Perhaps an unusual title for this posting, unless, of course, you've ridden with us in the last year or so, then it makes perfect sense. But, more on that later.
First, a wee bit of commentary regarding last weekend's chilly rides. We had a delayed start because of the temps and some persistent lobbying by a certain unnamed rider who ultimately didn't show up anyway, stating it was too cold. It was in fact cold, but not awful. I think there were 8 of us who headed out on the Dog Track/ Gulf Beach Loop last Saturday. It was a beautiful sunny morning, albeit chilly.
The pace down Jackson, Hwy 98 and across Dog Track was moderate to easy. The sprint on Dog Track was more of a surge than an actual sprint. We stopped to fill the bottles at the Tom Thumb at Gulf Beach Hwy and uh...Gulf Beach Hwy. Strange intersection. After a few minutes of telling stories about the Senior Games last summer, (Jim Britnell declaring that this year he is actually going to train for it...great, and he's in my age group!) we headed for Navy Point and the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint.
The Foxinator, (usual winner of the FTS. He loves fried spongecake), was not in the peloton so a couple of the others had high hopes, that at long last they may, in fact, take home the deep fried morsel. Keith "Big Motor" Irwin was on the nose as we headed onto the Point Road. There was a surge from the back and the others chased. Once caught, it was the Big Motor himself pulling right up until the last corner when one of the big Clydesdale boys jumped around him for the win.
Good fun and the fried trophy stays in the Clydesdale family for yet another week! Those behemoths! And, speaking of behemoths...
The Moaning Rhino made a showing on last Sunday's ride for the first time in more than 6 weeks. The awful sound could be heard for blocks whenever a slowdown requiring a touch of the brakes was needed. You see, the Rhino is actually Coolio. Well, at least his wheels, or should we say his rims. As story has it, Coolio, ever mindful of trying to make his machine another milligram lighter and always aware of the best price, found a carbon wheelset on line.
He claims it is "fine Italian equipment!" There are others that think he purchased the wheels from a sweat shop in Cambodia. Regardless, they make a most unusual sound when Bobby hits the brakes. "Sounds like a Rhino in heat!", explained one cyclist when asked what that terrible sound was. Thus, the new Coolio nickname was born; Moaning Rhino.
Welcome back Bobby. And, thanks! It is great to have a surge of Blog fodder!!!
The weather for Saturday's ride looks perfect! The forecast is for 50s and sunshine at 8am and improving into the 60s before rides end. Therefore, no need to delay the start time so we are cleared for take-off at 8am at Firestone and Summit. Looks like a ride in the Hammock...Hurst Hammock that is! "Don't forget, it is easier to get into the Hammock than it is to get out."
As always, check out all the details on the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogulation. And I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
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