Yes, it is difficult to believe that only 2 weeks from this evening we will be out for our first Wednesday evening Hammerfest of 2011! Man, how time flies! Before you know it, we'll be riding the Tour de Cure and then onto the first ever Pensacola to Tallahassee Ride. If you are wanting to ride the Tour de Cure, please sign up under the Team Mayo group. If you are interested in the Pensacola to Tallahassee Ride please contact me as soon as possible at rjgravesjr@cox.net.
What an amazing calendar of rides we have scheduled this year.
In fact, our own David "Lawman" Carroll is putting together a group from Firestone and Summit to ride the infamous Cheaha Challenge this year. If you are interested in participating go to: www. cheahachallenge.com or contact the Lawman at: davidcarrolllaw@hotmail.com.
Wow, and this is only the first half of what is looking to be an awesome 2011 full of great rides.
And, speaking of great rides, we had a blast on the Pine Forest Loop this past Saturday. The weather was just about perfect for the huge group of riders including a couple of new faces to the peloton. The pace was easy all the way to Massachusetts Avenue where traditionally the pace quickens a bit. We regrouped on Mobile Hwy and pretty much stayed together until the turn onto Interstate Drive.(It's a road that runs alongside of I-10...we were NOT riding on THE Interstate. Uh, just to clear that up less the rumors start flying!)
Once on the Interstate Drive, Big Motor went to the front and put the hammer down knowing that we always have a sprint at the end of this 4 kilometer roadway. He kept it in the mid to upper 20s until the big Clydesdale boy, El Foxo decided the pace wasn't rich enough for him and took charge with about 3 k to go. Foxinator, (El Foxo...the dude has more nicknames than Left Lane has brewskis in his refrigerator), kept the pace in the upper 20s until he gave up the ghost with about 1.5 k to the line of this "rest stop" sprint.
To everyone's surprise, the Big Motor came back to the front, (he had been second wheel) and tightened down the screws. This was shaping up to be a royal sprint indeed!
With 500 meters to the line, I heard a horrible clacking noise coming from the back of the group. The cadence of the clacking was quickening...meaning somebody was cranking up their sprint! All in the group knew it was El Foxo, whose machine had developed a clacking "complaint" under his turbo charged pistons of power. You see, for those of us that ride with Winn Dixie, (told you he has many nicknames), he had this same problem with his previous Trek carbon frame. Apparently, he literally grinded his bottom bracket into pieces under his powerful torquing.
Now, I know what you're thinking; "How can this be? Lance rides a Trek carbon and he hasn't chewed up his machine!" Well, consider these facts: 1) Lance gets a new ride every year, so he perhaps wouldn't have the time to knarl up his bottom bracket. 2) Lance doesn't weigh any where close to the big Clydesdale boy. And, 3) I'm pretty safe in saying that Lance probably gets a "Special" machine, not just something off the rack. Frankly, I just think that it is the unique combination of strength and weight that the El Foxo dictates. He's a big dude and packs some serious power! However, whatever the case, it appears he is having the same problem as before...which broadcasts when he is cranking up his sprint.
Therefore, when Gianni heard him coming, he jumped as well. Now the Vortex is sitting on the Big Motor's wheel thinking this is way too far out to begin the sprint in earnest. However, the boys are charging and he wants the, (albeit meaningless) prize, so he clicks a couple gears and "Let the rompin' and stompin' begin!" I just love this kind of stuff.
So with 300 meters to go, there they were 3 abreast, head's down charging up to the line like you think it was the last stage of the Tour. With 200 meters left, it was evident who had selected the right gear as the Vortex started to leave the others behind. His "swirling mass", (partial definition of Vortex) came across the line 1st with Gianni 2nd and the clacking machine ridden by Foxinator in 3rd. Great sprint and good fun!
On the way home, the Big Motor showed us all who really has the "Big Motor" as he stomped it up Fox Run Hill leaving the rest of us sucking air. He really has a remarkable ability to motor along in a big gear for many miles. I know, I have raced against him every year in the Senior Games TTs...he always wins!
Beautiful day and a great ride for all those who came out. This Saturday we will be heading either to Fort Pickens or Soundside, depending on the wind. Come on out and get in those base miles before we really start the riding season in earnest!
See you out on the road,
Bob
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