We had two really nice rides this past weekend. Saturday's ride was a new loop out to the west using a variety of roads from our current arsenal. Light group for this 45 miler. Several of the usual peloton rode the Yellow Ride or is it Ride Yellow?! Regardless, a number were in Bay Minette for that ride and a two were in Banff in the Canadian Rockies celebrating their wedding anniversary. Great place to do that by the way...the, uh lovely Mrs. Graves and myself spent our honeymoon there way back in 1980. Ah yes, the Banff Springs Hotel, how I remember it well. Although, I'm sure David and Beverly remember it better. Beautiful, majestic place.
Back to live action; the final few miles Saturday had gotten a bit frisky as Chuck Norton, (badly in need of a nickname) went on a beastly pull that resembled a pull of suicide classification. (See Glossary). You see, a small group had gapped the main group on Langley. As the 3 made the turn onto Maygarden, they noticed that John "Gianni Bugno" Duke was trying to bridge the gap. That's when "El Chucko", naa that's no good; that's when "Upchuck"...nope, I don't like that one either. Hmmm...how 'bout "Norton Anti-virus"? Crud, don't like that one either. Anyway, that's when Chuck put the hammer down all the way to the top of Maygarden with Left Lane and one of the Clydesdale boys in tow. Poor Gianni was giving it all he had, but "Chuckie's in Love" had the bit between the teeth! (Hmmm, now that nickname might stick)
As we crested the hill he still had something left in the tank and cranked it up to the mid 20s. However, as soon as the finish line came into view that big Clydesdale behemoth started tweaking his frame and it was game over. Left Lane later expressed in the post ride interview that he was toast and had to relegate himself to sucking the wheel of Chuckie's in Love. (Uh, somehow that doesn't sound right...might still be searching for a nickname for Chuck)
Sunday's ride had some of the usual suspects with a extra helping of Young Jedis. (See Glossary) We looped around to the north and then downtown to ride the new crit course for the Pensacola Cycling Classic. The Young Jedis seem to delight in this with attacks and sprints that were never ending. We finished up the ride by ascending the 5 story parking deck. On the way up, Chip "Circle K" Wilson somehow laid it down in one of the corners. When asked to explain himself, he seemed confused and disoriented stating "I dunno wha happened!" However, he and his lime green machine were fine so to the top we went. The ride home was uneventful with no attacks or sprints to mention here. (I think the heat is really starting to get to some. More on that later this week). For now, here's this week's ride schedule:
Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm at Firestone and Summit. Usually 20 to 25 miles at a moderate pace.
Wednesday evening at 5:30pm at Firestone and Summit. This is the midweek Hammerfest. Around 25 miles at a moderate to very fast pace.
Saturday at 7:30am at Milton Bike trailhead behind Truly Spokin. This is the 2nd in our SSORES events. We are joining the Blackwater Group for a ride out to the new road race course for the Pensacola Cycling Classic. About 55 miles with pace groups for fast, moderate and easy riders.
Sunday evening at 7:30pm at Casino Beach Parking Lot. Come beat the heat in this cool evening ride down to Fort Pickens. We'll enjoy a beautiful sunset on the way there and a full moon to light the road on the way back. About 20 miles at an easy pace. Great, fun ride!
It would be nice to have a ride calendar attached to this blog somehow. Hmmm, I'm going to work on that. Might take a while, I'm not exactly a Bloganator yet!
See you out on the road,
Bob
Yeah, it is called Ride Yellow. It was a great ride and for the most part the group of 8 stuck together pretty good. We did 62 miles making 2 stops. I'm planning to participate again next year. It is a well supported ride and for a good cause too.
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