This past weekend saw the peloton blown to bits on the beach road. Yes, in the summer the road between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach is more like riding in the Mojave than in Florida. I think it was actually the heat and not the pace that had so many suffering on Saturday's 70 miler. We started out looking at a 45 mile ride on a very nice, although warm morning. At the rest stop, the suggestion was made by somebody, (no one will say who) that we should go on around the Sound. I really think several of us just weren't prepared for a longer ride. Afterall, the ride schedule said 45 miles.
We had about 20 or so riders when we started...great group. However, by the time we reached Pensacola Beach, the lead group was down to 6 or 7, with the carnage strewn across several miles behind. It was a hard ride for some and absolutely brutal for others. Has anybody seen Randy and the family Riche since Saturday morning about 10am? I heard from a few others who got home okay, some had to call for rides. (And one who expressed, "If anybody ever suggests riding that beach road again in the summer, tell them to shut up." ) Yeah, everyone loves a good Sufferfest. (Check the Cycling Terminology page).
However, I think the best way to determine if a ride was a success or not is by checking how many show up the next day. Any guess as to how many we had on Sunday afternoon's ride? What?
15, no you're just a bit high.
12? Nope, still too high. How many?
5? Uh, still just a bit too high. What's that you say?
4? No, cut that in half.
Yup, just 2 showed up on Sunday for an easy recovery spin...can you say, "I sure do love a good Sufferfest?!"
Well, it still was a great weekend for riding. I actually had 100 miles for the two days. And I'm looking forward to some more great riding this week! Speaking of, please check out our new Ride Calendar at the bottom of the blog for the schedule. Click on the ride for the details. A couple rides of note: The Full Moon Ride coming up on Sunday the 25th. This is a group favorite and a big hit with some of our couples! (Casanova Coolio) And check out our next SSORES ride. It starts at the Gulf Breeze Wal Mart and covers about 45 to 50 miles on a brand new loop! I'm really looking forward to it, and...
...Seeing you out on the road,
Bob
I really enjoyed the sufferfest saturday. Sure, I did a lot of drafting, but I also did a significant amount of solo riding starting at about halfway along the beach road.
ReplyDeleteSure, it was longer that planned, but with the stops it was manageable. Personally I like to get home by 11am to get out of the sun. I made it home by 11:30; so not too far off target.
The last few days work projects have had to take priority over riding. Hopefully work will settle down so I can ride more.
Jennifer and I are really looking forward to the moonlight ride this weekend. We plan on showing us with the tandem again.
What doesn't kill ya, just makes ya tougher! I am tougher by a power of 10 from Sat. No regrets. I loved it! I run Sunday mornings......and rest in the afternoons! See you Saturday!
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