Could be a Sufferfest

Well, Tour de Cure riders, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?

While you are deciding, I'll let you know how the latest edition of the Wednesday evening Hammerfest turned out. We had a good group, mostly the usual characters with a couple of new faces. We headed out under just about perfect skies with a breeze out of the northwest. The first time down Langley the pace was civil...for Langley, that is...I think mid 20s. We turned onto Spanish Trail and Scott "Hurt Locker" Burt took over the pace making from the Vortex who had led the group from the start.

Once onto the Crit Loop the pace increased substantially as the boys love this section to be taken at speed. It really is a fun little 2 miles or so, with lots of curves and turns to keep your attention. Back onto Spanish the pace eased a bit until we crossed 9th Avenue. We charged west on Fairchild with an attack launched by the Hurt Locker and several others following including Big Motor, Left Lane and Lawman. The entire peloton regrouped at the Creighton Crossing.

The loop through the park was civil and then once again the pedals were turned in anger as the bunch hammered down Burgess. (Using my best Phil Liggett accent here) Now comes Langley. This final pass of Langley on the Figure 8 Loop is always a hoot. As always, there are several attacks that are almost always brought back together on Spanish. This night was no different. As we turned onto Maygarden the group was all together and it was evident that the boys were ready for some rompin and stompin.

With about 2k to go, Mark "Marcus Arelius" Calvert had the bit between the teeth and was pulling the bunch along. At 1.4k to go, the Vortex, who must have had a burr in his saddle, took a flyer. It caught several of the group off guard as he had a pretty good gap with 1k to go. However, there were 3 amigos who cried out, "No mas!" and took up the task of bridging the gap. With 500 meters to go, there were four together at the front; Lawman, Hurt Locker, Big Motor and Vortex.

At 300 to go, the missile is launched, that is the Hurt Locker. Lawman and Big Motor gave chase as the Vortex decided on chips and salsa with a pina colada. Lawman had just 100 meters or so to reel in the frisky Hurt Locker, but lost by less than a bike length. (I just love this kind of stuff!) So, the weekly bragging rights go to Scott "Hurt Locker" Burt, (who refused the post ride drug test), with David "Lawman" Carroll a very close second and third goes to Keith "Big Motor" Irwin. Vortex was a distant fourth looking for the guacamole dip. Great fun! Great ride! And congrats to the Hurt Locker for his first ever F&S Hammerfest win!!!

So, have you decided yet? I mean, do you want the good news or the bad news first?

I'm waiting...

Still waiting...

Alright, you took too long, I'll just choose for you. Tomorrow is the Tour de Cure! Once nicknamed the Tour de Flats. Hopefully not this year. A wonderful ride with lots of our fellow cyclists throughout the entire Pensacola area and beyond. I am really looking forward to it. How about you? I hope to see all of you there!

Now for the good news...oops, I mean the no so good news...the weather forecast calls for beautiful skies with no chance of rain. Nice temperatures, perfect for riding! Come on somebody! Come on everybody!!!

"Then what's the bad news?", you're asking. Well...it's the wind. Looks like we will have a pretty strong headwind on the beach road coming back. Right out of the southwest. Could be a Sufferfest.

Choose your paceline wisely young Jedi...

See you out on the road,
Bob