More Controversies!

The controversies rage on just like an angry peloton heading for the finish line on top of a mountain...one attack after another! Evidently, as indicated in the previous post, not all the riders are pleased with this new Pull-O-Meter technology. There are even comments regarding it's use in future Firestone and Summit rides. Several riders have expressed they don't like the "control freak" nature of the software stating they feel micro-managed. Others have refused to ever come to the front of the peloton for fear that they may be labeled a POM POM grabber. This new implementation of cutting edge technology has the entire peloton in an uproar and has caused the ride officials to call an emergency meeting. The results of which will be published here as soon as they become available. But, until then...

Back to live action:

The new Northwest Passage Loop was in fact a huge hit with the riders. The only complaint voiced to this point is it's a bit too short. Not to worry, the ride committee has created two other loops incorporating established routes and the NPL therefore bringing into being the Twisted Northwest Passage Loop or TNPL. We'll try one out in the near future.

Other than that one comment, the ride was fantastic. Great roads and a great group of riders. However, more controversy reared it's ugly head on the way back. It appears that Left Lane is claiming victory in the final sprint. However, some of the more prominent among us have cried foul. Here's the meat of the matter; Left Lane surged ahead on Johnston as the peloton was waiting for a few of the stragglers. He then gained an almost four minute advantage over the peloton in the final kilometers. This is almost unheard of. His accusers assert that he must have run through several red lights where the peloton had to stop. He vehemently argues that he did not violate one traffic law on his way to victory.

In fact here is his testimony in his own words:

The Left Lane is BACK!!!! Group had a most excellent ride Saturday with around 17 riders in all. The Northwest Passage loop was a really nice loop if a little short though. Only around 35 miles or so but with my ride to and from the house I ended up with around 43 miles.

Anyway the new bike is paying dividends. Takes much less effort to hold the pace line and also much better going up hills. Although I struggled a little going up the longest hill of the day I was able to catch back up quickly and stayed with the leaders the whole ride until the Left Lane Broke Away!!! Coming out of Fox Run and crossing 9 mile road on Airport I took the pull not going very fast at all but after the downhill leading up to Johnson I had opened up a little gap on the peloton which was taking it easy, as I turned onto Johnson Avenue. I was still not riding hard and not planning a breakaway but as the gap I had got a little bigger and feeling good I decided to slam it down as I turned onto the stretch of Johnson at Jernigan that has the nice downhill then the uphill leading up to the cemetery.

Seeing that I had a considerable gap, as I am sure the peloton was organizing to chase, I kept riding hard and timed all the lights crossing University and Davis and opened quite a gap. I kept riding hard knowing that the boys don’t like to get beat by a breakaway. But this day the Left Lane prevailed getting in at Maygarden & Summitt ahead of the charging group. As I turned around heading back to the finish line Bob & Nathan were rolling in around only a ½ minute or so behind me. I yelled “nice second place” to the Vortex as he rolled up barely nipping Nathan. Hey, when you’re a 56 year old fat man with bad knees, you have take your little victories where you can!!

As I found out later Fishbone and 1 other rider (can’t remember who) had chased me but could not catch up and were spanked by the peloton as they were reeled in on Maygarden. There was talk of relegating the Left Lane for his usual flaunting of the traffic laws but none were needed this day. A good clean breakaway victory…besides no one was close enough to prove that I had ignored any such rules of the road. It’s kind of like that old saying…”If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to here it… did it really fall?”. Just another chapter to add to the Legend of the Left Lane!!

That's his side of the story...

Well, the ride officials have been requested by several of the "Heads of State" to review the video from the hidden cameras at the 5 intersections that Left Lane had to pass on his way to the alleged victory. Upon hearing their request, Left Lane exclaimed in anger, "That's Bogus man!" This was met with no small amount of suspicion from the ride officials wondering if, in fact, he had something to hide. This heightened Left Lane's consternation causing him to question the officials integrity. "I didn't see any stinking hidden cameras!", he barked at one reporter covering the story. Uh...that's because they're hidden!

Upon further review, it was discovered that the Left Lane had slowed, but not stopped at all five of the traffic lights. Two of the lights were green as he approached, one was yellow but two were actually red! The official decision was that he will not be relegated! However, he will be penalized 20 seconds for each red light he violated, therefore incurring a 40 second fine. The peloton came across the line 37 seconds behind Left Lane. With his 40 second penalty he now occupies a solid 3rd place behind Vortex and Nathan the Great-than.

When hearing this news, Left Lane demanded to see the tapes himself. However, to his disbelief, the ride officials had already destroyed them stated officially, "We don't want to spike the ball."

Ah yes, yet another controversy rages on within the humble peloton know only as the cast of unusual characters of The Firestone and Summit Group.

As a follow up, this reporter has learned that the Left Lane is appealing the decision demanding that, "Where there is no evidence there is no crime!" (He keeps mumbling something about a tree falling in the woods...)

Well, if you missed that ride...bummer! But, don't get too down on yourself, there's another ride tonight and tomorrow evening as well. And, I'm sure there will be plenty on antics to go around for all. So come on out and enjoy a ride on the F&S Express. (Check the Rides Calendar for all scheduled departures times) Until then, I'll...

See you out on the road,

Bob