, but not near as cold as northwest Ohio where I spend a dozen years before moving to the Gulf Coast.
The winters in Virginia usually start in mid to late November. It is rare to see a white Thanksgiving, however the temps are such as to make cycling, shall we say, uncomfortable. This discomfort usually lasts until early to mid March before you can finally break out the bibs again. Most hardcore cyclists will ride through the winter with occasional days on the indoor machine. If you make the decision to not ride when the temperatures are below 40s, you will most likely have four to five months off each year.
Ohio, on the other hand, is brutal. I know, I know, some of us think we are animals for riding when the the thermometer drops below 50 and consider ourselves hardcore if we are out on a ride in the low 40s. However, consider our northern brethren, who on a daily basis for months are out on the roads in the 20s and even teens! You talk about pain...when it is that cold, it just hurts to be on the machine. But what choice do they have? Ride the indoor trainer until your brain becomes hamburger or put on just about every piece of winter riding clothes you own and head out for some suffering.
Winters in northwest Ohio start in October. Every year it snowed in October. Maybe not a lot, but enough to keep you off the roads. And it got cold. And talk about wind. So, winters started in October and I don't think I ever broke out the shorts before late April or early May...there may have been an exception, but it was rare. In fact, I remember one year it snowed 3 inches on the 5th of May. Snow for Cinco de Mayo! Therefore, if you're a rider in the beautiful regions of northwest Ohio and you have decided not to ride when it drops into the 40s, you may want to consider another sport. Chances are you will be riding less than 6 months a year.
Pensacola however, is a delight when it comes to winter riding. Sure we have days like today, lows in the 20s and highs in the 40s...and we can get some wind like yesterday. Cold and windy, it happens. As most of you know, we may have a few days in November and maybe a couple of weeks in December and January that are in the 40s. Usually by mid to late February though we're back to highs in the 60s and 70s. But, here's the difference, the duration. Up north, 6 months or more. Here, maybe 2 months. Maybe it's cold today, but wait a day or two and you're back in the saddle again.
So, we may complain about the chilly temps for a few days, (the Wednesday before Christmas we were riding in short sleeves and shorts). Yes, maybe we can't ride everyday this week, but we can ride most days...and we won't be off for months! Maybe a few days or a week or two before the temps are back to a (somewhat) comfortable level. In fact, it looks like 60s for Wednesday high.
Could be a lot worse. Anybody up for a road trip to Ohio for a week of winter riding? Not me...but, I'll be happy to give you some directions.
See you out on the road, (soon),
Bob
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Ride Schedule Change for Thursday and Friday
We have decided to change the start times of the scheduled rides on Thursday and Friday of this week. The original times were 8am. However, after checking the weather forecast and discussing with those of you who have, in fact, been riding, we decided to move the start times to 1pm for both days. This will also enable several of you who have mentioned you are getting off at noon on Friday to participate as well. Please see the Rides Calendar at the bottom...well, you know where it is!
Everyday this week we have had some hilarious antics within the small peloton. Good fun! Today we did the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. The winter cast of usual characters included; Coolio, the elder half of The Prenti, Foxinator, Tom Hereford, (who Coolio has nicknamed "Medivac"...don't ask) and yours truly. Actually, I was wondering about the Medivac nickname myself. But, when Tom showed up to the ride today wearing a jersey with large letters on the back reading, "Please Don't Run Me Over", well, I figured there may be a good reason for the nickname.
Coolio and the Foxinator went at it on almost every hill with Bobby winning most of them. (I'm sure he was anxious to redeem himself after the spanking he received at the hands of the big Clydesdale boy this past Monday on La Petit Alpe Duez. (See previous posting for the story) Don't get me wrong, the big boy won his fair share as well. However, on the most fought for summit the two amigos were neck and neck when, out of nowhere comes the elder half of The Prenti! He blew past them like a driveby egging on prom night and won the climb, thus possessing, albeit temporarily, the Polka Dot Jersey. This was met with great amusement by all but the little climber who seemed a bit, shall we say, peeved?!
However, by the end of the day, the Crusty Climbing (Donut Consuming) Curmudgeon had locked up enough points to secure the coveted King of the Mountains title once again. Congratulations Coolio!!!
Great fun on an absolutely beautiful cycling day! Tomorrow and Friday are forecast to be a bit chillier but come on out for some exercise before the feasting of the Holiday Weekend!
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Everyday this week we have had some hilarious antics within the small peloton. Good fun! Today we did the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. The winter cast of usual characters included; Coolio, the elder half of The Prenti, Foxinator, Tom Hereford, (who Coolio has nicknamed "Medivac"...don't ask) and yours truly. Actually, I was wondering about the Medivac nickname myself. But, when Tom showed up to the ride today wearing a jersey with large letters on the back reading, "Please Don't Run Me Over", well, I figured there may be a good reason for the nickname.
Coolio and the Foxinator went at it on almost every hill with Bobby winning most of them. (I'm sure he was anxious to redeem himself after the spanking he received at the hands of the big Clydesdale boy this past Monday on La Petit Alpe Duez. (See previous posting for the story) Don't get me wrong, the big boy won his fair share as well. However, on the most fought for summit the two amigos were neck and neck when, out of nowhere comes the elder half of The Prenti! He blew past them like a driveby egging on prom night and won the climb, thus possessing, albeit temporarily, the Polka Dot Jersey. This was met with great amusement by all but the little climber who seemed a bit, shall we say, peeved?!
However, by the end of the day, the Crusty Climbing (Donut Consuming) Curmudgeon had locked up enough points to secure the coveted King of the Mountains title once again. Congratulations Coolio!!!
Great fun on an absolutely beautiful cycling day! Tomorrow and Friday are forecast to be a bit chillier but come on out for some exercise before the feasting of the Holiday Weekend!
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Three Amigos at it Again
The weather was absolutely beautiful yesterday afternoon as the Three Amigos headed out for a ride from Coolio's house. The pace was easy as right out of the gate we had to wait for Bobby because there was a lawn care guy blowing leaves. It seems that the Crusty Climbing Curmudgeon didn't want his bike to get any dust on it...go figure. We stopped by Firestone and Summit at 1:15pm but no one was there so we continued on.
We initially had a bit of trouble in deciding what route to take so we kind of putz around the neighborhoods of eastern Pensacola. We finally choose to head towards Ellison Park and then loop back around the upper Figure 8 for somewhere around 30 total miles. All we're agreeable so the pace quicken a bit.
Coolio was in one of his bantering moods as only the Masterbanter can be. If you've never ridden down the road listening to this mouth spouting, you don't know what you're missing...uh, kinda. It is a mixture of boasting, badmouthing, complaining, whining and a joke or two thrown in just for the fun of it. It used to annoy me, but now I just egg him on. Tim Fox did as well!
After a number of miles and a larger number of comments from the Mouth of the South, the Foxinator had just about his fill and threw down the gauntlet! He challenged the little climber to a race to the top of La Petit Alpe Duez! (For those of you who have no idea the location of this climb, it is the back entrance to Ellison off Scenic Highway.) It is a beast. Generally considered the steepest in Pensacola, topping out at a whopping 16% gradient...according to Coolio's computerized slopeometer thingy on his handlebars. Regardless, it is brutal for all but the strongest among us.
The two competitors had me go up first so I could judge the winner, thinking it may be close. Once at the summit, I turned around at the curb to see the two climbers already on the climb. It was neck and neck with the big Clydesdale boy tweaking his Trek carbon fiber standing on his big chainring like a huge V-12 Diesel engine. All the while the little 4 cylinder climber was seated whining out at a high rpm on his Lynskey titanium machine. (This was really fun to watch!!!)
Through the first two turns it was very close...anybody's guess as to the winner. At one point it appeared the little Crusty Curmudgeon had the better of the big Clydesdale whose powerful pistons each weighed more than the little climber soaking wet. Then here comes roaring back the big boy as if to say, "Stay thirsty, my friend." Uh...rather, "Not yet, my friend." It was back and forth, back and forth until the last turn...
That's when I saw the big behemoth himself put the hammer down in such a way as to make all big Clydesdales proud! You should have seen it...the fans were going wild! The Foxinator was pulling so hard on the bars that they were almost perpendicular to the pave'. (That's "asphalt" for those of you less fortunate than my bilingual self.) It was amazing! He was stompin' so hard on those pedals that I thought his crank arms would snap..."It was impressive!" (Expressed in my best Paul Sherwen accent.)
Across the line in victory came the Foxinator ripping the Polka Dot Jersey from the shoulders of the longtime King of the Mountains! Then the clock started, waiting for the little Climber to cross the line. Two seconds...four, five...nine, ten...twelve seconds later the Masterbanter comes across complaining of a missed shift halfway up the climb. (Who does he think he is...Andy Schleck?!) Great fun! I haven't laughed so hard on a ride in a long time.
The whole ride home Coolio was explaining the cause for the defeat. Everything from the climb was too short or not steep enough to a missed shift and the use of the wrong chamois creme! He even sprinted ahead on a freeway overpass trying to gain any victory on any climb. Like I said, we all laughed the whole way home...sorry so many of you missed the latest peloton antics! It really was the most fun this rider has had on a ride in many months.
No need to fret though, we're riding today and everyday this week! I can't guarantee the weather, but I can guarantee the antics! Come on out!!! Check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Bloganoid for all the details!
See you out on the road,
Bob
We initially had a bit of trouble in deciding what route to take so we kind of putz around the neighborhoods of eastern Pensacola. We finally choose to head towards Ellison Park and then loop back around the upper Figure 8 for somewhere around 30 total miles. All we're agreeable so the pace quicken a bit.
Coolio was in one of his bantering moods as only the Masterbanter can be. If you've never ridden down the road listening to this mouth spouting, you don't know what you're missing...uh, kinda. It is a mixture of boasting, badmouthing, complaining, whining and a joke or two thrown in just for the fun of it. It used to annoy me, but now I just egg him on. Tim Fox did as well!
After a number of miles and a larger number of comments from the Mouth of the South, the Foxinator had just about his fill and threw down the gauntlet! He challenged the little climber to a race to the top of La Petit Alpe Duez! (For those of you who have no idea the location of this climb, it is the back entrance to Ellison off Scenic Highway.) It is a beast. Generally considered the steepest in Pensacola, topping out at a whopping 16% gradient...according to Coolio's computerized slopeometer thingy on his handlebars. Regardless, it is brutal for all but the strongest among us.
The two competitors had me go up first so I could judge the winner, thinking it may be close. Once at the summit, I turned around at the curb to see the two climbers already on the climb. It was neck and neck with the big Clydesdale boy tweaking his Trek carbon fiber standing on his big chainring like a huge V-12 Diesel engine. All the while the little 4 cylinder climber was seated whining out at a high rpm on his Lynskey titanium machine. (This was really fun to watch!!!)
Through the first two turns it was very close...anybody's guess as to the winner. At one point it appeared the little Crusty Curmudgeon had the better of the big Clydesdale whose powerful pistons each weighed more than the little climber soaking wet. Then here comes roaring back the big boy as if to say, "Stay thirsty, my friend." Uh...rather, "Not yet, my friend." It was back and forth, back and forth until the last turn...
That's when I saw the big behemoth himself put the hammer down in such a way as to make all big Clydesdales proud! You should have seen it...the fans were going wild! The Foxinator was pulling so hard on the bars that they were almost perpendicular to the pave'. (That's "asphalt" for those of you less fortunate than my bilingual self.) It was amazing! He was stompin' so hard on those pedals that I thought his crank arms would snap..."It was impressive!" (Expressed in my best Paul Sherwen accent.)
Across the line in victory came the Foxinator ripping the Polka Dot Jersey from the shoulders of the longtime King of the Mountains! Then the clock started, waiting for the little Climber to cross the line. Two seconds...four, five...nine, ten...twelve seconds later the Masterbanter comes across complaining of a missed shift halfway up the climb. (Who does he think he is...Andy Schleck?!) Great fun! I haven't laughed so hard on a ride in a long time.
The whole ride home Coolio was explaining the cause for the defeat. Everything from the climb was too short or not steep enough to a missed shift and the use of the wrong chamois creme! He even sprinted ahead on a freeway overpass trying to gain any victory on any climb. Like I said, we all laughed the whole way home...sorry so many of you missed the latest peloton antics! It really was the most fun this rider has had on a ride in many months.
No need to fret though, we're riding today and everyday this week! I can't guarantee the weather, but I can guarantee the antics! Come on out!!! Check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Bloganoid for all the details!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Impromptu Rides This Week
For anyone who has taken some time off this week and would enjoy some exercise, we have scheduled a few rides this week as well as next week. Please check our Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogazoidal for more details. The pace will be easy to moderate. If you wonder what that means, just check out the handy Pace Chart at the bottom of this same Blogification.
Well, only a couple of weeks left in this year's Eating Season. How are you doing? The most difficult weeks are these last two...for most of us anyway. Therefore, we have scheduled a group ride almost everyday between now and New Year's Day! Come on out and take advantage of the draft of the peloton.
I've seen several of you out the last few days including two Happy sightings! Harland "Happy" Williams that is! It is great to see him and Chung Hgyun back out on the machines after their crashes the last couple of months. I understand Josh "Danger" Sharpe is back in the saddle as well! Yesterday morning, in the cold damp air, Tim "Foxinator" Fox, Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo, David "Two Wheels" Mayo, "Danger" and a masked charioteer rode the Twisted Point Loop. I heard it was brutal with that nasty wind!
It was good to see John "Gianni Bugno" Duke and the man himself, the "new" Coolio as well as Happy and Left Lane on the ride this afternoon. The weather was chilly, but sunny, making for good riding conditions. We also ran into Pensacola's finest this afternoon as well...Sgt Chris Huffman n puff'n was out training for his New Orleans marathon that he will run in February.
Well, only two weeks left in 2010...can you believe that?! Let's make the most of it! Hope to see you all out on a ride soon! And, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Well, only a couple of weeks left in this year's Eating Season. How are you doing? The most difficult weeks are these last two...for most of us anyway. Therefore, we have scheduled a group ride almost everyday between now and New Year's Day! Come on out and take advantage of the draft of the peloton.
I've seen several of you out the last few days including two Happy sightings! Harland "Happy" Williams that is! It is great to see him and Chung Hgyun back out on the machines after their crashes the last couple of months. I understand Josh "Danger" Sharpe is back in the saddle as well! Yesterday morning, in the cold damp air, Tim "Foxinator" Fox, Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo, David "Two Wheels" Mayo, "Danger" and a masked charioteer rode the Twisted Point Loop. I heard it was brutal with that nasty wind!
It was good to see John "Gianni Bugno" Duke and the man himself, the "new" Coolio as well as Happy and Left Lane on the ride this afternoon. The weather was chilly, but sunny, making for good riding conditions. We also ran into Pensacola's finest this afternoon as well...Sgt Chris Huffman n puff'n was out training for his New Orleans marathon that he will run in February.
Well, only two weeks left in 2010...can you believe that?! Let's make the most of it! Hope to see you all out on a ride soon! And, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Friday, December 17, 2010
Back to Live Action
I took a little time off and traveled to the Virginia side of the Graves clan. Visited with my brothers, sister and their families, good fun. Also, since we had not been to the Washington, DC area in more than 10 years, we, meaning the lovely Mrs Graves, Jonners, (aka: The Boo) and myself walked some of the monuments and museums. I really enjoyed the time away with them. If you have never been to Washington, you should go, just not in the winter. It was freezing! I recommend April.
But now...it's back to live action!
Who wants to ride?
Man, I haven't been on the machine in over 2 weeks. Yesterday I went out to my garage to mount the beast and I was having trouble remembering how. Thankfully, it starting raining, so I decided to leave it for another day...like today. I'll let you know how it goes.
We've decided to change the route for tomorrow morning's ride. Just the route, nothing else. We will still start at Fish and Wildlife at 8am, however we won't be doing the Around the Sound Loop. Instead, we'll run down Jackson, Lillian Highway, across Dog Track, (or across Bauer Road for those who want a bit longer route) and back on Gulf Beach Highway through Navy Point and downtown. Kind of a Navy Point Loop with a twist...it's the Twisted Point Loop! (Don't forget the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint)
The reason for the change is two fold. First, because few of our group have been putting in the miles for a 55 to 60 mile loop which is the Around the Sound Loop. The Twisted Point Loop will be closer to 40 miles. Second, we want to show our support to an out of town rider who Randy Bullock is hosting this weekend. His name is Carl Bratmiller.
Carl is traveling by bicycle from Austin, Texas, (home to Lance Armstrong and Stephen "Manchild" Mills. Uh...I'm not sure who is more famous locally but I know who should be!) to Gainesville, Florida. Carl is riding in support of his friend who is fighting cancer. Carl and Randy will be at the Everman's Health Food store Saturday from 10am until sometime late that afternoon. He will be doing free repairs on bikes (donations accepted) and promoting bicyclists awareness...something we can all get behind!
So, we will be cruising right past there around 10-10:30am and we can show our support by stopping by on our way home. All in favor?! Good it's unanimous! I knew I could depend on you guys...
Weather looks chilly. At ride time tomorrow morning, low to mid 50s with a breeze out of the north. I guess we won't see (the new) Coolio. That's okay he wouldn't be able to find his way to the Everman's Health Food store anyway. Maybe Carl can do one for Bobby at the Krispy Kreme. Can you say, "Pumpkin Spice"?
See you out on the road,
Bob
But now...it's back to live action!
Who wants to ride?
Man, I haven't been on the machine in over 2 weeks. Yesterday I went out to my garage to mount the beast and I was having trouble remembering how. Thankfully, it starting raining, so I decided to leave it for another day...like today. I'll let you know how it goes.
We've decided to change the route for tomorrow morning's ride. Just the route, nothing else. We will still start at Fish and Wildlife at 8am, however we won't be doing the Around the Sound Loop. Instead, we'll run down Jackson, Lillian Highway, across Dog Track, (or across Bauer Road for those who want a bit longer route) and back on Gulf Beach Highway through Navy Point and downtown. Kind of a Navy Point Loop with a twist...it's the Twisted Point Loop! (Don't forget the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint)
The reason for the change is two fold. First, because few of our group have been putting in the miles for a 55 to 60 mile loop which is the Around the Sound Loop. The Twisted Point Loop will be closer to 40 miles. Second, we want to show our support to an out of town rider who Randy Bullock is hosting this weekend. His name is Carl Bratmiller.
Carl is traveling by bicycle from Austin, Texas, (home to Lance Armstrong and Stephen "Manchild" Mills. Uh...I'm not sure who is more famous locally but I know who should be!) to Gainesville, Florida. Carl is riding in support of his friend who is fighting cancer. Carl and Randy will be at the Everman's Health Food store Saturday from 10am until sometime late that afternoon. He will be doing free repairs on bikes (donations accepted) and promoting bicyclists awareness...something we can all get behind!
So, we will be cruising right past there around 10-10:30am and we can show our support by stopping by on our way home. All in favor?! Good it's unanimous! I knew I could depend on you guys...
Weather looks chilly. At ride time tomorrow morning, low to mid 50s with a breeze out of the north. I guess we won't see (the new) Coolio. That's okay he wouldn't be able to find his way to the Everman's Health Food store anyway. Maybe Carl can do one for Bobby at the Krispy Kreme. Can you say, "Pumpkin Spice"?
See you out on the road,
Bob
Friday, December 3, 2010
A Glitch on the Rides Calendar
Everyone,
There is a giltch on the Rides Calendar. The next three Saturday rides are Canot showing on the Month View Calendar. However, you can view the Saturday rides on the Weekly View Calendar. If you are having difficulty viewing the Calendar, my apologies, it is a problem with Blogger (Google Calendar) and they will rectify as soon as they can.
FYI: This Saturday's ride is at 8am from Fish and Wildlife and we're headed towards Innerarity Point. The routwe is about 45 to 50 miles and the pace will be easy to moderate.
See you out on the road,
Bob
There is a giltch on the Rides Calendar. The next three Saturday rides are Canot showing on the Month View Calendar. However, you can view the Saturday rides on the Weekly View Calendar. If you are having difficulty viewing the Calendar, my apologies, it is a problem with Blogger (Google Calendar) and they will rectify as soon as they can.
FYI: This Saturday's ride is at 8am from Fish and Wildlife and we're headed towards Innerarity Point. The routwe is about 45 to 50 miles and the pace will be easy to moderate.
See you out on the road,
Bob
Monday, November 29, 2010
A Goose Egg, a Banana, a Turkey Leg and Other Cycling Foods
What an interesting few days of cycling this past holiday weekend. Some days we had very large groups and other days just a few showed up. However, all days seem to have it's measure of peloton antics...none more than Saturday, but more on that later.
Thanksgiving morning had the biggest group I have seen for this holiday ride. I think we had around twenty or so. It was advertised as an easy ride around the peloton fave Super Figure 8. We headed out under beautiful skies with the last minute admonition that we are having a "Parade Pace" ride and perhaps we could all stay together for this short 20 miles. Someone yelled out, "Tell that to the 3 wheeler guys!" Well, that must have been prophetic because no sooner had we turned onto Langley then off they went, David "2 Wheels" Mayo and Josh "Danger" Sharpe. A few of the peloton gave chase and so much for a friendly Parade Pace ride.
By the time we arrived at Spanish Trail several of the group were crying foul and "false advertising". Well, it all came back together before Creighton and the whining and barking quieted down as well. I love group rides, don't you? It's like trying to keep a herd of cockroaches going in the same direction.
The group rode together under a civil pace until the turn onto Burgess. The 3 wheelers started it again and half the bunch was off to the races. No one knows why or how or when these things happen, they just do. It usually slows as quickly as it starts only to find some wheezing and others smiling. The turn at the end of Burgess slowed the lead group a bit as they made the turn onto Langley. The group in back were a couple hundred yards back when they decided to take the shortcut...or as they explained later, "the actual route which just happened to be shorter."
The result of all this is that the hammerheads finished just behind the "legal" group at the finish...even though the parade pace peloton never exceeded 15mph or so. This made for some consternation of some at the finish area, but the glee of a few others. I'll leave it to you to decide which. Good fun!
Friday's ride was attended by a scant few as the weather had turned cloudy and a bit cooler. I believe Left Lane, Foxinator and 2 Wheels were the only riders up for the Avoid the Mall Ride. I guess some of the others were enjoying the delights of getting up at 4am for Black Friday. Yours truly shredded a rear tire on the way to Fish and Wildlife and DNS. That tire, by the way, is amazing. I had over 1,700 miles on it and never had one flat...until it gave up the ghost on Friday! I'll buy more of those. Hey guys, who won the Fried Twinkie Sprint?
Saturday's ride was a comedy of errors. Everyone knows about the last minute email and how some didn't get it until they got home hours later. ( We are working on a Cold/Inclement Weather Policy and should have something posted at the bottom of this Blogazoidal in a few days.) However, there was a group that started at 8am and did the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. I think they had around 6 to 8 riders. I understand they had a good, albeit chilly ride. There were 4 of us that started out at 10am.
The 10am group decided to do the same loop but got no further than Spanish Trail just north of Langley before Chuck "eN Love" Norton flatted. The Rustmeister offered his assistance as 2 Wheels and myself commentated. After a few minutes it appeared we would be on our way. However, after Chuckie reinstalled his wheel on his machine, the Mayor declared that Chuck had a Goose Egg on that repaired tire. This was met with no small amount of snorting and grunting from a now pretty frustrated Chuckie. So, the process started all over again.
Another ten minutes or so and we were on our way...however, not to UWF but rather back to Chuck's house. You see, while we had been waiting in the cold for 20 or so minutes, we got kinda chilled and more than one of us got kinda hungry. Some would say we were "Stoved up!" The Rustmeister asked Chuck to call ahead and place us an order with Sandy as he could, "Bust the knuckle off a turkey leg right now!"
Well, we arrived at the Norton's and Chuck disappeared into his garage and after a number of minutes emerges with a few tools that 2 Wheels needed to do some repair on his machine and the pump Chuck sought to up his level of confidence in the repaired flat. Sandy came out to greet us and after much begging and cajoling from a few of the group for a hot turkey sandwich with some mashed potatoes, dressing and some warm gravy, she returns and offers 2 Wheels a banana...which he quickly devoured.
Back in the saddle we headed downtown, then along Bayfront and back around the Bayou. All told 25 miles in 2.5 hours. Good fun, however it was the longest short ride I have ever ridden!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Thanksgiving morning had the biggest group I have seen for this holiday ride. I think we had around twenty or so. It was advertised as an easy ride around the peloton fave Super Figure 8. We headed out under beautiful skies with the last minute admonition that we are having a "Parade Pace" ride and perhaps we could all stay together for this short 20 miles. Someone yelled out, "Tell that to the 3 wheeler guys!" Well, that must have been prophetic because no sooner had we turned onto Langley then off they went, David "2 Wheels" Mayo and Josh "Danger" Sharpe. A few of the peloton gave chase and so much for a friendly Parade Pace ride.
By the time we arrived at Spanish Trail several of the group were crying foul and "false advertising". Well, it all came back together before Creighton and the whining and barking quieted down as well. I love group rides, don't you? It's like trying to keep a herd of cockroaches going in the same direction.
The group rode together under a civil pace until the turn onto Burgess. The 3 wheelers started it again and half the bunch was off to the races. No one knows why or how or when these things happen, they just do. It usually slows as quickly as it starts only to find some wheezing and others smiling. The turn at the end of Burgess slowed the lead group a bit as they made the turn onto Langley. The group in back were a couple hundred yards back when they decided to take the shortcut...or as they explained later, "the actual route which just happened to be shorter."
The result of all this is that the hammerheads finished just behind the "legal" group at the finish...even though the parade pace peloton never exceeded 15mph or so. This made for some consternation of some at the finish area, but the glee of a few others. I'll leave it to you to decide which. Good fun!
Friday's ride was attended by a scant few as the weather had turned cloudy and a bit cooler. I believe Left Lane, Foxinator and 2 Wheels were the only riders up for the Avoid the Mall Ride. I guess some of the others were enjoying the delights of getting up at 4am for Black Friday. Yours truly shredded a rear tire on the way to Fish and Wildlife and DNS. That tire, by the way, is amazing. I had over 1,700 miles on it and never had one flat...until it gave up the ghost on Friday! I'll buy more of those. Hey guys, who won the Fried Twinkie Sprint?
Saturday's ride was a comedy of errors. Everyone knows about the last minute email and how some didn't get it until they got home hours later. ( We are working on a Cold/Inclement Weather Policy and should have something posted at the bottom of this Blogazoidal in a few days.) However, there was a group that started at 8am and did the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. I think they had around 6 to 8 riders. I understand they had a good, albeit chilly ride. There were 4 of us that started out at 10am.
The 10am group decided to do the same loop but got no further than Spanish Trail just north of Langley before Chuck "eN Love" Norton flatted. The Rustmeister offered his assistance as 2 Wheels and myself commentated. After a few minutes it appeared we would be on our way. However, after Chuckie reinstalled his wheel on his machine, the Mayor declared that Chuck had a Goose Egg on that repaired tire. This was met with no small amount of snorting and grunting from a now pretty frustrated Chuckie. So, the process started all over again.
Another ten minutes or so and we were on our way...however, not to UWF but rather back to Chuck's house. You see, while we had been waiting in the cold for 20 or so minutes, we got kinda chilled and more than one of us got kinda hungry. Some would say we were "Stoved up!" The Rustmeister asked Chuck to call ahead and place us an order with Sandy as he could, "Bust the knuckle off a turkey leg right now!"
Well, we arrived at the Norton's and Chuck disappeared into his garage and after a number of minutes emerges with a few tools that 2 Wheels needed to do some repair on his machine and the pump Chuck sought to up his level of confidence in the repaired flat. Sandy came out to greet us and after much begging and cajoling from a few of the group for a hot turkey sandwich with some mashed potatoes, dressing and some warm gravy, she returns and offers 2 Wheels a banana...which he quickly devoured.
Back in the saddle we headed downtown, then along Bayfront and back around the Bayou. All told 25 miles in 2.5 hours. Good fun, however it was the longest short ride I have ever ridden!
See you out on the road,
Bob
We're Just About Halfway
Come tomorrow, we will be halfway through the Eating Season. How are you doing? Gained anything yet? You know, like a extra notch in the belt or a dress size or are you about halfway towards the Dreaded Holiday 15?! Every year I struggle with this season...not the gift giving or parties and get-togethers, no I struggle with gaining a few extra and unneeded pounds. That is, until last year.
Last year, I had determined that I really didn't want a repeat of the illness that I had acquired the previous winter. Therefore, I took a hard look at my training log and what I was doing in terms of rest and food consumption. (I'm sure this is old hat for most of you but for this old rider who loves to eat, it was a new adventure.) After much scrutiny of the previous year's log and devouring two new books regarding training for cyclists, specifically cyclists over 50 years of age, I decided to try a few experiments.
Here's what I did last year through the Eating Season:
1. I decided to lower the intensity of my times on the machine. Usually, this time of year the actual miles on the bike are diminished because of lack of daylight, cold and/or rainy weather. However, I determined not to go into the red zone at all when riding during chilly weather. I just stayed in that fat burning zone. I really enjoyed those long slow distance rides. Besides, you can't go hard all year. My doctor had expressed that it isn't good for the lungs to have cold moist air rushing in and out of those guys. He said I need to find a way to warm the air up first, or just slow down the breathing. I chose the latter.
2. I cut out as much sweets as I could stand. I ate no candy, cake, pies, ice cream, (donuts) and especially no sodas of any kind. This was very difficult but I kept telling myself it is just through the Eating Season. I cheated a few times, however I noticed that each time I ate something sweet it made it harder to not eat the sweets again. So after a few battles with that, I decided it was easier to just go cold turkey and not cheat at all.
3. I determined to get as much rest as possible. I would go to bed early as often as I could. I would take naps on the weekends and generally try to get in a restful state whenever possible. This was no easy task as most of you know, this is the busiest time of year. However, I would look for times when I was, for example, waiting on the lovely Mrs Graves so we could leave for a party or shopping or something...at other times I would be busying myself with something around the house, but during that time last year, I decided to sit down in the recliner and put my feet up for a few minutes. More than once she had to wake me.
4. I really beefed up on the vitamins and herbs. I know some of you think this is a bunch of hooey. But, combined with the other experiments, I think it really helped. I mainly took Vitamin C with some A and E to supplement the multivitamin and I tried daily garlic, some zinc and also some echinacea if I felt like I was starting to fight a head cold or something.
The results of the experiments from last year's Eating Season?
I didn't gain a pound, (actually lost a few) and I didn't get sick. Yeah! Considering that not getting sick was my main goal so I was really glad about that. I'm trying it again this year...I'll let you know how it goes. Right now I'm in the battle with the sweets. Hope that's over soon!
Other observations:
The older I get, the more I am coming to realize how much what I eat and how much rest, or lack of rest, really affects my health. I know, I know, the healthcare professionals have been telling us that for decades. However, until I experimented, I truly didn't make the connection...I mean on a personal level anyway. It is easy to see how it could change the potato chip eating, football game watching sluggard on the sofa downing a few cokes to balance out the sodium he's consuming in all those chips. But, I didn't see how what I was eating was affecting me...in very real everyday life.
You know, there's a really old proverb that says this; "Everyone does what's right in their own eyes." Maybe that's a good reason to try a few experiments this Eating Season or anytime for that matter...to determine if what I'm doing and thinking it's right is actually best. Worth a try anyway. Or, I guess I could just wait until my doctor tells me otherwise.
See you out on the road,
Bob
Last year, I had determined that I really didn't want a repeat of the illness that I had acquired the previous winter. Therefore, I took a hard look at my training log and what I was doing in terms of rest and food consumption. (I'm sure this is old hat for most of you but for this old rider who loves to eat, it was a new adventure.) After much scrutiny of the previous year's log and devouring two new books regarding training for cyclists, specifically cyclists over 50 years of age, I decided to try a few experiments.
Here's what I did last year through the Eating Season:
1. I decided to lower the intensity of my times on the machine. Usually, this time of year the actual miles on the bike are diminished because of lack of daylight, cold and/or rainy weather. However, I determined not to go into the red zone at all when riding during chilly weather. I just stayed in that fat burning zone. I really enjoyed those long slow distance rides. Besides, you can't go hard all year. My doctor had expressed that it isn't good for the lungs to have cold moist air rushing in and out of those guys. He said I need to find a way to warm the air up first, or just slow down the breathing. I chose the latter.
2. I cut out as much sweets as I could stand. I ate no candy, cake, pies, ice cream, (donuts) and especially no sodas of any kind. This was very difficult but I kept telling myself it is just through the Eating Season. I cheated a few times, however I noticed that each time I ate something sweet it made it harder to not eat the sweets again. So after a few battles with that, I decided it was easier to just go cold turkey and not cheat at all.
3. I determined to get as much rest as possible. I would go to bed early as often as I could. I would take naps on the weekends and generally try to get in a restful state whenever possible. This was no easy task as most of you know, this is the busiest time of year. However, I would look for times when I was, for example, waiting on the lovely Mrs Graves so we could leave for a party or shopping or something...at other times I would be busying myself with something around the house, but during that time last year, I decided to sit down in the recliner and put my feet up for a few minutes. More than once she had to wake me.
4. I really beefed up on the vitamins and herbs. I know some of you think this is a bunch of hooey. But, combined with the other experiments, I think it really helped. I mainly took Vitamin C with some A and E to supplement the multivitamin and I tried daily garlic, some zinc and also some echinacea if I felt like I was starting to fight a head cold or something.
The results of the experiments from last year's Eating Season?
I didn't gain a pound, (actually lost a few) and I didn't get sick. Yeah! Considering that not getting sick was my main goal so I was really glad about that. I'm trying it again this year...I'll let you know how it goes. Right now I'm in the battle with the sweets. Hope that's over soon!
Other observations:
The older I get, the more I am coming to realize how much what I eat and how much rest, or lack of rest, really affects my health. I know, I know, the healthcare professionals have been telling us that for decades. However, until I experimented, I truly didn't make the connection...I mean on a personal level anyway. It is easy to see how it could change the potato chip eating, football game watching sluggard on the sofa downing a few cokes to balance out the sodium he's consuming in all those chips. But, I didn't see how what I was eating was affecting me...in very real everyday life.
You know, there's a really old proverb that says this; "Everyone does what's right in their own eyes." Maybe that's a good reason to try a few experiments this Eating Season or anytime for that matter...to determine if what I'm doing and thinking it's right is actually best. Worth a try anyway. Or, I guess I could just wait until my doctor tells me otherwise.
See you out on the road,
Bob
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!!! And other joyous occasions...
So far this week we have had some very eventful rides. Monday we did the Navy Point Loop with the Big Boy taking out the Fried Twinklie Sprint for the first time in many months. Usually, either the Foxinator or Left Lane tweak their frames to come across the line for a prize that most of us would just as soon not have. However, those big Clydesdale boys love the Fried Twinkie. (I think probably anything fried...Oreo, Krispy Kreme, HoHos, pop tarts, etc.)
Tuesday saw the Clydesdales and the Kat herself (several times over a Shebeast Award winner) head out for about 30 miles across the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. However, before we got halfway around the Big Boy had some tire problems and the Foxinator broke a spoke. So, we limped home with the Kat hounding us for the slow pace.
This morning saw the Prenti, Stephen "Manchild" Mills and the Clydesdale boys rolling toward The Hammock. (It's easier to get in the Hammock than it is to get out), under the most beautiful November weather this rider has ever seen! The Grocer had a flat before he left the garage, but other than that it was a fantastic ride! Clydesdale boys took first and second across the Hammock Sprint line in a very exciting sprint that saw the Young Jedis calling foul. The judges ignored that antics like a European Soccer player faking an injury...those dudes must take acting classes!
Three great rides so far this week and it is only Wednesday. Somebody pinch me I think I'm dreaming!
Tomorrow's Thanksgiving Ride will be at 9am at Firestone and Summit. This annual (parade pace) ride will use our favorite Figure 8 course or some variation thereon. It is a classic and one not to be missed...unless you are Coolio in Hawaii. ( I wonder if they have Krispy Kremes there?!) Hope to see you all in the morning!
Check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogulation for the rides for the rest of this week. Remember, we are in the middle of the Eating Season so get out and ride to fend off the Dreaded Holiday 15!!! Come on!!!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Tuesday saw the Clydesdales and the Kat herself (several times over a Shebeast Award winner) head out for about 30 miles across the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. However, before we got halfway around the Big Boy had some tire problems and the Foxinator broke a spoke. So, we limped home with the Kat hounding us for the slow pace.
This morning saw the Prenti, Stephen "Manchild" Mills and the Clydesdale boys rolling toward The Hammock. (It's easier to get in the Hammock than it is to get out), under the most beautiful November weather this rider has ever seen! The Grocer had a flat before he left the garage, but other than that it was a fantastic ride! Clydesdale boys took first and second across the Hammock Sprint line in a very exciting sprint that saw the Young Jedis calling foul. The judges ignored that antics like a European Soccer player faking an injury...those dudes must take acting classes!
Three great rides so far this week and it is only Wednesday. Somebody pinch me I think I'm dreaming!
Tomorrow's Thanksgiving Ride will be at 9am at Firestone and Summit. This annual (parade pace) ride will use our favorite Figure 8 course or some variation thereon. It is a classic and one not to be missed...unless you are Coolio in Hawaii. ( I wonder if they have Krispy Kremes there?!) Hope to see you all in the morning!
Check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogulation for the rides for the rest of this week. Remember, we are in the middle of the Eating Season so get out and ride to fend off the Dreaded Holiday 15!!! Come on!!!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Ready for Cold Weather?
In the next week or so we will be issuing the most sought after and ever coveted Holiday Riding Schedule 2010. This schedule of rides will have our usual arsenal of shorter winter rides as well as two long rides we are going to attempt this Fall. If you have never done a long ride in cooler temperatures you are in for a real treat. Gone are the need to wipe your brow, drink incessantly and be pretty much spent by the time the temps hit 90. You can ride seemingly forever without the need to stop and fill the bottles. If you wear the right amount of layers, you can keep your personal temps at a level that is very comfortable...right between too cold and too hot. It can be a real pleasure to ride in chilly weather...or not.
I will put my cold weather riding prowess up against just about anyone...with the exception of Rob "El Roberto" Francis and perhaps John "Gianni Bugno" Duke. But those two dudes were born and raised in the frozen artic barren wasteland of the Great Lakes Region, so that's not a fair comparison. The main secret about cold weather riding is this; find how much to wear so you feel comfortable. This will be different for each individual and will take a bit of trial and error to discover.
Experiment. Go out by yourself at different temperatures at different times of the day. Try several layers, especailly those that can be later stowed in a back pocket. Also, here are some tricks from our cycling brethren up north:
1. Try a neck gaiter for temperature regulation (pull it over your mouth and nose on the downhills and into the wind and pull it back down when you are climbing)
2. Wear arm warmers under your long sleeve jersey
3. Several thin layers work much better than one or two thick ones (use the zippers on the layers often for temperature regulation)
4. Ear warmers work great for all but the coldest of rides
5. Try some toe warmers instead of booties which are heavier and tend to make your feet sweat, thus giving you cold feet
This winter riding season, many of us have expressed a real desire to not lose the gains in our fitness we have acquired through much hard work this past summer. Therefore, a strong effort will be made to offer rides throughout the Eating Season (uh, Halloween through New Year's Day) and through the chilly months until we emerge from the "winter of our discontent into glorious summer." ( in case you were wondering, "that's Shakespeare boys"...and that quote was the jockey who rode Seabiscuit) But I digress, uh, were was I...oh yes, glorious summer...which happens to be around the 1st of March!
So, we will keep up to date the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogazoidal. However, I most likely will not be posting as many blogifications as I have in the recent past. This is due to less fodder for the posts because there will be fewer of you characters riding! But, mainly because Coolio hates to ride in any temperature below 70. Less fodder, less posts. More fodder, more posts...It's a math thing.
Speaking of chilly temps...or at least I was thinking of chilly temps. We have decided to start this week's Saturday ride at 9am instead of 8am. This will give the weather a chance to warm above the low 40s before we head out on the road. (I'm giving 4 to 1 odds that we don't see the new Coolio.* Any takers?) We still start at Fish and Wildlife and we'll still do the same route, just start an hour later. Also, don't forget to turn your clock, (Spring forward, Fall back) this Sunday morning when you get up. Or, Saturday evening before going to bed. Bummer, no more daylight for midweek rides. However, we will be doing a midweek Bring Headlights Ride throughout the darker months.
Check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Bodacious Blogazoidal. And I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
* New Coolio: This is the "new" title Bobby gave himself a few weeks back. He claims that it means he will show up to more rides and take pulls, (stop laughing, that's not polite), and generally come out in the Spring a "new" Coolio because of all the winter training he has completed. Uh, please take note of Coolio's Weedhopper Training Matrix at the bottom of this Bloganoid for the "real" training Bobby will be doing this winter. (I'm still giving 4 to 1...)
I will put my cold weather riding prowess up against just about anyone...with the exception of Rob "El Roberto" Francis and perhaps John "Gianni Bugno" Duke. But those two dudes were born and raised in the frozen artic barren wasteland of the Great Lakes Region, so that's not a fair comparison. The main secret about cold weather riding is this; find how much to wear so you feel comfortable. This will be different for each individual and will take a bit of trial and error to discover.
Experiment. Go out by yourself at different temperatures at different times of the day. Try several layers, especailly those that can be later stowed in a back pocket. Also, here are some tricks from our cycling brethren up north:
1. Try a neck gaiter for temperature regulation (pull it over your mouth and nose on the downhills and into the wind and pull it back down when you are climbing)
2. Wear arm warmers under your long sleeve jersey
3. Several thin layers work much better than one or two thick ones (use the zippers on the layers often for temperature regulation)
4. Ear warmers work great for all but the coldest of rides
5. Try some toe warmers instead of booties which are heavier and tend to make your feet sweat, thus giving you cold feet
This winter riding season, many of us have expressed a real desire to not lose the gains in our fitness we have acquired through much hard work this past summer. Therefore, a strong effort will be made to offer rides throughout the Eating Season (uh, Halloween through New Year's Day) and through the chilly months until we emerge from the "winter of our discontent into glorious summer." ( in case you were wondering, "that's Shakespeare boys"...and that quote was the jockey who rode Seabiscuit) But I digress, uh, were was I...oh yes, glorious summer...which happens to be around the 1st of March!
So, we will keep up to date the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogazoidal. However, I most likely will not be posting as many blogifications as I have in the recent past. This is due to less fodder for the posts because there will be fewer of you characters riding! But, mainly because Coolio hates to ride in any temperature below 70. Less fodder, less posts. More fodder, more posts...It's a math thing.
Speaking of chilly temps...or at least I was thinking of chilly temps. We have decided to start this week's Saturday ride at 9am instead of 8am. This will give the weather a chance to warm above the low 40s before we head out on the road. (I'm giving 4 to 1 odds that we don't see the new Coolio.* Any takers?) We still start at Fish and Wildlife and we'll still do the same route, just start an hour later. Also, don't forget to turn your clock, (Spring forward, Fall back) this Sunday morning when you get up. Or, Saturday evening before going to bed. Bummer, no more daylight for midweek rides. However, we will be doing a midweek Bring Headlights Ride throughout the darker months.
Check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Bodacious Blogazoidal. And I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
* New Coolio: This is the "new" title Bobby gave himself a few weeks back. He claims that it means he will show up to more rides and take pulls, (stop laughing, that's not polite), and generally come out in the Spring a "new" Coolio because of all the winter training he has completed. Uh, please take note of Coolio's Weedhopper Training Matrix at the bottom of this Bloganoid for the "real" training Bobby will be doing this winter. (I'm still giving 4 to 1...)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Ride Schedule CHANGE
Saturday's Pine Forest Loop which was scheduled to start at 7am will be changed to start at 8am. We will still meet at Firestone and Summit just at 8am instead of 7am. This change was due mainly to the temperature for tomorrow morning according to the latest forecast. At 7am it is high 40s and dark. At 8am it is mid 50s and sunny.
Actually, it is due to Coolio's insistence that it is too cold to start a ride at that early hour. (The boy missed his calling. He should have been a lobbyist.) Bobby; no more gifts and I really cannot accept that cruise to the Panama Canal...it's a very nice gesture but the riding public is starting to get suspicious. And for the record, no, I don't want any Pumpkin Spice Krispy Kremes! Thanks anyway.
Good ride last night. We did the Figure 9. (It's the standard Figure 8 without the loop at the bottom...thus it's a 9.) Good group with the Brizzard boys, Left Lane, Coolio, a new guy named Matt and your's truly. The pace was very moderate until Maygarden. Several pulls at low to mid 20s, then baby Brizzard took off with Coolio trying to draft him through the S curve. He looked pretty good until his tongue got caught in his front spokes...slowed him down quite a bit. Ever seen tongue road rash? It's okay Bobby, I understand your mouth heals quicker than the rest of your body.
Needless to say the young Jedi won the sprint.
If you are interested, in about an hour is the biweekly Fox's Friday Frolic ride. About 40 miles at a moderate pace. With the chilly temps, I would guess a stop at Starbucks may be in order...I know it will be for tomorrow's ride!
Just a reminder that all ride details are on the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogazoidal.
See you out on the road,
Bob
Actually, it is due to Coolio's insistence that it is too cold to start a ride at that early hour. (The boy missed his calling. He should have been a lobbyist.) Bobby; no more gifts and I really cannot accept that cruise to the Panama Canal...it's a very nice gesture but the riding public is starting to get suspicious. And for the record, no, I don't want any Pumpkin Spice Krispy Kremes! Thanks anyway.
Good ride last night. We did the Figure 9. (It's the standard Figure 8 without the loop at the bottom...thus it's a 9.) Good group with the Brizzard boys, Left Lane, Coolio, a new guy named Matt and your's truly. The pace was very moderate until Maygarden. Several pulls at low to mid 20s, then baby Brizzard took off with Coolio trying to draft him through the S curve. He looked pretty good until his tongue got caught in his front spokes...slowed him down quite a bit. Ever seen tongue road rash? It's okay Bobby, I understand your mouth heals quicker than the rest of your body.
Needless to say the young Jedi won the sprint.
If you are interested, in about an hour is the biweekly Fox's Friday Frolic ride. About 40 miles at a moderate pace. With the chilly temps, I would guess a stop at Starbucks may be in order...I know it will be for tomorrow's ride!
Just a reminder that all ride details are on the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogazoidal.
See you out on the road,
Bob
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Fox's Friday Frolic
The Foxinator, in an effort to keep the good form he has acquired over the last few months, is once again doing a Fox's Friday Frolic. (I believe he is trying to do this every other week throughout the winter months) This week, uh tomorrow, we will meet at 9:10am at Firestone and Summit for a 40 miler at a moderate pace. Details on the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation.
If you are interested let me know or just show up tomorrow morning. Until then, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
If you are interested let me know or just show up tomorrow morning. Until then, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Must be the Time of Year?!
Saturday morning saw several of us heading out on the Back Door Loop under chilly, sunny skies. It was cool enough to wear a vest and arm warmers, but Left Lane was donning just a sleeveless jersey. He and some of the others may have wished for warmer attire. The pace was a bit frisky for the temperature. We rolled down Jackson and then Lillian Hwy at 20mph+. Some of the guys were doing beastly pulls into a mild headwind. We cruised across Dog Track and onto Gulf Beach Hwy to the back door of NAS.
The guard just waved us through...first time that ever happened. Usually they want at least a government issued photo identification, (GIPI), and sometimes they want to pat you down for pipe bombs, bazookas, handheld missile launchers, etc. But ever since that guard frisked Coolio, they just wave us through...
Must have something to do with lycra.
The pace slowed significantly as we paraded through the base. We stopped at a sunny corner by the golf course for the "pause that refreshes". Once back in the saddle we headed for the front door and the Fried Oreo Sprint. (I had incorrectly announced this as the Fried Twinkie Sprint (Navy Point Bridge) in a previous post...although it doesn't really matter it's all fried!) Anyway, the Fried Oreo Sprint is at the north end of the NAS Bridge and Left Lane, not being willing to be out done on anything fried, won the FOS easily...uh, nobody else actually went after it. Yep, the Fried Oreo Sprint is Left Lane, or FOSILL...yeah, that about sums him up.
And talk about awards; Carroll Ann Chandler hammered with the big dogs the entire ride. For this she is awarded the weekly Shebeast Award! Congrats to the lovely Mrs Woodrow Boodrow!
The rides have not been very well attended. I guess it must be the time of year. Perhaps tonight we will have a bit larger group. We leave promptly at 5:33pm because of the lack of daylight. In fact, you may want to at least have a rear flashing light for these few evening rides before the time change in about 10 days. The Saturday morning ride times will change in November as well. We move the time back to the 8am hour starting on Saturday November 6. This week however we will still be starting at 7am for the Pine Forest Loop.
Please check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details.
And I will...
See you out on the road,
Bob
The guard just waved us through...first time that ever happened. Usually they want at least a government issued photo identification, (GIPI), and sometimes they want to pat you down for pipe bombs, bazookas, handheld missile launchers, etc. But ever since that guard frisked Coolio, they just wave us through...
Must have something to do with lycra.
The pace slowed significantly as we paraded through the base. We stopped at a sunny corner by the golf course for the "pause that refreshes". Once back in the saddle we headed for the front door and the Fried Oreo Sprint. (I had incorrectly announced this as the Fried Twinkie Sprint (Navy Point Bridge) in a previous post...although it doesn't really matter it's all fried!) Anyway, the Fried Oreo Sprint is at the north end of the NAS Bridge and Left Lane, not being willing to be out done on anything fried, won the FOS easily...uh, nobody else actually went after it. Yep, the Fried Oreo Sprint is Left Lane, or FOSILL...yeah, that about sums him up.
And talk about awards; Carroll Ann Chandler hammered with the big dogs the entire ride. For this she is awarded the weekly Shebeast Award! Congrats to the lovely Mrs Woodrow Boodrow!
The rides have not been very well attended. I guess it must be the time of year. Perhaps tonight we will have a bit larger group. We leave promptly at 5:33pm because of the lack of daylight. In fact, you may want to at least have a rear flashing light for these few evening rides before the time change in about 10 days. The Saturday morning ride times will change in November as well. We move the time back to the 8am hour starting on Saturday November 6. This week however we will still be starting at 7am for the Pine Forest Loop.
Please check the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details.
And I will...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Full Moon Ride Tonight
What a great ride last evening. I think there were 9 or 10 of us as we headed out under a beautiful clear sky. The pace was the usual Wednesday evening friskiness with several of the peloton taking beastly pulls. Not to mention a couple of chronic wheelsuckers at the back. (Ooops, just did...but I'm sure you could of guessed who anyway!) The second time down Langley the pace went from frisky to hammerfest. However, the action started in earnest as we rounded the turn onto Maygarden.
I was riding Big Dog, (that's my nickname for the last of my Cannondales in the stable. I think I have sold 3 or 4 and this last one is a bit heavy but I want to keep her), as we made the sweeping left hander on Maygarden itself. I decided to test out the Big Dog as she hasn't been ridden in awhile. "Oh baby, let the Big Dog eat!" She cranked it right up and we were rolling. I finished my pull and Keith "Big Motor" Irwin pulled through with none other than the man himself Bobby "Coolio" Cooley taking a turn at the front. As Coolio slid over, "Katie bar the door!", Tim "Crusher" Fox took over with about 1.5k to go and had the bit between the teeth!
Crusher had it pegged on 26/27mph as we topped out on the final hill. The big Clydesdale boy was pulling at 27 uphill into a headwind! Absolute Sultan of Speed status. (SOS) As we pass through the S curve Big Motor launches a vicious attack with 350 yards to go. Coolio, Left Lane, Mel "Mellow Yellow" Young and Chuck "e N Love" Norton gave chase. With 250 yards left the Big Dog wanted to run...
I tried to hold her back, knowing that she's been in the stable for so long watching with longing as each day I rode off on the Lynskey. I was a bit concerned that she might hurt herself. She would have none of it...the Big Dog wanted to eat and she wasn't going to take no for an answer. (Maybe she just wanted me to know she still has what it takes or wanted to show off for the Lynskey who had been getting all of the attention lately.) But before I knew it she was around the chasers and headed straight for Big Motor's wheel. She caught his draft and waited for just a second or so as if to catch her breath, then she was off, snorting and grunting her way to the finish line just barely ahead of Big Motor...amazing.
Makes me want to take her out more often.
Great ride! And speaking of great rides, we have one tonight at the beach! The Full Moon Ride is back for the last time this season. Come on out at 6pm at the Casino Beach Parking Lot for an easy to moderate paced 20 miles. Enjoy the beautiful sunset as we ride down to Fort Pickens and the moonlit Gulf as we head back under the Full Moon! Left Lane is even bringing some refreshments to celebrate after the last Full Moon Ride this year.
Please bring an extra $3 to get into the park. See you tonight and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
I was riding Big Dog, (that's my nickname for the last of my Cannondales in the stable. I think I have sold 3 or 4 and this last one is a bit heavy but I want to keep her), as we made the sweeping left hander on Maygarden itself. I decided to test out the Big Dog as she hasn't been ridden in awhile. "Oh baby, let the Big Dog eat!" She cranked it right up and we were rolling. I finished my pull and Keith "Big Motor" Irwin pulled through with none other than the man himself Bobby "Coolio" Cooley taking a turn at the front. As Coolio slid over, "Katie bar the door!", Tim "Crusher" Fox took over with about 1.5k to go and had the bit between the teeth!
Crusher had it pegged on 26/27mph as we topped out on the final hill. The big Clydesdale boy was pulling at 27 uphill into a headwind! Absolute Sultan of Speed status. (SOS) As we pass through the S curve Big Motor launches a vicious attack with 350 yards to go. Coolio, Left Lane, Mel "Mellow Yellow" Young and Chuck "e N Love" Norton gave chase. With 250 yards left the Big Dog wanted to run...
I tried to hold her back, knowing that she's been in the stable for so long watching with longing as each day I rode off on the Lynskey. I was a bit concerned that she might hurt herself. She would have none of it...the Big Dog wanted to eat and she wasn't going to take no for an answer. (Maybe she just wanted me to know she still has what it takes or wanted to show off for the Lynskey who had been getting all of the attention lately.) But before I knew it she was around the chasers and headed straight for Big Motor's wheel. She caught his draft and waited for just a second or so as if to catch her breath, then she was off, snorting and grunting her way to the finish line just barely ahead of Big Motor...amazing.
Makes me want to take her out more often.
Great ride! And speaking of great rides, we have one tonight at the beach! The Full Moon Ride is back for the last time this season. Come on out at 6pm at the Casino Beach Parking Lot for an easy to moderate paced 20 miles. Enjoy the beautiful sunset as we ride down to Fort Pickens and the moonlit Gulf as we head back under the Full Moon! Left Lane is even bringing some refreshments to celebrate after the last Full Moon Ride this year.
Please bring an extra $3 to get into the park. See you tonight and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Monday, October 18, 2010
Weekend Recap and Other Observations
This morning, while out on my sunrise constitutional with the meathead, (meaning; I was walking the dog), I got to thinking about the rides this past weekend. Many emotions flooded my thoughts as I think about those I rode with as well as those we rode in memory of. I cannot imagine all the difficulties the family and friends of Fenner, Matt and Roger have gone through as they lost their loved one. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.
I think these rides are very important. It let's others know that we care. We care for their lost and for the concerns of other cyclists. These concerns are very real to each of us. In fact, on both Saturday and Sunday we had altercations with motorists. Nothing serious, just the same old yelling out the window as they pass by and the ever present sitting on the horn just as they reach your rear wheel. Annoying yes, but scary as well when you think of what has happened in recent weeks. Makes you wonder if these folks read the news...
I sense some anger rising up inside me just as the meathead yanks on my arm and yanks my thoughts back to my morning walk. It is another beautiful day, as was the weekend.
Saturday's century was just about perfect...except maybe 23 too many hills! And 23 was not all of them, just the ones I counted as too many. Man, 102 miles, (including warmup miles), with I think as many hills. Don't get me wrong, I don't really mind hills in general, it's just the going up part that causes this old Clydesdale body to suffer like a dog. And I'm not referring to the meathead here either! The meathead seems to love going uphill as she pulls my shoulder almost out of it's socket. "Why can't you just walk?"
Huge group of cyclists out on the roads of Blackwater. I rode with the main group until the first, uh...hill. Then rode many miles with nothing but my Lynskey to talk to. He wasn't hearing alot of positive monologue. Rather, the typical thoughts of a big boy among the hills. I just kept thinking out loud. "Not another stinking hill." And, "Ah, come on, we just climbed that one, didn't we?" And, of course, " Unbestinkinglievable, couldn't we have just 100 yards of flat?!" Other than that, it was a fantastic ride. I hadn't ridden a full century in at least a decade. Anybody get the elevation gain on that bad boy?
Sunday's Ride of Silence was very touching. I'm sure Vicki and the family must have been moved as well. It was a variable who's who of area cycling. I'm sure there was at least 200 to 300 cyclists as we rode down to Portofino and back at parade pace. For the most part it was just quiet and reflective. I rode alongside of David and Angela Murphy on their tandem with Don Davis just behind us. It was heartening to see so many riders I haven't seen in awhile. Good friends.
We made it back to Quietwater Parking Lot and enjoyed the company of many others. Then we rode back over the bridge and into Gulf Breeze where I had parked. On the way back, a pick up truck full of obnoxious junior highers, (men) came by close sitting on the horn and yelling profanities that will not be repeated here. Besides, I'm sure you have heard it many times before. I don't understand the motive. Is it a thrill to yell at some guy on a bike? Maybe they think it's funny to scare someone that otherwise is having a peaceful ride down the road. I'm a motorist. When I see a cyclist I slow down and move over. Sometimes I may have to wait a few seconds before I can pass safely, so I wait. No big deal, right? Apparently not.
The meathead has stopped to do her business. No, I don't pick it up. I walk her in the woods across the street. I am not going to pick up the meathead's...well, you get the idea. If somebody from another planet looked down wanting to talk to the leader of this civilization and saw humans following animals around picking up their...uh, business, who do you think they would want to talk to?
Enough of canine philosophy. It was in fact a great weekend of riding. The weather this week looks absolutely perfect for riding as well. Please check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details. Don't forget Thursday's Full Moon Ride! This will most likely be the last time this season so come on out and enjoy a beautiful sunset ride to Fort Pickens and a moonlit ride back.
Less than 3 weeks of Daylight Savings Time rides. Yes, it's that time of year again. However, we are going to continue riding one evening per week with lights. Stay tuned for more details.
Other observations:
Randy "No Bull" Bullock pulled off another great century!!! Great job Randy...you are the man!!! An enormous thanks to you and all the volunteers and sponsors!
A huge thanks to Tim "Crusher" Fox and Mark "In the Zone" Calvert for pulling my carcass the last 20 miles! Great ride guys.
By the way, I was at Count Fishbone's house the other day. He was reading a book. I asked him what it was about. Vampires. The Count was reading a Vampire book! Hmmm...I didn't see the Count at the century, must have been up late the night before?!
I heard Keith "Big Motor" Irwin using the word "puncture" instead of "flat" the other day. I realized later that he doesn't say "flat" because that means "apartment" in the King's English. So, when I heard him use the word "quibble" I was curious as to the meaning. He asked me if I have read Harry Potter and I replied that I don't read that dribble. We began to argue as to the literary value of the Harry Potter books. I figured out what "quibble" means as we quibbled over dribble...and that's no fib(ble).
I was watching college football the other day and noticed that our own Dana "The Animal" Foster looks exactly like the head football coach at Iowa. I think I figured out why Dana hasn't been on our Saturday rides lately.
Our own Coolio has denied allegations of Krispy Kreme comsumption for years. However, over the weekend he was caught red-handed with a dozen of the delights in his vehicle. They were the infamous Pumpkin Spice variety. He claims that he brought them to share with others. Upon further investigation I have not found anybody who says Coolio shared a donut with them. Instead, Coolio was found in his vehicle in a park slumped over an empty box of Krispy Kremes. An apparent overdose of Pumpkin Spice.
It has been discovered that Left Lane has a school for civil disobedience. I saw many of his students on Saturday's century ride. I would love to see that curriculum. I wonder how much he charges them?
See you out on the road,
Bob
Rats...the meathead needs to go out again! Alright, alright...she's not a meathead, but I have met a few out on the road who just love to chase cyclists. The uh, lovely Mrs Graves wanted you to know that I actually like our dog. It's true, I do, except for her name. She named her Pumpkin Spice! No, I'm not kidding, that's our dog's name; Pumpkin Spice...go figure.
I think these rides are very important. It let's others know that we care. We care for their lost and for the concerns of other cyclists. These concerns are very real to each of us. In fact, on both Saturday and Sunday we had altercations with motorists. Nothing serious, just the same old yelling out the window as they pass by and the ever present sitting on the horn just as they reach your rear wheel. Annoying yes, but scary as well when you think of what has happened in recent weeks. Makes you wonder if these folks read the news...
I sense some anger rising up inside me just as the meathead yanks on my arm and yanks my thoughts back to my morning walk. It is another beautiful day, as was the weekend.
Saturday's century was just about perfect...except maybe 23 too many hills! And 23 was not all of them, just the ones I counted as too many. Man, 102 miles, (including warmup miles), with I think as many hills. Don't get me wrong, I don't really mind hills in general, it's just the going up part that causes this old Clydesdale body to suffer like a dog. And I'm not referring to the meathead here either! The meathead seems to love going uphill as she pulls my shoulder almost out of it's socket. "Why can't you just walk?"
Huge group of cyclists out on the roads of Blackwater. I rode with the main group until the first, uh...hill. Then rode many miles with nothing but my Lynskey to talk to. He wasn't hearing alot of positive monologue. Rather, the typical thoughts of a big boy among the hills. I just kept thinking out loud. "Not another stinking hill." And, "Ah, come on, we just climbed that one, didn't we?" And, of course, " Unbestinkinglievable, couldn't we have just 100 yards of flat?!" Other than that, it was a fantastic ride. I hadn't ridden a full century in at least a decade. Anybody get the elevation gain on that bad boy?
Sunday's Ride of Silence was very touching. I'm sure Vicki and the family must have been moved as well. It was a variable who's who of area cycling. I'm sure there was at least 200 to 300 cyclists as we rode down to Portofino and back at parade pace. For the most part it was just quiet and reflective. I rode alongside of David and Angela Murphy on their tandem with Don Davis just behind us. It was heartening to see so many riders I haven't seen in awhile. Good friends.
We made it back to Quietwater Parking Lot and enjoyed the company of many others. Then we rode back over the bridge and into Gulf Breeze where I had parked. On the way back, a pick up truck full of obnoxious junior highers, (men) came by close sitting on the horn and yelling profanities that will not be repeated here. Besides, I'm sure you have heard it many times before. I don't understand the motive. Is it a thrill to yell at some guy on a bike? Maybe they think it's funny to scare someone that otherwise is having a peaceful ride down the road. I'm a motorist. When I see a cyclist I slow down and move over. Sometimes I may have to wait a few seconds before I can pass safely, so I wait. No big deal, right? Apparently not.
The meathead has stopped to do her business. No, I don't pick it up. I walk her in the woods across the street. I am not going to pick up the meathead's...well, you get the idea. If somebody from another planet looked down wanting to talk to the leader of this civilization and saw humans following animals around picking up their...uh, business, who do you think they would want to talk to?
Enough of canine philosophy. It was in fact a great weekend of riding. The weather this week looks absolutely perfect for riding as well. Please check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details. Don't forget Thursday's Full Moon Ride! This will most likely be the last time this season so come on out and enjoy a beautiful sunset ride to Fort Pickens and a moonlit ride back.
Less than 3 weeks of Daylight Savings Time rides. Yes, it's that time of year again. However, we are going to continue riding one evening per week with lights. Stay tuned for more details.
Other observations:
Randy "No Bull" Bullock pulled off another great century!!! Great job Randy...you are the man!!! An enormous thanks to you and all the volunteers and sponsors!
A huge thanks to Tim "Crusher" Fox and Mark "In the Zone" Calvert for pulling my carcass the last 20 miles! Great ride guys.
By the way, I was at Count Fishbone's house the other day. He was reading a book. I asked him what it was about. Vampires. The Count was reading a Vampire book! Hmmm...I didn't see the Count at the century, must have been up late the night before?!
I heard Keith "Big Motor" Irwin using the word "puncture" instead of "flat" the other day. I realized later that he doesn't say "flat" because that means "apartment" in the King's English. So, when I heard him use the word "quibble" I was curious as to the meaning. He asked me if I have read Harry Potter and I replied that I don't read that dribble. We began to argue as to the literary value of the Harry Potter books. I figured out what "quibble" means as we quibbled over dribble...and that's no fib(ble).
I was watching college football the other day and noticed that our own Dana "The Animal" Foster looks exactly like the head football coach at Iowa. I think I figured out why Dana hasn't been on our Saturday rides lately.
Our own Coolio has denied allegations of Krispy Kreme comsumption for years. However, over the weekend he was caught red-handed with a dozen of the delights in his vehicle. They were the infamous Pumpkin Spice variety. He claims that he brought them to share with others. Upon further investigation I have not found anybody who says Coolio shared a donut with them. Instead, Coolio was found in his vehicle in a park slumped over an empty box of Krispy Kremes. An apparent overdose of Pumpkin Spice.
It has been discovered that Left Lane has a school for civil disobedience. I saw many of his students on Saturday's century ride. I would love to see that curriculum. I wonder how much he charges them?
See you out on the road,
Bob
Rats...the meathead needs to go out again! Alright, alright...she's not a meathead, but I have met a few out on the road who just love to chase cyclists. The uh, lovely Mrs Graves wanted you to know that I actually like our dog. It's true, I do, except for her name. She named her Pumpkin Spice! No, I'm not kidding, that's our dog's name; Pumpkin Spice...go figure.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Very Sobering Couple of Weeks
The last couple of weeks has seen two of our own seriously injured in crashes and Roger Grooter killed in an accident. A very sobering couple of weeks. Today, Tim "Grocery" Fox and myself went out for an easy spin and the topics ranged from Wednesday night's hammerfest to Codie Brook's flat to tomorrow's ride to the lovely Mrs Graves to Tim's work...but it always somehow came back to the awful accidents of the last two weeks. I'm sure many of you have been thinking about them as well.
I will be at the Ride of Silence for Roger Grooter on Sunday, October, 17th. I think this is a very important event for all area cyclists to attend. Plus, there appears to be a groundswell among cyclists wanting to complete Roger's ride in his place since he was not allowed to finish it.
I think these are very positive actions for all of us. Perhaps it's time to do more?!
There are plans in the works to create a "Cycling Alliance" where all cyclists would have a voice before local governments to lobby our unique concerns. You will be hearing more details in the coming months. If you have an interest in participating in the formation of this new approach, please contact Randy Bullock or myself.
Now for this weekend's Ride Schedule:
Tomorrow morning is the Around the Sound Ride. This 60 to 65 mile loop starts at the Fish and Wildlife center at 7am. The pace will be moderate. There will be a group waiting on the south side of the 3 Mile Bridge for those who aren't very excited about riding on the bridge. If you plan to meet us on the Gulf Breeze side, please be there by no later than 7:15am as the group will not be stopping as we pass by.
Sunday afternoon at 3pm meet at Firestone and Summit for the UWF/Scenic Hills loop. This 35 miler will be the last chance to ride the hills before the Fenner Century next week.
Weather this weekend looks to be absolutely perfect for cycling, so come on out and get in those miles before the 100 miler next Saturday. Looking forward to...
Seeing you out on the road,
Bob
I will be at the Ride of Silence for Roger Grooter on Sunday, October, 17th. I think this is a very important event for all area cyclists to attend. Plus, there appears to be a groundswell among cyclists wanting to complete Roger's ride in his place since he was not allowed to finish it.
I think these are very positive actions for all of us. Perhaps it's time to do more?!
There are plans in the works to create a "Cycling Alliance" where all cyclists would have a voice before local governments to lobby our unique concerns. You will be hearing more details in the coming months. If you have an interest in participating in the formation of this new approach, please contact Randy Bullock or myself.
Now for this weekend's Ride Schedule:
Tomorrow morning is the Around the Sound Ride. This 60 to 65 mile loop starts at the Fish and Wildlife center at 7am. The pace will be moderate. There will be a group waiting on the south side of the 3 Mile Bridge for those who aren't very excited about riding on the bridge. If you plan to meet us on the Gulf Breeze side, please be there by no later than 7:15am as the group will not be stopping as we pass by.
Sunday afternoon at 3pm meet at Firestone and Summit for the UWF/Scenic Hills loop. This 35 miler will be the last chance to ride the hills before the Fenner Century next week.
Weather this weekend looks to be absolutely perfect for cycling, so come on out and get in those miles before the 100 miler next Saturday. Looking forward to...
Seeing you out on the road,
Bob
Monday, October 4, 2010
Two Not So Subtle Reminders
Usually, the Monday or Tuesday blogulation would be full of news of how great the weekend rides were and how the peloton antics came from the usual cast of characters and of course, usually we would mention how wonderful the weather was for riding...usually. However, this past weekend was anything but, usual!
As most of you already know, we had a crash on Saturday's Twisted Hammock Ride. Our good friend and fellow cyclist, Harland "Happy" Williams was seriously injured. He sustained a broken clavicle and a collapsed lung and was hospitalized for two days. This very unfortunate accident comes one week to the day on the heels of our very own David "Lawman" Carroll's crash in which he broke his arm. David's serious injury requires surgery to repair his arm. He goes in to Andrew's Institute tomorrow.
I consider both Harland and David good friends and excellent cyclists. One accident would be sad enough, both two just one week apart requires a bit more action than just being sad!
Several of you have emailed and telephoned me with your thoughts and feelings regarding our recent events. Therefore, I think it very important that something be communicated to the group as a whole expressing those concerns as well as some constructive admonitions for all. What I believe is important to avoid is any kind of finger pointing or witch hunt. Look, let's be honest, we all have been a bit to casual in regards to safety lately. It's bound to happen to any group that hasn't had a major crash in several months...it's just human nature to think that it won't happen to me. It will, it has...
Cycling is a dangerous sport. Everyone of us has gone down. It happens and it happens too frequently. However, group riding, although safer than riding alone in some respects, has a unique set of dynamics that can make it far more dangerous than riding alone. If we all recognize the hazards and are proactive in avoiding and pointing them out for others, then the benefits of group riding far outweigh the dangers. However, if we ignore or push beyond the cautions, it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
Don't get me wrong, I don't believe all accidents can be avoided, but I sure want to avoid as many as possible. Therefore, when we have two serious accidents so close together, it's prudent to review a few basics of group riding:
1. BE PREDICTABLE! Every cyclist around you is depending on YOU! Make no sudden movements of any kind. Let others know if you drift up on their right or left by simply calling out that you are, "On your right" or "On your left". If you see debris in the way, make gentle, slow movements to avoid it while pointing it out for others behind you. Do not make sharp sudden moves!
2. Hold a nice straight line and a steady speed. Swerving back and forth and/or speeding up and slowing down will cause trouble for those behind you. Remember: the small action you take is exaggerated in the movements of those behind you. You swerve one foot to the right, by the time your swerve gets 4 to 5 riders back it may be 3 to 4 feet! Same with speed; don't yoyo back and forth, stay steady. If a gap opens in front of you, close it gradually.
3. Never overlap wheels. This is a certain recipe for a crash. If you lap your front wheel one inch past the rear wheel of the rider ahead of you and he swerves, you are going down, not him, and you'll probably take a few others with you. Generally, leave yourself a foot or two of space between your front wheel and his rear wheel. Nobody will bark at you for the couple of feet gap...however, they may bark if they go down with you!
4. Always leave a bit more room in corners, construction zones, railroad crossings, etc. Slow down! You're not going to get dropped. This is a group ride, not a race.
5. Please keep your equipment in good repair and well adjusted. Everyone around you is depending on you to take care of your machine. Flats happen...and an occasional dropped chain, missed shift or broken spoke. However, parts should not be falling from your bike when you hit a bump, causing others to swerve around them. I've seen many accidents caused by someone's waterbottle flailing across the road. Inspect your ride before every ride. Take the time to assure it is safe to ride. We are all depending on you!
6. Use the good sense the Lord gave you when approaching stop signs, traffic lights, etc. We all have coasted through a red light...this needs to stop before one or several of us gets hurt. I'm not talking about right turns on red here, rather the blatant running of a red light, sometimes with traffic coming! If you are the first one to come upon the traffic light and it is red, STOP. Most everyone behind you will stop as well.
7. Generally speaking, always pass another rider on the left. If you are excelerating past him, do so on the left. If you are just finishing a pull, drop to the back on the left. Of course, there are those unusual situations where we will pass on the right, such as a stiff headwind off our right shoulder. However, this will be called out ahead of time for all to note. Please don't pass on the right.
I'm absolutely sure I have missed something that is very important to you. I am really hoping that you will post a comment and express your concerns. All I am trying to do here is get us thinking on being a safer group as we ride down the road together. Let's hear from you...especially you more experienced, savvy riders with decades of miles on your derriere.
Being safe together is the chief concern of all of us. We won't avoid all the accidents, but hopefully we can avoid most of them. I would rather just...
See you out on the road,
Bob
As most of you already know, we had a crash on Saturday's Twisted Hammock Ride. Our good friend and fellow cyclist, Harland "Happy" Williams was seriously injured. He sustained a broken clavicle and a collapsed lung and was hospitalized for two days. This very unfortunate accident comes one week to the day on the heels of our very own David "Lawman" Carroll's crash in which he broke his arm. David's serious injury requires surgery to repair his arm. He goes in to Andrew's Institute tomorrow.
I consider both Harland and David good friends and excellent cyclists. One accident would be sad enough, both two just one week apart requires a bit more action than just being sad!
Several of you have emailed and telephoned me with your thoughts and feelings regarding our recent events. Therefore, I think it very important that something be communicated to the group as a whole expressing those concerns as well as some constructive admonitions for all. What I believe is important to avoid is any kind of finger pointing or witch hunt. Look, let's be honest, we all have been a bit to casual in regards to safety lately. It's bound to happen to any group that hasn't had a major crash in several months...it's just human nature to think that it won't happen to me. It will, it has...
Cycling is a dangerous sport. Everyone of us has gone down. It happens and it happens too frequently. However, group riding, although safer than riding alone in some respects, has a unique set of dynamics that can make it far more dangerous than riding alone. If we all recognize the hazards and are proactive in avoiding and pointing them out for others, then the benefits of group riding far outweigh the dangers. However, if we ignore or push beyond the cautions, it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
Don't get me wrong, I don't believe all accidents can be avoided, but I sure want to avoid as many as possible. Therefore, when we have two serious accidents so close together, it's prudent to review a few basics of group riding:
1. BE PREDICTABLE! Every cyclist around you is depending on YOU! Make no sudden movements of any kind. Let others know if you drift up on their right or left by simply calling out that you are, "On your right" or "On your left". If you see debris in the way, make gentle, slow movements to avoid it while pointing it out for others behind you. Do not make sharp sudden moves!
2. Hold a nice straight line and a steady speed. Swerving back and forth and/or speeding up and slowing down will cause trouble for those behind you. Remember: the small action you take is exaggerated in the movements of those behind you. You swerve one foot to the right, by the time your swerve gets 4 to 5 riders back it may be 3 to 4 feet! Same with speed; don't yoyo back and forth, stay steady. If a gap opens in front of you, close it gradually.
3. Never overlap wheels. This is a certain recipe for a crash. If you lap your front wheel one inch past the rear wheel of the rider ahead of you and he swerves, you are going down, not him, and you'll probably take a few others with you. Generally, leave yourself a foot or two of space between your front wheel and his rear wheel. Nobody will bark at you for the couple of feet gap...however, they may bark if they go down with you!
4. Always leave a bit more room in corners, construction zones, railroad crossings, etc. Slow down! You're not going to get dropped. This is a group ride, not a race.
5. Please keep your equipment in good repair and well adjusted. Everyone around you is depending on you to take care of your machine. Flats happen...and an occasional dropped chain, missed shift or broken spoke. However, parts should not be falling from your bike when you hit a bump, causing others to swerve around them. I've seen many accidents caused by someone's waterbottle flailing across the road. Inspect your ride before every ride. Take the time to assure it is safe to ride. We are all depending on you!
6. Use the good sense the Lord gave you when approaching stop signs, traffic lights, etc. We all have coasted through a red light...this needs to stop before one or several of us gets hurt. I'm not talking about right turns on red here, rather the blatant running of a red light, sometimes with traffic coming! If you are the first one to come upon the traffic light and it is red, STOP. Most everyone behind you will stop as well.
7. Generally speaking, always pass another rider on the left. If you are excelerating past him, do so on the left. If you are just finishing a pull, drop to the back on the left. Of course, there are those unusual situations where we will pass on the right, such as a stiff headwind off our right shoulder. However, this will be called out ahead of time for all to note. Please don't pass on the right.
I'm absolutely sure I have missed something that is very important to you. I am really hoping that you will post a comment and express your concerns. All I am trying to do here is get us thinking on being a safer group as we ride down the road together. Let's hear from you...especially you more experienced, savvy riders with decades of miles on your derriere.
Being safe together is the chief concern of all of us. We won't avoid all the accidents, but hopefully we can avoid most of them. I would rather just...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Impromptu Ride Friday Morning
Tim "Crusher" Fox has a ride planned for tomorrow morning at 8:30am at Firestone and Summit. "Winn Dixie" tells me it will be about 40 miles or so at a moderate pace. There are already several riders interested. So, if you have a couple hours to spare in the morning, come on out for the Tim "Grocery" Fox, (that dude has more nicknames than Left Lane has run red lights), Friday Morning Ride!
PS The "New" Coolio will be there...if that makes a difference to you?! He is the designated Ride Scapegoat.
PSS Hey, if you ride Friday, Saturday and Sunday rides you will have about 150 total miles for the weekend. Great training for the Fenner Century in a couple of weeks!
PSSS Don't forget Saturday morning's ride change...we're heading to the Hammock, with a twist! (Twisted Hammock Ride) Actually, the "twist" is part of the Duker Puker Loop. ( Make up your own name) And remember, it's always harder to get out of the Hammock than it is to get in!
See you out on the road,
Bob
PS The "New" Coolio will be there...if that makes a difference to you?! He is the designated Ride Scapegoat.
PSS Hey, if you ride Friday, Saturday and Sunday rides you will have about 150 total miles for the weekend. Great training for the Fenner Century in a couple of weeks!
PSSS Don't forget Saturday morning's ride change...we're heading to the Hammock, with a twist! (Twisted Hammock Ride) Actually, the "twist" is part of the Duker Puker Loop. ( Make up your own name) And remember, it's always harder to get out of the Hammock than it is to get in!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Ride Schedule CHANGE
This week's rides will be as scheduled with one exception; the Saturday Around the Sound Ride will be postponed because of the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon. We would be hammering down the beach road from Navarre just about the same time as 1,000 or so of our triathlete brethren are doing the same thing in their race. Could be an issue...especially if Left Lane or any of his apprentices happen to be on the nose of the peloton as we encounter several of the triathageeks with the same attitude...a recipe for a strange and wonderful relationship!
Therefore, after asking a few of our own what would be a good alternative that would help those who are training for the Fenner Century, we have decided to do the infamous Hurst Hammock...with a twist! The "twist" is a partial riding of the ever popular Duker Puker! Yes, everybody loves the Hammock, but combine the Hammock with a little Puker and you have what is sure to be a peloton favorite; The Hammock Puke Loop! Beautiful scenery, hills, the Hammock itself and the wonderful potential of the Puker, all while riding 65 miles at a moderate pace.
Please see the Rides Calendar at the bottom of the pukulation, uh, rather blogulation for all the details. See you then, and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Therefore, after asking a few of our own what would be a good alternative that would help those who are training for the Fenner Century, we have decided to do the infamous Hurst Hammock...with a twist! The "twist" is a partial riding of the ever popular Duker Puker! Yes, everybody loves the Hammock, but combine the Hammock with a little Puker and you have what is sure to be a peloton favorite; The Hammock Puke Loop! Beautiful scenery, hills, the Hammock itself and the wonderful potential of the Puker, all while riding 65 miles at a moderate pace.
Please see the Rides Calendar at the bottom of the pukulation, uh, rather blogulation for all the details. See you then, and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Two Great Rides for One Low Price!
Yes, cycling fans, you too can get this great offer for just one low price! Tonight, yes tonight...for one night only, at a price you cannot afford to ignore, we will be riding the group favorite Full Moon Ride! This may be the last time this season. This has quickly become a classic and a real crowd pleaser.
Yes, you too can say, "I've ridden the Full Moon Ride and it was an experience I will remember the rest of my life!" (Unsolicited testimonial from an actual rider, not an actor.)
But wait, there's more!
This Saturday morning is another group fave...maybe the all time most popular route among consenting Firestone and Summit adults. Yes, I know it's hard to believe, but it's true; the Around the Bay Ride is back! It's 65 miles of rompin' stompin cycling fun. This ride has it all...flats, (meaning level terrain not punctures), hills, beautiful scenery and even 8 bridges!
Come on out this evening and Saturday morning for two of the best rides in the Panhandle!
What's the cost? $3 to get into Fort Pickens for tonight and believe it or not, Saturday's ride is absolutely free! Yes, it's true...you pay $3 tonight and Saturday's ride is absolutely free!!! I know, what a deal right?! But, you must take advantage of this special offer tonight! Hurry, operators are standing by...
Here's the particulars:
Full Moon Ride: Tonight at 6:30pm at Casino Beach Parking Lot. 20 miles at an easy pace. Some folks will meet us along the way at Chicken Bone Beach Parking Lot. We should arrive there about 6:45pm or so...please be ready to roll. Looks as though the weather will be great for a beautiful sunset on the way out to Fort Pickens and a gorgeous moonlit ride on the way back!
Around the Bay: Saturday at 7am at Firestone and Summit. 65 miles at a moderate pace. Two planned rest stops to fill the bottles and tell stories. (Don't forget the sure to be peloton antics...as well as an unannounced sprint or two.)
You can also check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details.
There you have it; 2 great rides for 1 low price...can't beat that with a stick, so come on out!!!
But wait, there's even more!!! If you show up tonight, we'll throw in Sunday's ride at absolutely no cost to you! That's three great rides for the price of one! Don't miss out on this fantastic offer!!!
Sunday's ride will be the Navy Point Loop. The ride features the ever popular Fried Twinkie Sprint!!! This 35 miler is so much fun that we've had to limit the size of the peloton. Make sure you don't miss out by showing up early at Firestone and Summit at 3pm this Sunday!
What a great weekend of riding starting tonight! See you then, and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Yes, you too can say, "I've ridden the Full Moon Ride and it was an experience I will remember the rest of my life!" (Unsolicited testimonial from an actual rider, not an actor.)
But wait, there's more!
This Saturday morning is another group fave...maybe the all time most popular route among consenting Firestone and Summit adults. Yes, I know it's hard to believe, but it's true; the Around the Bay Ride is back! It's 65 miles of rompin' stompin cycling fun. This ride has it all...flats, (meaning level terrain not punctures), hills, beautiful scenery and even 8 bridges!
Come on out this evening and Saturday morning for two of the best rides in the Panhandle!
What's the cost? $3 to get into Fort Pickens for tonight and believe it or not, Saturday's ride is absolutely free! Yes, it's true...you pay $3 tonight and Saturday's ride is absolutely free!!! I know, what a deal right?! But, you must take advantage of this special offer tonight! Hurry, operators are standing by...
Here's the particulars:
Full Moon Ride: Tonight at 6:30pm at Casino Beach Parking Lot. 20 miles at an easy pace. Some folks will meet us along the way at Chicken Bone Beach Parking Lot. We should arrive there about 6:45pm or so...please be ready to roll. Looks as though the weather will be great for a beautiful sunset on the way out to Fort Pickens and a gorgeous moonlit ride on the way back!
Around the Bay: Saturday at 7am at Firestone and Summit. 65 miles at a moderate pace. Two planned rest stops to fill the bottles and tell stories. (Don't forget the sure to be peloton antics...as well as an unannounced sprint or two.)
You can also check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details.
There you have it; 2 great rides for 1 low price...can't beat that with a stick, so come on out!!!
But wait, there's even more!!! If you show up tonight, we'll throw in Sunday's ride at absolutely no cost to you! That's three great rides for the price of one! Don't miss out on this fantastic offer!!!
Sunday's ride will be the Navy Point Loop. The ride features the ever popular Fried Twinkie Sprint!!! This 35 miler is so much fun that we've had to limit the size of the peloton. Make sure you don't miss out by showing up early at Firestone and Summit at 3pm this Sunday!
What a great weekend of riding starting tonight! See you then, and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
"May I Have the Envelope Please..."
And the winners for the 2010 Senior Games who are Firestone and Summit riders are as follows:
Drum roll please...
Did I mention that our group DOMINATED almost every Senior Games race! Unbestinkinglievable for a bunch of casual weekend riders...ha! I love you guys!!!
What? Oh, you want to see the winners list...okay, uh, where did I put that list anyway?!
Ah...here we go...and the winners are:
Road Race: Men
Age 55-59 A FIRESTONE and SUMMIT SWEEP!!!
Gold: Keith "Big Motor" Irwin
Silver: Chuck "eN Love" Norton
Bronze: Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo
Age 60 to 64
Gold: Harland "Happy" Williams
Bronze: Bobby "Coolio" Cooley
Road Race: Women
Age 50-54
Gold: Sandy Norton
Age 55-59
Gold: Sheila Kircharr
Time Trial: Men
Age 55-59
Gold: Keith "Big Motor" Irwin
Silver: Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo
Age 60-64
Gold: Harland "Happy" Williams
Criterium: Men
Age 55-59
Silver: Keith "Big Motor" Irwin
And don't forget that our own David "Two Wheels" Mayo and Josh "Big Guns" Sharpe won all the Gold and Silver Medals in every handcycle race in the entire event!!! Congratulations to them and all of our champions and participants!!!
The Firestone and Summit Group has a huge reason for celebration! Let's do some tonight, Wednesday and of course on Thursday's Full Moon Ride out at the beach! Come on out you champions and let us throw roses at you!!!
Can't wait to see you all tonight, and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Drum roll please...
Did I mention that our group DOMINATED almost every Senior Games race! Unbestinkinglievable for a bunch of casual weekend riders...ha! I love you guys!!!
What? Oh, you want to see the winners list...okay, uh, where did I put that list anyway?!
Ah...here we go...and the winners are:
Road Race: Men
Age 55-59 A FIRESTONE and SUMMIT SWEEP!!!
Gold: Keith "Big Motor" Irwin
Silver: Chuck "eN Love" Norton
Bronze: Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo
Age 60 to 64
Gold: Harland "Happy" Williams
Bronze: Bobby "Coolio" Cooley
Road Race: Women
Age 50-54
Gold: Sandy Norton
Age 55-59
Gold: Sheila Kircharr
Time Trial: Men
Age 55-59
Gold: Keith "Big Motor" Irwin
Silver: Richard "Left Lane" Lopiccolo
Age 60-64
Gold: Harland "Happy" Williams
Criterium: Men
Age 55-59
Silver: Keith "Big Motor" Irwin
And don't forget that our own David "Two Wheels" Mayo and Josh "Big Guns" Sharpe won all the Gold and Silver Medals in every handcycle race in the entire event!!! Congratulations to them and all of our champions and participants!!!
The Firestone and Summit Group has a huge reason for celebration! Let's do some tonight, Wednesday and of course on Thursday's Full Moon Ride out at the beach! Come on out you champions and let us throw roses at you!!!
Can't wait to see you all tonight, and...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Monday, September 20, 2010
"Bridge to Engine Room: More Power!"...and other ramblings.
I don't know about you, but "More Power" was my personal theme for this past weekend's action packed racing at the first ever Pensacola Cycling Classic! What a fantastic event! I loved every minute of it...some minutes more than others. Like the 30 minute crit that seemed to me to be about 10 minutes too long! Even so, I loved being on a crit course again...it's been over 20 years since I raced my last crit! Great fun!
Do you believe the size of the fields? Huge event...and for our first year! This just isn't the usual response to a first year event. It just doesn't happen. And speaking of happen...thanks to all of you that made this amazing event happen!!! Especially, Randy "No Bull" Bullock; David "Two Wheels" Mayo; Tim "Crusher" Fox; John "El Presidante" Brizzard; Dana "The Animal" Foster; and many from our own racing community including Ty, Destry, Codie, Darrell, Don all offering their invaluable experience with the details of putting on an event that brings racers back next year.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Ray Palmer and Sally with Pensacola Sports Association for their endless hours of behind the scenes work and from the City of Pensacola, Cheryl Fox and a huge thank you to the man himself, Sgt Chris "Big Gun" Huffman! (I'm giving you a standing ovation!)
A tremendous thank you to all the volunteers throughout the 3 fabulous stages of racing!!! Especially to Master Sgt Vicki Laue and her huge group of USAF Airmen from NAS Pensacola!!! You are amazing!!! Thank you for serving our country...and us this past Saturday!
What about all those who raced? So many from our group and our area. It was absolutely thrilling to see so many of our own Firestone and Summit Group out on the race courses giving it their all. I'm still smiling thinking about you guys out there suffering like dogs! Ah...but the thrill of finishing!!! Nothing like it! (I'm giving all you Senior Games racers a standing ovation as well!!! I feel your pain my brothers and sisters...uh, literally!)
And, finally all our sponsors, including Anderson Subaru, Bamboo Willies, Subway, Pensacola Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as well as a host of others that made it all possible! Be sure to patronize our sponsors and be sure to say a special "Thank You" to them all.
I do believe this event has put Pensacola on the cycling map...let's use this momentum to help create a wonderful cycling friendly community for generations to enjoy. Together we really can make a difference. Think about it...who would have ever thought a few years ago, that we would host an event like this past weekend's PCC?! It happened! It all started with a casual conversation between Bill Kimball, David Mayo and myself. We simply said "What if?!" Look what happened in one year!!!
What are the possibilities for the future? For our group? Our cycling community as a whole? Our city? Our region? These are very exciting times for cycling in our area! There are plans in the works even now for future events. But what about City Hall? The cyclists of our area need a unified voice before our local governments. This is really important! There are crucial issues for cyclists...especially as our area grows. We can get squeezed out of routes that we think of as common today.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a Bike Lane on Summit for example? Or, if the railroad ever vacates the rails from downtown Pensacola along Scenic Highway and across the bay, we need to be the first in line for a Rails to Trails initiative. Think about it...leave downtown Pensacola and ride a Bike trail all the way to downtown Milton...I think I'm in love!!! You know, there's a new 3 Mile Bridge in the works somewhere in the next few years...raise your hand if you would like a safe separate Bike Lane on the new bridge?! Or, how about our area as a winter training camp for clubs and teams from around the country?!
I'm only scratching the surface of the many issues that are important to all of us as cyclists. Think about the possibilities. Think about what you think a cycling friendly community would look like. Well, it will never happen unless we take the first step together.
Please, let me know if you think it is important for cyclists to have a unified voice in our area. And, if you think this is a unique time where we actually have a bit of momentum as a cycling community. Let's see if we can start a casual conversation together...
On a lighter note;
The rides this week will be, I'm sure, a bit easier than usual as most are recovering from the hard efforts of racing. Don't forget this week's Full Moon Ride on the beach. Check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogify for all the details!
Also, for those of you who participated in the Senior Games, there is a wonderful event this Friday evening at Sanders Beach Community Center at 6pm for the celebration of us older folks as well as the presentations of the medals for those who won them. Free food, free entertainment and free fun!!! Come on out for this wonderful closing celebration of this year's Senior Games! For more information contact Pensacola Parks and Recreation Dept. See you there!!! And...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Do you believe the size of the fields? Huge event...and for our first year! This just isn't the usual response to a first year event. It just doesn't happen. And speaking of happen...thanks to all of you that made this amazing event happen!!! Especially, Randy "No Bull" Bullock; David "Two Wheels" Mayo; Tim "Crusher" Fox; John "El Presidante" Brizzard; Dana "The Animal" Foster; and many from our own racing community including Ty, Destry, Codie, Darrell, Don all offering their invaluable experience with the details of putting on an event that brings racers back next year.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Ray Palmer and Sally with Pensacola Sports Association for their endless hours of behind the scenes work and from the City of Pensacola, Cheryl Fox and a huge thank you to the man himself, Sgt Chris "Big Gun" Huffman! (I'm giving you a standing ovation!)
A tremendous thank you to all the volunteers throughout the 3 fabulous stages of racing!!! Especially to Master Sgt Vicki Laue and her huge group of USAF Airmen from NAS Pensacola!!! You are amazing!!! Thank you for serving our country...and us this past Saturday!
What about all those who raced? So many from our group and our area. It was absolutely thrilling to see so many of our own Firestone and Summit Group out on the race courses giving it their all. I'm still smiling thinking about you guys out there suffering like dogs! Ah...but the thrill of finishing!!! Nothing like it! (I'm giving all you Senior Games racers a standing ovation as well!!! I feel your pain my brothers and sisters...uh, literally!)
And, finally all our sponsors, including Anderson Subaru, Bamboo Willies, Subway, Pensacola Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as well as a host of others that made it all possible! Be sure to patronize our sponsors and be sure to say a special "Thank You" to them all.
I do believe this event has put Pensacola on the cycling map...let's use this momentum to help create a wonderful cycling friendly community for generations to enjoy. Together we really can make a difference. Think about it...who would have ever thought a few years ago, that we would host an event like this past weekend's PCC?! It happened! It all started with a casual conversation between Bill Kimball, David Mayo and myself. We simply said "What if?!" Look what happened in one year!!!
What are the possibilities for the future? For our group? Our cycling community as a whole? Our city? Our region? These are very exciting times for cycling in our area! There are plans in the works even now for future events. But what about City Hall? The cyclists of our area need a unified voice before our local governments. This is really important! There are crucial issues for cyclists...especially as our area grows. We can get squeezed out of routes that we think of as common today.
Wouldn't it be nice to see a Bike Lane on Summit for example? Or, if the railroad ever vacates the rails from downtown Pensacola along Scenic Highway and across the bay, we need to be the first in line for a Rails to Trails initiative. Think about it...leave downtown Pensacola and ride a Bike trail all the way to downtown Milton...I think I'm in love!!! You know, there's a new 3 Mile Bridge in the works somewhere in the next few years...raise your hand if you would like a safe separate Bike Lane on the new bridge?! Or, how about our area as a winter training camp for clubs and teams from around the country?!
I'm only scratching the surface of the many issues that are important to all of us as cyclists. Think about the possibilities. Think about what you think a cycling friendly community would look like. Well, it will never happen unless we take the first step together.
Please, let me know if you think it is important for cyclists to have a unified voice in our area. And, if you think this is a unique time where we actually have a bit of momentum as a cycling community. Let's see if we can start a casual conversation together...
On a lighter note;
The rides this week will be, I'm sure, a bit easier than usual as most are recovering from the hard efforts of racing. Don't forget this week's Full Moon Ride on the beach. Check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this blogify for all the details!
Also, for those of you who participated in the Senior Games, there is a wonderful event this Friday evening at Sanders Beach Community Center at 6pm for the celebration of us older folks as well as the presentations of the medals for those who won them. Free food, free entertainment and free fun!!! Come on out for this wonderful closing celebration of this year's Senior Games! For more information contact Pensacola Parks and Recreation Dept. See you there!!! And...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Just a Few More Days!
Well, just a few more days until the first ever Pensacola Cycling Classic stage race! We have put a lot of effort into assuring our community has a great event...and it looks like the weather will cooperate as well. Saturday morning will find the riders in Milton at Adventures Unlimited for the Road Race. This is a brutal 40 kilometer course that will challenge even the strongest riders. Then in the afternoon, out to the beach for the 5 kilometer Time Trial at Fort Pickens. This course is flat and fast and sure to be a welcome sight after the morning's road race.
The Critirium will be in downtown Pensacola early Sunday morning. This timed mass start, multiple lap race is a real crowd pleaser. The high speed course dares the riders to take it's 6 turns at full speed! Watch out, there may to be some carnage on this loop.
Three great venues for our first ever Pensacola Cycling Classic! Come on out as a participant, fan or both!!! This is the premier cycling event this year and you won't want to miss one minute of the racing action...right here in Pensacola!
If you haven't registered yet, just go to www.pensacolacyclingclassic.com and click on the link to register. While there, browse through the many pages to discover all this race has in store for the riders. And, don't forget to download a copy of the Race Bible as well! If you are in the race, you need the Bible.
With all the buzz about the races this weekend, don't forget we have 3 great rides this week as well. Tonight, Wednesday and Thursday, all starting at 5:30pm at Firestone and Summit. This will be your last chance to hone your fitness before the races. So come on out for some peloton antics and the obligatory sprints...you too could take home the weekly bragging rights!
Don't forget next week's Full Moon Ride on the 23rd starting at Casino Beach Parking Lot. This is one of our group's favorite rides. For all the details on all our Firestone and Summit group's rides, just scroll to the bottom of the bloification and click on the Rides Calendar. And I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
The Critirium will be in downtown Pensacola early Sunday morning. This timed mass start, multiple lap race is a real crowd pleaser. The high speed course dares the riders to take it's 6 turns at full speed! Watch out, there may to be some carnage on this loop.
Three great venues for our first ever Pensacola Cycling Classic! Come on out as a participant, fan or both!!! This is the premier cycling event this year and you won't want to miss one minute of the racing action...right here in Pensacola!
If you haven't registered yet, just go to www.pensacolacyclingclassic.com and click on the link to register. While there, browse through the many pages to discover all this race has in store for the riders. And, don't forget to download a copy of the Race Bible as well! If you are in the race, you need the Bible.
With all the buzz about the races this weekend, don't forget we have 3 great rides this week as well. Tonight, Wednesday and Thursday, all starting at 5:30pm at Firestone and Summit. This will be your last chance to hone your fitness before the races. So come on out for some peloton antics and the obligatory sprints...you too could take home the weekly bragging rights!
Don't forget next week's Full Moon Ride on the 23rd starting at Casino Beach Parking Lot. This is one of our group's favorite rides. For all the details on all our Firestone and Summit group's rides, just scroll to the bottom of the bloification and click on the Rides Calendar. And I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Friday, September 10, 2010
This Weekend's Ride Schedule
The weather forecast for Saturday's Fort Pickens Ride looks almost perfect! We're talking high 70s when we start and mid 80s as we're heading back across 3 Mile Bridge. Partly cloudy skies with just a hint of a breeze (3mph), perfect! On last night's ride we were discussing the length of the Fort Pickens Ride from Fish and Wildlife. Some guessed as low as 35 miles while others thought as much as 50 miles. Well, I did some checking and the answer is, if we loop through Gulf Breeze both directions, a grand total of 42 miles...plus or minus a few tenths.
There will be a group however, that will start from the south side of 3 Mile Bridge. (So for them it will be uh, 3 miles times 2 equals 6. 6 from 42 equals...uh, 36...plus or minus a few tenths.) Please be ready to ride at 7:15am as we should be cruising through right around that time...plus or minus a few minutes.
Considering so many of our group will be racing next week in the Pensacola Cycling Classic, I think this is a real good selection for a week out from race day. It's long enough to get the blood pumping, yet not too long so as to drain the stores. I'm sure that most of us will keep the pace moderate. A nice Saturday morning spin!
Sunday afternoon's weather doesn't look quite as good with the chance of t-storms. However, a few weeks back we headed out under some of the darkest skies I've ever seen and maneuvered our way around town and never got a drop on us...so there's hope of a ride.
This past week has sure seen some hammerfests for the peloton as well as some rompin', stompin' sprints! Even Codie Brooks won one...go figure! Great cycling with plenty of attacks and lots of antics. Even the flats have been loud! (Anybody ever find the rest of Happy's tire?) I'm sure that most of you who are racing next weekend in the PCC are looking to taper down the miles and intensity. Our rides this weekend will cater perfectly to your schedule. Come on out for some fun and great group riding!
Please check the Ride Calendar at the bottom of this blogify for all the details. And I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
There will be a group however, that will start from the south side of 3 Mile Bridge. (So for them it will be uh, 3 miles times 2 equals 6. 6 from 42 equals...uh, 36...plus or minus a few tenths.) Please be ready to ride at 7:15am as we should be cruising through right around that time...plus or minus a few minutes.
Considering so many of our group will be racing next week in the Pensacola Cycling Classic, I think this is a real good selection for a week out from race day. It's long enough to get the blood pumping, yet not too long so as to drain the stores. I'm sure that most of us will keep the pace moderate. A nice Saturday morning spin!
Sunday afternoon's weather doesn't look quite as good with the chance of t-storms. However, a few weeks back we headed out under some of the darkest skies I've ever seen and maneuvered our way around town and never got a drop on us...so there's hope of a ride.
This past week has sure seen some hammerfests for the peloton as well as some rompin', stompin' sprints! Even Codie Brooks won one...go figure! Great cycling with plenty of attacks and lots of antics. Even the flats have been loud! (Anybody ever find the rest of Happy's tire?) I'm sure that most of you who are racing next weekend in the PCC are looking to taper down the miles and intensity. Our rides this weekend will cater perfectly to your schedule. Come on out for some fun and great group riding!
Please check the Ride Calendar at the bottom of this blogify for all the details. And I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Labor Day Weekend was Fantastic for Riding...with more to come!
Hey cycling fans and all around peloton enthusiasts. What a fantastic Labor Day weekend for riding. Several of us rode more than 150 miles over the three days. Saturday morning saw a good group headed out on the Pine Forest Loop under partly cloudy skies. The pace was spirited if not frisky. Randy "Ranoldo" Riche took both the half way sprint and the final sprint, showing he is in peak form and ready for the Senior Games competition on the 18th and 19th. The Senior Games are part of the inaugural Pensacola Cycling Classic organized and promoted by Randy Bullock and our own David "Two Wheels" Mayo as well as the band of renown's, (aka: Organizing Committee).
If you haven't heard about this three stage race, you may want to check your pulse. It has been the talk of the town over the last few months. A huge list of great sponsors, three challenging race courses as well as a purse to rival the Tour itself! (Okay, I exaggerated a bit on that final one). However, this will be the cycling event of the season on the Gulf Coast! If you enjoy riding, racing or just cruising the beach on your, uh...beach cruiser, you are going to get a real kick out of the Pensacola Cycling Classic as a racer, spectator or both. Several of our own Firestone and Summit cyclists have already registered as competitors for one, two or all three of the races! How about you? Come on!!! You can find all the details at: www.pensacolacyclingclassic.com Don't forget to sign up as a team member of Firestone and Summit and wear your jersey!
Back to live action.
As we made the turn onto Maygarden the pace picked up into the low 20s. Just then Sheila Sheila attacked the peloton. (Obviously going for the coveted SheBeast Award...which she received of course) The boys were chasing her down like a bunch of kids playing tag in an elementary school recess playground. We finally pulled her back into the fold just as we started into the final S curve. Just then that rascal Ranoldo jumps from the back of the pack to gap the group as we top out the final hill. Tim "The Hammer" Fox cranked it up with yours truly on his wheel. Ranoldo held off the charging Clydesdales by less than a bike length as the big boys were closing fast!
Sunday we decided to try the crit race at Ellison just for the fun of it. So we did a warm up loop of about 15 miles on the way up. We arrived at the crit course about ten minutes before the race was to begin only to find David "Twin Six" Murphy sitting in the shade waiting for whomever was to run this shindig. Nobody ever showed... Therefore, we did a quick lap through UWF hills and called it a day. Anybody other than Coolio actually like that steep climb?
Labor Day saw the peloton staring at the Innerarity Point Ride. We haven't done this route in several weeks so the group was definitely looking forward to it. We decided to take Jackson instead of the downtown routes so we could pick up Count Fishbone. The Count was absent in body although not in spirit. The pace westward was frisky as Left Lane had the hammer down keeping things around 23 to 24 mph. (Was this a suicide pull?) Others including David "Lawman" Carroll, Tim "Big Boy" Fox and John "Gianni Bugno" Duke kept the pace just outside the city limits of Anarobia. Gianni Bugno, famous for his Duker Puker Ride, did most of the pace making and taking the Point Gate Sprint.
The trip back from Innerarity took us through Navy Point with Left Lane taking the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint to the consternation of Tim "Grocery" Fox, (That dude has more nicknames than Krispy Kreme has donuts), who hasn't beat Left Lane for the FTS in the last three attempts. However, Grocery and Lawman paid Left Lane back in full over the Barrancas Bridge leaving him as roadkill and gazing into the eyes of Pukeasaurus Rex. Great ride!
It was, in fact, a great weekend full of great riding with great weather to match! If you missed it, "Don't fret yourself Mary." ( From Chariots of Fire, where Eric Liddell was telling his sister Mary he was going to run in the Olympics. Apparently she was uh, fretting herself.) There are plenty of great rides scheduled for this week and coming weekend! Rides like the Hammerfest tonight and Saturday's Fort Pickens Loop as well as the Full Moon Ride later this month. Check out the Ride Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details.
Come on out for some fun and sure to be peloton antics! Yes, you too can be a part of the characters that make up the Firestone and Summit Group.
See you out on the road,
Bob
If you haven't heard about this three stage race, you may want to check your pulse. It has been the talk of the town over the last few months. A huge list of great sponsors, three challenging race courses as well as a purse to rival the Tour itself! (Okay, I exaggerated a bit on that final one). However, this will be the cycling event of the season on the Gulf Coast! If you enjoy riding, racing or just cruising the beach on your, uh...beach cruiser, you are going to get a real kick out of the Pensacola Cycling Classic as a racer, spectator or both. Several of our own Firestone and Summit cyclists have already registered as competitors for one, two or all three of the races! How about you? Come on!!! You can find all the details at: www.pensacolacyclingclassic.com Don't forget to sign up as a team member of Firestone and Summit and wear your jersey!
Back to live action.
As we made the turn onto Maygarden the pace picked up into the low 20s. Just then Sheila Sheila attacked the peloton. (Obviously going for the coveted SheBeast Award...which she received of course) The boys were chasing her down like a bunch of kids playing tag in an elementary school recess playground. We finally pulled her back into the fold just as we started into the final S curve. Just then that rascal Ranoldo jumps from the back of the pack to gap the group as we top out the final hill. Tim "The Hammer" Fox cranked it up with yours truly on his wheel. Ranoldo held off the charging Clydesdales by less than a bike length as the big boys were closing fast!
Sunday we decided to try the crit race at Ellison just for the fun of it. So we did a warm up loop of about 15 miles on the way up. We arrived at the crit course about ten minutes before the race was to begin only to find David "Twin Six" Murphy sitting in the shade waiting for whomever was to run this shindig. Nobody ever showed... Therefore, we did a quick lap through UWF hills and called it a day. Anybody other than Coolio actually like that steep climb?
Labor Day saw the peloton staring at the Innerarity Point Ride. We haven't done this route in several weeks so the group was definitely looking forward to it. We decided to take Jackson instead of the downtown routes so we could pick up Count Fishbone. The Count was absent in body although not in spirit. The pace westward was frisky as Left Lane had the hammer down keeping things around 23 to 24 mph. (Was this a suicide pull?) Others including David "Lawman" Carroll, Tim "Big Boy" Fox and John "Gianni Bugno" Duke kept the pace just outside the city limits of Anarobia. Gianni Bugno, famous for his Duker Puker Ride, did most of the pace making and taking the Point Gate Sprint.
The trip back from Innerarity took us through Navy Point with Left Lane taking the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint to the consternation of Tim "Grocery" Fox, (That dude has more nicknames than Krispy Kreme has donuts), who hasn't beat Left Lane for the FTS in the last three attempts. However, Grocery and Lawman paid Left Lane back in full over the Barrancas Bridge leaving him as roadkill and gazing into the eyes of Pukeasaurus Rex. Great ride!
It was, in fact, a great weekend full of great riding with great weather to match! If you missed it, "Don't fret yourself Mary." ( From Chariots of Fire, where Eric Liddell was telling his sister Mary he was going to run in the Olympics. Apparently she was uh, fretting herself.) There are plenty of great rides scheduled for this week and coming weekend! Rides like the Hammerfest tonight and Saturday's Fort Pickens Loop as well as the Full Moon Ride later this month. Check out the Ride Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for more details.
Come on out for some fun and sure to be peloton antics! Yes, you too can be a part of the characters that make up the Firestone and Summit Group.
See you out on the road,
Bob
Thursday, September 2, 2010
This Weekend's Ride Schedule CHANGE!!!
This Saturday's SSORES ride will be postponed until later in the month. Our own Gianni Bugno has come up with a pretty good excuse for not leading the peloton on his new loop...and nobody else knows where it is! Therefore, we are starting Saturday morning's ride from Firestone and Summit at 7am. We'll be doing a group favorite and perfect loop for getting the holiday weekend started off right...the Pine Forest Loop!
Then, Sunday we'll do a shorter easier loop downtown or maybe out to Navy Point. Monday, (Labor Day), we head out for another group favorite and one we haven't done in weeks; The Innerarity Point Ride! What a great weekend full of great riding. And, you guessed it...great weather is forecast as well with lower temps and lots of sunshine! Come on out for one, two or all three of these rides...uh, and some sure to be peloton antics!!!
Please check the Ride Calendar for details at the bottom of this blogulation. And, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Then, Sunday we'll do a shorter easier loop downtown or maybe out to Navy Point. Monday, (Labor Day), we head out for another group favorite and one we haven't done in weeks; The Innerarity Point Ride! What a great weekend full of great riding. And, you guessed it...great weather is forecast as well with lower temps and lots of sunshine! Come on out for one, two or all three of these rides...uh, and some sure to be peloton antics!!!
Please check the Ride Calendar for details at the bottom of this blogulation. And, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Who Wants to Ride?
Saturday I had enough and started googling Do It Yourself kits for arks! Man, was it raining or what? The last time I rode was Friday morning. Was it 4 days of rain? I was getting cabin fever by Sunday afternoon so I went over to my folks house in Gulf Breeze for some meatloaf and watched Japan beat up on Hawaii in the Little League World Series. While I was starting to chant USA, USA, USA my legs started twitching and I found myself air pedaling. Ever air pedaled while watching baseball? Shows you how much I was itching for a ride...
Well, today the weather could not be better for cycling. The temps are in the 80s with plenteous sunshine and much lower humidity. Who wants to ride???
All this week we have great rides planned including 3 rides this coming Labor Day weekend. Check the Ride Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for all the details! Tonight's ride should be very well attended as everybody is chomping at the bit like a bunch of race horses...uh, Clydesdales that is! Come on out for some great peloton antics from the cast of unusual characters that can only be identified as the Firestone and Summit Group!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Well, today the weather could not be better for cycling. The temps are in the 80s with plenteous sunshine and much lower humidity. Who wants to ride???
All this week we have great rides planned including 3 rides this coming Labor Day weekend. Check the Ride Calendar at the bottom of this blogulation for all the details! Tonight's ride should be very well attended as everybody is chomping at the bit like a bunch of race horses...uh, Clydesdales that is! Come on out for some great peloton antics from the cast of unusual characters that can only be identified as the Firestone and Summit Group!
See you out on the road,
Bob
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