The Hammock was Epic!

Saturday's Hurst Hammock ride was epic indeed. It seems as though every time we do the Hammock, there are stories to tell. Remember how David "Two Wheels" Mayo almost had a deer as a hood ornament for his handcycle? Or how he got the nickname Two Wheels? Or how about Chris Huffman n Puffn' running into a burning house to help save a man and his pets?! And later to find out his melted cleats had molded (permanently) to his pedals causing him to take a dive just to get off his machine. And, of course, who can forget Coolio's Corner? (Now named by an act of Congress) All these events happened on previous Hammocks. It is, in fact, easier to get into the Hammock than it is to get out!

Well, Saturday's Hammock was no different. We had a great group as we started out under partly cloudy skies. There was much trepidation as we approached Coolio's Corner, no more than in the man himself. I think there was probably a bit more caution exercised this go round. As we continued toward the Hammock the pace was definitely moderate as everyone was awaiting the beast. We made the left hand turn and there it was...almost 3 miles of downhill..and uphill, remember it is easier...well you got the idea.

The pace quicken as we headed for the township sign sprint. (Uh, population 63.) "Chuckie's in Love" Norton was on the nose with myself followed by another one of the big Clydesdale boys Tim "Grocerystore" Fox, ( don't ask). You see, the Clydesdales knew that Matt, one of the Young Jedis, wanted to take out the sprint at the Hammock, therefore the big boys had a strategy of their own to overcome the young whippersnapper. Chuckie gave up the ghost with about 1k to go. I cranked it up only to see that young weedhopper coming up on my left. I glanced behind to assure my man Grocerystore was on the locomotive. This train was headed for the Hammock!

With about 300m to go, that little rascal and I were side by side. I was calling to the engine room for more power and was getting back a response of, "it ain't happening." I had given my big Clydesdale brother all I had for the leadout, so I pulled over so he could stomp our little friend. It was close, but that Young Jedi beat him at the line. Rats, foiled again!

At the rest stop we chided the little weedhopper for beating a couple of old fat guys and that he should be ashamed of himself for showing such disrespect to his elders. (This is a great way to keep the Young Jedis humble). Uh...all in good fun of course.

Well, the rest of the ride had us stopping for one handcyclist or another every few miles or so. In fact, at one point Rusty and Josh visited with the friendly folks at John Deere Tractors to see about a nut for Josh's machine. It all worked out in the long run including an emergency stop on a hill just as several of us were catching up to a couple in front. One of the handcyclists (who will remain unnamed), had a very scary malfunction. We all kind of bailed into the grass and no one crashed...thank God! We were able to fix his machine with a piece of bungee cord we found laying in the grass right where he stopped...amazing!

Dana "The Animal" Foster declared that the Hammock sure revealed who is fastest going down hill as well as who is fastest going uphill. I have no idea who was first out of the Hammock. I just know I was in the last group out of the Hammock! As Coolio says, "Hills make Clydesdales suffer like dogs." (Smartalec crusty curmudgeon!)

Great ride. All told, 56 miles. And, by the way, on the final sprint on Maygarden, the big Clydesdale boys did some spankin' and pulled out a rompin', stompin' sprint to take the victory over our young weedhopper friend. (Uh, that's another way to keep them humble.) Good fun!

Sunday's Full Moon Ride was absolutely beautiful! A bit breezy, but the sunset was pretty and the full moon over the Gulf was gorgeous! Alot of new faces including Larry Hicks, Tom Hereford and Tina with son Aaron, Randy and Sunaree Bullock and Chuck and Sandy's daughter Chris as well as several of the our regulars. This monthly ride is quickly becoming a classic!

Don't forget to check the Ride Calendar at the bottom of this blog. Just click on the ride for all the details. Also, remember this Saturday is our next in the SSORES series. A new loop starting and ending at the Gulf Breeze Wal Mart parking lot. You guys are gonna love this one!

See you out on the road,
Bob