...even with the Sheriff Deputies showing up! (don't ask) Actually, they were a couple of great guys! And they even were on bikes. Good news is; no tickets and we didn't have to bail Left Lane out. (don't ask again!) Good times!
This had to be the best Full Moon Ride ever! I mean, the weather was perfect, great group and we even timed the ride correctly so we saw the sunset and the moon rise...nice! Not to mention the unbestinkinglievable Tailwind Express on the way back. I don't think we ever dipped below 26mph! Man, I just love this kind of stuff!
Several new faces too! But, it was the usual characters that were up to the usual peloton antics on the way out to the Fort. The pace was very easy up to the gate, (no Ranger there, so we hardly stopped). Once through the gate, the pace picked up substantially with the Vortex leading into the upper teens. (we were in the 20mph speed limit zone) Just then a couple of SUVs passed him. (neither being white, he decided to accept their draft. Kids, don't try this at home.) Before he knew it he had a fairly large gap on the rest of the bunch. But then the speed limit goes up to 35mph and he gets dropped in no man's land.
What to do?! It is still over 4 miles to the Brick Wall Sprint into a stiff headwind. He looks back and determines there's several hundred meters back to the chasing peloton. He decides to go for it. As he passes the Coast Guard house he checks on the closing group. He's still got a good gap. He is suffering like a dog as he passes the Store, but determines he has a slight chance of holding off the now shredded peloton. Heading onto the final straight which leads to the Brick Wall itself he checks one last time to see he still has a couple hundred meters. (I just love this kind of stuff!) He crosses the line with less than hundred meters ahead of the two surviving chasers, Matt "The Hammer" Salvatorins and Speedy Gonsalez. Animals!
However, in the post ride discussion, the judges decided to RELEGATE the Vortex to last place stating he took draft off of neutral services vehicles to his advantage. This is shocking news because there has not been a Relegation handed down since the Bad Mayonnaise shook his boney finger of accusation (BFOA) at Danger Sharpe in last season's infamous Pensacola Cycling Classic incident. Of course, when asked for comment about the landmark Full Moon Ride decision, the Vortex whined, "...everybody does it." That Vortex, what a wiener. ( Uh, not that he has twittered photos of himself in his bibshorts. That's a vicious rumor...somebody must have hacked into his twitter account.)
After watching the absolutely beautiful sunset, the group headed back under the gorgeous full moon over an equally beautiful Gulf of Mexico! Fantabulous! However, with the Tailwind Express on the tracks, this train was anything but late for arrival! The Hammer had the bit between the teeth and rarely dropped below 26mph! As soon as he did, the other aero brother came to the front and took us into Anaerobiaville. It was one Stompfest! (New title, will have to define on the Glossary of Cycling Terms page at some point) Somebody said we averaged over 26mph on the way back to Casino Beach.
Great ride and good times! I can't wait for the next one...or, this weekend for the classic Three Amigos Loop. This 40 to 45 miler will be ridden together with both the shorter and longer groups. The pace will be easy to moderate with a couple of sprints thrown in for kicks. (The infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint being one.) We will have one rest stop to fill the tanks and tell stories. (Ask Left Lane about the Deputies)
Looking forward to seeing everyone at 7am at Firestone and Summit for The 3 Amigos Loop! Until then, I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Relegation is too good for you,wily Vortex. Personally, I think you should have been required to wash all the sand and salt off the Peloton's bikes for you car drafting ways!!! Sucking wheel is one thing, but sucking bumper????
ReplyDeleteIt was a great ride though, even though I did not get to see the wall sprint. When I saw you getting away with the car draft, I tried to give Matt a spell at the head of the chase peloton and killed my legs (The Left Lane does not ride well into the wind). I joind up with Chad the rest of the way out and then he popped a spoke which we had to stop and tie up so we drug in quite late. The blast back with the wind was awesome, and the after ride adult beverage and story telling was fun as usual even if the cycle police put a crimp in the revelry. Next time...canned beer (yuk!!) over the sidewalk in the sand with the beach Riff Raf.