Two Great Rides with More to Come

The last two evenings saw the peloton flexing it's newly formed Spring season muscles. I cannot recall where we had two nights in a row with the pace that frisky. Tuesday evening we had a small group of mostly the regular characters doing an abbreviated Figure 8 Loop, including a new variation called the Crit Loop. The Crit Loop is about a 2 mile appendage to the standard Figure 8 and Super 8 loops. From the feedback we are getting, it is bound to be a frequently visited addition to our arsenal of midweek loops. Dave "Twin Six" Murphy commented that it gives everyone a chance to practice taking corners at high speed. Good training, which is what training rides should be. I think it's a lot fun!

Before we get into Wednesday evening's ride commentary, I want to express my sincere apologies to David Mayo, Rusty Rood, Chuck and Sandy Norton and anybody else who happened to be in the following group. I should have expressed before we started that we would be taking our new Crit Loop as part of the ride. David told me last night after the ride, that they did not see us turn right on Creighton to start the loop so they headed straight as we normally have done in years past. So while we were waiting at Spanish Trail at our regroup spot, they were actually in front of us. It all recreated a bit of confusion and I do apologize to all involved. I will do a better job of communicating next time. Lesson learned.

Back to live action.

We had a great group of very fit and game riders last night. I knew it was going to be a Hammerfest, (as advertised, but several wanted to insure it was), when Harland took off from the gun as if he had eaten two Happy Meals before the ride. Down Langley for the first time since last October and we were bumping 30mph. The boy's were feeling their oats. (What does that mean anyway...why not wheat, rice, soy or something else. Hmmm..."The boy's were feeling their soy." Yeah, maybe oats is better.) We turned left on Spanish Trail and the pace backed to the low 20s. Maybe the boy's oats were running low?! Then right on Creighton and into our new addition: The Crit Loop.

This 2 mile extra little loop has some high speed corners and a finishing straight perfect for an intermediate sprint. There's actually a brick mailbox 100 meters or so from the stop sign at Spanish Trail that I think will work perfect in the future as one of our Sprint Points. Come on somebody! This little loop is good fun and was an instant hit with the entire peloton.

We stopped and waited for everyone to regroup before heading onward. Here's where the confusion became evident. We (I) thought everyone was behind us. As mentioned above, we waited for several minutes and then turned right on Spanish Trail and back on the Super 8 regular course. The pace was fairly moderate the rest of the ride with a little surge along Burgess, but nothing notable.

We got onto Langley and once past Pensacourt, as always, the pace got a bit friskier with the big Clydesdale El Foxo doing most of the work. We got the green light at Spanish so we made the right hander at speed. The pace stayed in the low 20s as we turned onto Maygarden and everybody got a bit twitchy looking for the first acceleration in earnest. No sooner had we rounded the first curve, then off goes big Dave "Twin Six" Murphy. Everybody looked at each other as if to say, "You going?" Finally, another big Clydesdale boy, The Vortex decided to give it a go. Well, this was enough to spark a fire in the rest of the peloton and before we were entering the S curve all were back together with Twin Six at the helm.

With 1.5 kilometers to go, (I know this because some kind hearted soul had come out at some point prior and sprayed markings on the pave'.), Twin Six pulls over and the Vortex takes over keeping the pace high until 1k to go. At this point The Foxinator took over and pulled the entire group up to 500 meters where all bets were off. At 400 meters to go Twin Six puts in an attack that would impress all but the most powerful of sprinters. The Vortex was able to catch his wheel and as they passed the 100 meters to go sign it was an absolute all out rompin', stompin', frame tweakin', all out eye blurring sprint to the line! It was neck and neck. I mean, not a matter of inches, but fraction of inches at the line. A sprint royale indeed!

In the post ride interviews, both Twin Six and Vortex expressed doubt as to who was the winner. The ride officials were up until the wee hours of the night reviewing the photo finish. At one point the official from Upuukistan brought out a magnifying glass to get a closer look. Even with the micro calipers provided by the judge from Anaerobia they could not determine who crossed the line first. It was unanimously declared a dead heat! The fans, who had been gathered outside the official's tent all night waiting with great anticipation, immediately upon hearing the decision, erupted into a chant, "Four more years, four more years!" Then, one of their own, who hadn't had as much to drink, corrected them to a more appropriate, "Rematch, Rematch!"

The media was swarming the crowds for a word from either Twin Six or Vortex, but neither could be found for comment. Reportedly, both were at home with their families resting at that hour. Go figure. However, the officials did rule that the Vortex does get to keep the Sprint Leader's Jersey as he has a greater point total for now.

Great cycling fun! And it was great to see so many of our cycling brethren out on the road including Don "The Devastator" Davis, Ty "Turbo" Turbyfil and the Johnnys, (both El Presidente and Rockets) to name a few! Great ride!

And with more to come tonight and this weekend. This Saturday we are heading out on the Twisted Lillian Loop. This group favorite has an extra twist that is sure to please even the most discriminating cyclist. Bonus: The weather forecast looks absolutely fantastic! Low 60s at start and we will be in the 70s through much of the ride...with bright sunshine! Come on out!

Hope to see you there, and as always...

See you out on the road,
Bob