Holiday Weekend Rides Recap

Here is the latest posting from the Left Lane. He's actually getting quite good at writing these blogifications. Perhaps a more permanent position is in his future?! Uh, the Literary Left Lane. (Triple L) Here's Left Lane:

Can’t wait to get the Vortex back to writing these blogs. Guest blogging every now and then is OK but being the regular blogger is a lot of work. Especially when you have been on three group rides in 3 days. All the miles and all the different riders are like a maze in my Yuengling addled brain.!!

Thanksgiving Ride: I think this is the first time I’ve been on the annual Turkey Day parade lap of the Figure 8. This ride is basically designed to make us guilt free later in the day as we wolf down turkey, taters, green bean casserole and pies & more pies and……. Well you get it. Plus the group was lured out expecting the return of the Crushed Foxinator. Alas, when we queued up for the start no Foxinator but as I rode up I realized the Old English country gentlemen looking fellow on a Grocery Bike was none other than the Vortex coming buy to greet the peloton. Bob looked like he is doing much better and informed us that The Fox when getting on his bike to rejoin the peloton discovered the carbon frame on his Trek was cracked from the Pickens Calamity. So I guess we will have to wait a while to get the Fox back as he explores alternative bike solutions. We also saw some faces that we had not seen in a while with Rusty “The Mayor “ Rood and Sheila making appearances for the first time in quite a while.

Anyway , as advertised we did the figure 8 at a nice parade pace pretty much devoid of antics. But as usual once we got to the Langley Maygarden loop the hammer went down. Retro Dave took the Turkey Day Braggin Rites but more importantly we all went home and ate heartily and with impunity from the Fat Gods…..Like I say when people ask me why I ride so much…I say so I can eat so much(and of course the Yeugling thing as well)!! You know what people my age have to eat like if they don’t get out and put in the miles running, biking etc…..Eat Like a Bird….Not for me!!

Friday ..The 3 Amigos Loop: One of the group favorites. Only one problem, I wasn’t sure what the actual loop consisted of. Good thing Johnny Bugno showed up. He had received a text from The Bad Mayo that he was not riding and asking if he knew the loop. Johnny looked it up on his mapped rides and sure enough he had it and he became the de facto leader of the ride (we only made a couple of wrong turns along the way). We had 7 riders with Bugno, Roc Doc, Happy, Nestor, The Left Lane, Retro Dave, and returning for the first time in months Semper Sy Earl Page.

We had a great ride with Happy getting out and slamming down a couple of pulls early on and muttering something about how he was feeling guilty about all the food he ate Thanksgiving. I guess the parade lap Thursday was not enough for the Hapinator to assay the overeating guilt trip. Nestordamus hammered out some strong pulls as well as we headed out to Blue Angel Parkway where Bugno took over and led us to our break at Lillian.

We had a great ride heading out to Gulf Beach Highway and heading for the Fried Twinkie sprint. Alas, with the Vortex & Crusher missing and the peloton easing off as we headed back into the wind we actually noodled over the Navy Point/Twinkie section of the ride. As honorary captain of the ride Bugno led us over the NP Bridge taking the uncontested Fried Twinkie prize.

Nestor & Retro Dave pretty much put it to the rest of us heading over the Barrancas Bridge and Bugno Happy & Left Lane (The Three Amigos The Left Lane intoned) took the Garden Street route as we headed to the finish (Richey’s Package). Great ride of appx 50 miles and Bugno, The Left Lane, Roc Doc, & Semper Sy kicked back for a cool beverage of the Yeungling kind and told tall tales and talked about tomorrow’s ride…the Innerarity Loop.

Saturday… The Innerarity Loop: Ok, another day , another 50miles. Just what the Left Lane needed to meet his Thanksgiving week goal of 200 miles. With my morning rides and getting off Wednesday early this fifty miler would get me to 200. We had a good turnout on a fairly windy morning. Attending were, Retro Dave, Happy, Roc Doc, The Left Lane(this group participating in all three F&S sanctioned events for the week), The Danaimal, Bad Mayonaisse, Sheila, Woody & Carol Ann, Clark, and Suburu WRX 7 Destry.

We started from Fish & Wildlife and we joked about our last start from here where everyone chased Harlan on our misadventure on the Lillian Loop. Well, we had a much more organized start this time and unlike the last time, caught every light going through town.

The Danimal showed up on his new (for him) used Cervelo P3 DuraAce TT Bike. If it is true, as they say, he who has the most toys wins…The Danimal is the hands down winner!!. When I asked if he was getting serious about Time Trialing he said no that he was just getting tired of chasing some of the 20 somethings out on the Beach Road rides when they went into Aero Mode on their TT bikes!! The Danimal admitting that he is human after all??!! Anyway, Dana and the Left Lane put down the hammer early on the Jackson street leg trading pulls as we headed toward Lillian and giving the Cervelos a work out.

We took a short break at Lillian & Bauer and headed toward Gulf Beach Highway. Good hard riding out toward Gulf Beach Highway with several riders taking turns at the front …some separations and regroupings. As we turned onto GB highway the wind was mostly in our face again. Dana & Harlan separated out front with Left Lane falling off about halfway to the Dub Blum Bridge. As the Left Lane fought the wind in No Man’s Land , Destry and Sheila came rolling buy and gave me a pull the rest of the way to a the Tom Thumb at Sorrento. The Peloton regrouped and we headed once again toward Navy Point and the Fried Twinkie Bridge.

Dana, Harlan, Destry and Left Lane separated out front. We headed through the Navy Point section over somewhat torn up roads and over the Bridge and out to Navy Boulevard where we waited for the rest of the Peloton to catch up. As we waited, my phone rang and it was The Bad Mayo saying there was a wreck of the second group just before the Navy Point Bridge and that Sheila likely had a broken wrist. Well Dana, Harlan and I headed back and as we arrived Sheila was definitely in pain and had a bloody finger but luckily her wrist was moving now and likely not broken. She had gotten tangled up with Retro Dave at the turn toward the bridge and went down pretty hard. Sheila called her daughter to come out and get her and Retro whose bike was damaged and not rideable. Luckily though Retro was not injured. It was a shame to see Sheila go down so soon after returning to the peloton and who was having such a good ride. Hopefully she is not seriously hurt and will return soon.

After being assured Sheila & Retro had a ride coming, the Peloton headed off toward home. Dana and Harlan separated from the group on Country Club Road with Left Lane just behind. I could not catch up though so I took the short cut out to Barancas for the trip over the Bridge. I headed down Garden St to avoid the blustery wind on Bayfront and pulled into Ritchey’s with a second 50 mile ride in two days completed.

I waited for the rest of the group to show up to join me for the after ride refreshments. Finally, Dana showed up (he had waited up at Bayfront & Palafox for a while) and we kicked back for a few cold ones on the side of Ritchey’s. We looked out for the rest of the group to go by but did not see them. Hope they made it home OK. And hope Sheila’s injuries are not serious.

Another great ride and 200 miles this week for the Left Lane!!! Had to do the miles with all the chocolate, pecan & pumpkin pies that are around my house on Thanksgiving week!!

Till next weekend,

The Left Lane

Our best wishes and prayers are with Sheila as she recovers from the fender bender with Retro. Hopefully nothing more than a cut finger...I hope, I hope, I hope! I sent her an email to get an update but haven't heard anything back as of this writing. If you hear anything from her, please leave a comment here on this Blogazoidal or email me so we can let everyone know her condition.

Thanks again to the Left Lane for helping with these many blogifications in my absence from the peloton. You really need the actual fodder of being in the group to be able to write a posting. I mean, nobody would want this Blogazoidal to be full of fictional happenings. (However, a wee bit of literary license on a rare occasion never hurt anyone, right? Of course not. Just gives the writings a savory flavor.)

Maybe by Christmas I'll...

See you out on the road, (not on the Grocery Bike though),
Bob

Rides Scheduled This Weekend...and Some Housekeeping

We have four rides scheduled for this Thanksgiving weekend. The first ride is, of course, the parade paced Thanksgiving Day ride scheduled for 8am leaving from Firestone and Summit. This annual social event is about 20 to 25 miles long on a route around northeast Pensacola. (Actually it is our WERAD loop). Rumor has it that Tim "Crusher" Fox will make his return to the peloton after the devastating crash with the Vortex six weeks ago on Fort Pickens road. For those of you who haven't heard, the Vortex snapped off his pedal during a sprint sending him and Crusher to the floor and the hospital!

Black Friday will find the peloton far away from any shopping malls and enjoying a moderately paced ride on the 3 Amigos Loop! This fun route is about 40 to 45 miles long and will keep us away from the madness of the soccer moms. This ride starts at 8am from Firestone and Summit as well and we will have one rest stop to fill the bottles and tell stories.

Our Saturday ride will be the group fave Innerarity Point route. We start from Fish and Wildlife at 8am and will have one or two rest stops depending on how the group is feeling. This route also incorporates the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint! Look for the Left Lane to break early and use the Rule of Scofflaw (ROS) to gain an advantage for the coveted award. If he is unable, it's potluck with Crusher and the Vortex sidelined. I could see Gianni throwing it down. Regardless of who wins, this may be the most fun you will ever have on a 50 mile ride!

Sunday will see the peloton back at Firestone and Summit for the weekly easy cruise around town. We usually ride for about 20 miles or so with one rest stop. If you are looking for an easy paced ride not too far from home, this is your ride. Come on out and enjoy a ride with the cast of unusual characters. You'll be glad you did!

Now a few housekeeping notes:

1. Please be advised that until Spring all morning ride start times will be at 8am unless otherwise notified because of cold or inclement weather. Sunday afternoon rides now start at 2:30pm.

2. For your convenience, we are now posting all the West Florida Wheelmen rides on our Rides Calendar. Since most of us are members of the WFW and it is good for the cycling community it was decided to implement this new feature. (Look for the monthly Time Trial soon!) In fact, Don "The Devastator" Davis (3D...what a great nickname) is hosting a Thanksgiving Day ride from his house on the west side of town to compliment the ride at F&S on the east side of town.

3. With the Vortex out for the foreseeable future, the Left Lane has been doing a bangup job writing the ride commentaries. However, we would very much like to share these responsibilities (honors) with a few others. Let's face it, it's good fun to read the write ups after a ride. Everyone enjoys hearing about the antics and who won the latest bragging rights, etc. Therefore, if you have any interest at all in being the next Tony Kornheiser, please contact the Vortex at: rjgravesjr@cox.net. Don't worry we won't throw you in the deep end with the sharks...we'll just throw you in with the sharks!

Finally, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!! I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends...and don't forget to count your blessings!

Soon I will...

See you out on the road,
Bob

More From The Left Lane

Sounds like the peloton had their hands full on today's Around the Sound loop. Apparently, the route to the infamous crash site was a bit too emotionally charged for many in the group. Therefore, they decided to change the route to something more...benign. Perhaps after a few weeks have passed the riders will be able to handle the terrible sight of Fort Pickens road with a little less anxiety. Until then...

Well, here's Left Lane's report:

The Ride Was Epic!!!

Saturday morning dawned with the wind howling out of the ESE at around 18-20MPH rather than the more mild 10-11 the peloton was expecting. So instead of riding to Ft. Pickens and exorcising the demons of the Vortextual Crushing Calamity we decided to head the other way down 98 on the “Around the Sound” loop with the group to decide when we got to our break out 98 whether any members wanted to go all the way to Navarre and make it a 60 mile ride instead of the 35-40 we were planning.

The hardy group that showed up at Fish & Wildlife included The Danimal, Happy Harlan, Nestor, The HandJives (Danger Sharpe and Bad Mayonaisse), Lawman Dave Carroll, and The Left Lane. Oh yeah, and Retro Dave who showed up on a brand new bike frame…a colorful Collangelo. As I later found out discussing it with the Retro Man it was an aluminum frame similar to his old bike. So I asked why he bought it and it was because it was more colorful…the old bike being drab and not allowing the Retro Mans inner Peacock to properly strut his stuff…it’s hard being a colorful peloton character on a drab bike!!

Well we took off over the bridge and the crosswind was brutal but once we got over the bridge the wind was more sedate. We picked up Roc Doc Paul on the other side of the bridge who said he could only go a short way because he was on call ..something about some women who would probably not wait to have her baby before the full ride was over. Don’t they have a pill to delay births like they have one to induce…how about deduce..Doc was only with us a few miles when we noticed he was gone..must of got the call. We also picked up Doug who whipped his truck into the parking lot at the Baskin Robbins after signaling the peloton to wait up (fashionably late).

Well we had a great ride out 98 and the neighborhood roads to Tiger Point with Left Lane winning the unannounced sprint to the break store over a disinterested peloton. I love it when you sprint and no one chases..much better success rate that way!!

So we took our break and started talking about doing the full Around The Sound Loop. We asked how far to Navarre knowing it would be a brutal pretty much directly into the wind ride. Dana assured us that it was only 7.5 miles (an easy pull for the Danimal). Well having come this far the prospect of getting over the Navarre Bridge and having a 20mph tailwind express for the ride home was too much to pass up. The entire group was in and we headed off.

With Dana, Nestor, Harlan, Doug & Left Lane separating from the others we ran around 3 miles before turning into a neighborhood down to the sound. When we popped back out on 98 we saw the rest of the group up ahead apparently having gone straight on 98. Well Dana put down the hammer trying to reel in the ½ Riders and in the process he and Happy ditched the Left Lane and Doug & Nestor who got caught back yaking as we went back out on 98. Oh Great, here was the wind challenged Left Lane out in no man’s land fighting that brutal wind, solo. Well Nestor caught up but I could not grab his wheel and then after another mile or so Doug caught up in Aero Position on his Cervelo and I hitched a ride with him to the base of the Navarre Bridge…Preesh the pull Doug!! We regrouped at the Tom Thumb and got ready for the Hammerfest down the beach road to Pensacola.

Retro Dave led us out on to the beach road with the pace slowly accelerating as the Peloton came together and the push from the wind kicked in 23..25..27..29..all of a sudden around 2 miles into the dash we were up over 30 with Dana & Retro Dave pushing the pace. Well that was a little to much for me and several others. The lead group pushing that crazy pace was Dana, Retro, Nestor, and Lawman, with Harlan just missing the wheel and Doug and the Left Lane and then Danger and Bad Mayo riding together in the rear. Doug and I were pretty much together or within 50 yards of each other all the way not pace lining but still being able to maintain around 27 mph in solo mode and having the lead group in our sights most of the way. We regrouped at Portofino with everyone pretty “stoked” from riding the tailwind express (had to throw in “stoked” for Doug who was going to exchange his bike for a surfboard and ride some waves after the bike ride).

Rumor had it that the lead group pretty much cruised in the 30-31mph the whole way with Retro & Dana pulling into Portofino first and Nestor, Happy & Lawman next and then Left Lane, Doug and Danger and BM not far behind.

As we headed for the final leg home I was pretty much toasted but managed to get out and do the first pull most of the way down to Pbeach with Dana and Nestor in tow and the rest of the group back having started slowly out of Portofino. Unfortunately at the light at the main beach the wind was now a cross wind and I watched Dana and Nestor pull off into the distance as we headed up the Sikes Bridge. The run through Gulf Breeze was again with the wind and I went by Dana & Nestor waiting for the group around the Taco Bell. No stopping for the Left Lane at this point … the legs could not take another stop and go and I just barely crawled up the bridge hump at a scintallating 9mph with the legs starting to cramp up. Well the end was in sight and I crawled into the Fish and Wildlife around 10:45 with around 59 miles at an average speed of 18.3. The rest of the boys soon rolled in…a tired group but what a great ride!!

Can’t wait to do it again…TOMORROW…Sunday ride is moved up to 2:30 at F&S and with no Saints game to watch I am committed to being there so if the Vortex posts this tonight we may get a nice group to reinvigorate the Sunday Ride.

Regrets to Vortex & Crusher that we could not visit the hallowed site of “The Calamity” and find the most treasured artifacts in local cycling before a certain sugar coated “former “ F&S ‘er returns to the scene of his most onerous crimes. Maybe next week!!

Later, I here a 6-pak and a Nap calling my name!!

The Left Lane

As always Left Lane, great commentary! This rider, for one can't wait to be back out on the road with the cast of unusual characters. Yep, nothing like a good Tailwind Express to make your day.

But, until then I probably won't...

See you out on the road,
Bob

Back To Fort Pickens

Hey cycling fans, tomorrow the Firestone and Summit peloton is heading back to the site of the season ending crash for Crusher and the Vortex. Yeppers, we are riding back out to Fort Pickens! For those of you along strictly for the celebrity factor, don't worry, we will be stopping at the crash location for photos and a moment of silence. We will even have a time for gathering artifacts that still can be found along the roadside. Items like Crushers handlebar endcap or Vortex's left sunglass lens. (this is the one that looks like someone took a belt sander to it). It is even rumored that a piece of his helmet was found 50 yards from the crash site by a jogger last week.

No doubt these items are worth the trouble to search out. If John Lennon's eye glasses sold at auction for more than $100,000.00, what must these items found at the infamous Crusher/Vortex crash site be worth?! In fact, it was reported two weeks ago that a prowler was arrested outside of Crusher's home late at night. When questioned by local law enforcement officers, the suspect confessed to dumpster diving in Crusher's trash can looking for valuable crash artifacts that Crusher may have thrown out. Police found a torn piece of bar tape in a plastic bag in his back pocket. (the bar tape matched that on Crusher's bicycle) It has a reported auction value in excess of $10,000.00! The suspect is behind bars awaiting arraignment.

Police refused to release the identity of the suspect, but gave a description as a small framed white male in his 60s with a crusty curmudgeon type of disposition and was found with much donut glaze residue upon his face, hands, jacket and shoes, as well as all over Crusher's trash can. Upon results back from the forensics lab, it was determined that the residue was in fact unique to Krispy Kreme donuts and the suspect has been seen frequenting the local Krispy Kreme store by their security cameras. He is being held without bond.

It was also reported that the lens from the Vortex's smashed helmet light was seen on the Antique's Roadshow on PBS last month. The appraisers, Mr. Clif Hanger and Mr. Miles Rider, both of the renown antiquities gallery, Adventurous Sports Antiques in New York City, claim they have never seen such a rare piece in such terrible condition. Yet, because of the celebrity value, estimate it would sell at auction for between $25,000.00 to $30,000.00. The owner, who was in disguise, seemed delighted with the appraisal. When asked his name and how he acquired the piece, he refused to give any information and left the show promptly. Upon review of the video tapes by investigators, it was noticed that the owner had a strange glazing on the front of his disguise and on his hands. This also accounted for the apparent sheen that the appraisers had discovered all over the artifact. The video also revealed the owner was wearing lifts to make himself look several inches taller.

In light of these latest revelations, the peloton will make every effort to spend at least one hour at the site so there is plenty of time to search for these valuable artifacts and to take photos of this historic site. (uh...crash site not the Fort). Therefore, if you are interested, (and I'm sure you are), please be prepared to ride at 7am at Fish and Wildlife tomorrow morning! Don't be late as I'm sure this with be the most well attended ride of the year...with the exception perhaps of the Fenner Century in Milton.

Don't forget to bring an extra $3 to get in the National Park. (Word on the street is that Congress plans on making the crash site a National Historic Monument and thereby raising the entrance fee to $5. But for now it is still $3.) We will also have a rest stop to fill the bottles and tell Crusher/Vortex stories. Now how fun is that?!

If the 45 mile route is a bit too long for you, then meet the group at the south end of 3 Mile Bridge as they cruise through Gulf Breeze. This will make the route...uh, 6 miles shorter. Should be a fantastic day for riding, photos and scavenging. Hope to see everyone out!!!

And, hope to soon...

See you out on the road,
Bob

Latest Left Lane Lamentations

It appears that the cast of unusual characters (although somewhat abbreviated) known as the Firestone and Summit peloton is up to it's usual antics according to the latest lamentation from the Left Lane. However, some may say his unique perspective is a bit skewed. Afterall, there is a reason he's called the Left Lane!

Anyway, here's his latest edition:

Yes the evening rides are over but the weekly Saturday F&S rides continue to be well attended and fantastic rides. The Group did the UWF/Scenic Hills/Pine Forest Loop on what ended up to be a beautiful day for a ride. We pushed the start time to 8:00 to avoid the coldest weather and it seemed the temp was close to 50 degrees around start time and got up around 60 later in the ride. Perfect riding weather, although some showed up looking like they were ready to go on the Iditarod!!! Of course you can always take off as the weather warms up.

Riding were Johnny Bugno, Dana (on his spanking new Bianchi), Lawman Dave Carrol, Nestor, Doug, The Bad Mayo, Retro Dave, Roc Doc Paul, Ron, and The Left Lane. Think that's everyone. We took the usual route out to the hilly UWF loop. As we slammed it down the hill toward the light after the ball field the lead group turned right just as the Left Lane was catching up. I was hitting close to 37 mph and had no choice but to go straight ahead on the usual route. The lead group including Dana, Retro Dave, Nestor & others went down the big hill to the bottom of UWF. As I reached the top of the hill on the regular route, I was going to wait for the others to come back up the hill but when I looked back toward the Commons I saw the group of F&S X-Gamers coming back up through the University on the sidewalks with Retro Dave in the lead!! When I caught up at the Water Tower we talked about the sidewalk route and I admitted that the last time I went down that hill on a solo ride I took the sidewalk route back as well rather than climbing back up L'il Alp D'UWFez!!

After regrouping, the Left Lane led the spirited romp on the downhill heading to Scenic Hill. The group slammed it pretty hard through Screaming Hills (that's what we used to call it when I played high school golf...due to the tight fairways that made you want to scream). The group was pretty much all together as we hit 9 ½ mile road and we had a great ride out to Pine Forrest for our break at Detroit Blvd.

The ride back was pretty uneventful taking the Johnson Avenue route home. As usual Dana was doing most of the work out front. As we worked our way through the neighborhoods around Olive and out to 9th Avenue we were all together heading to the Langley Maygarden Loop. When we got out onto Langley, no one seemed to want to push the pace this early. Ron went out to the front and everyone else was content to let him do some work. The pace picked up going up Spanish and as usual The Lawman came around to the front at the start of Maygarden and put down the hammer to soften up the peloton.

The group of Lawman, Dana, Retro Dave, Nestor, and Bugno put the hammer down dropping Roc Doc and the Left Lane just before the turn at the Air Terminal. The Doc and the Left Lane worked together and pursued valiantly but no chance of catching back up or seeing the final sprint. Rumor has it that Dana saved enough on this day to win the bragging rites for the week on the final sprint with Lawman and Retro nipping at his heels and Bugno and Nestor right there as well. The Left Lane and Roc Doc then rolled in with the others soon following.

Great ride!! A little short from our normal rides with around 37 miles at an average speed of around 17mph. Can't wait to do it again next week.

I got out on my solo rides in the early morning twice last week. If anyone wants to try and join me, let me know. I typically leave East Hill around 5:25 and ride up around Spanish Trail & Summit around 5:45 or so to do the Figure 8.

Thanks for your commentary Left Lane. I'm glad there is someone out there riding who can give us a write up of the latest peloton antics. I really miss that!

If you missed it, don't fret yourself, the F&S group will be heading out again this weekend! Maybe you too can be a part of the paceline on Saturday or the easy cruise around town on Sunday. Either way, it will be good fun!

Hope to, in not the too distant future,

See you out on the road,
Bob

A View From The Left Lane

In an effort to keep you up to date with the local peloton antics the Left Lane has sent in his own unique perspective. I'm sure he as well as some others will keep you informed as to the cast of unusual characters that are the Firestone and Summit peloton. Here is his latest submittal for your literary enjoyment:

Saturday Morning Ride Report

Boy it was chilly at the start of the Saturday morning ride. As we queued up for the start at Fish & Wildlife, I was regretting that I had not worn long sleeves and some toasty toes. Of course I only had to ride down 17^th Avenue from my house so I had not had a chance to warm up at all.

Usual suspects were Bugno, Dana, Chris, Happy, Nestor, Paul, The Left Lane, Josh, Bad Mayo, Retro Dave, and a couple of the Bikes Plus guys. The start was crazy…Happy Harlan was on a limited time frame so as we waited to get everyone ready he took off on his own. Well a few minutes later we thought everyone was ready but I think the Bikes Plus guys may of still been wrestling to fix a flat, but the boys were all chomping at the bit and out of the chute so there was no slowing down!! Except Mayo who went over to see if the BP guys were ready.

Well the pace off the bat was quickly up over 20mph and we slammed through 9^th Avenue and down town with out having to stop at any lights. I talked to Bad Mayo later that night and having started slowly he got caught at a light and was never seen again. He went on the normal Lillian route for a way and had a nice solitary ride. The BP boys were not ready either so they missed the ride as well.

As we crossed Palafox, I could see Harlan up ahead around 1/3 of a mile or so and the boys at the front were pulling the peloton in hot pursuit and chased Harlan even though he deviated from the normal turn up to Jackson Street. So we went all the way to Pace with the peloton getting close to Happy. I was next to last with Bugno as we neared Pace and saw that Happy had turned left to Navy Blvd rather than going up to Jackson. I briefly discussed with Johnny turning up to Jackson but at the last second figured I would never see the peloton again if I went that way so I headed to Navy as well around 200 yards back from the lead as they caught Happy turning right onto Navy. Never saw Johnny Bugno again. Not sure if he headed up to Jackson or followed me and fell off or what.

So the peloton was quickly thinned out and we were on a Hammerfest heading down Navy Blvd before turning left to Highway 98 and then up 98 for a straight shot to Lillian. We smoked it all the way out to Lillian and our average speed was between 20 and 21mph. Retro Dave bolted to the front of the peloton and led the charge up the Lillian Bridge. As usual the hill challenged Left Lane started falling back on the way up but maintained a reasonable pace and grabbed Dana’s wheel as he came around about 60 yards back from the lead. With the Left Lane cresting the hill not too far back and always believing that a downhill with the wind is a “terrible thing to waste”, slammed the big gear and starting reeling in the front runners on the way down and just barely nipped Retro Dave who was easing up at the Alabama sign. The Left Lane was accused of a Quasi-pseudo-Bob-esque win. Well when you learn at the Wheel of the Master of the Unannounced Sprint……..what can I say!!! Certain traditions must be maintained in the absence of the injured!!! Crazy pace though and the fastest I had ever gone clear across town to Lillian Alabama. When we stopped it seemed like we weren’t even completely warmed up yet!!

The rest of the ride was fantastic with the weather warming up and Retro Dave and Dana doing some monster pulls as usual. But the fun was over as we reached Gulf Beach Highway and it was time for the PAIN part of the ride….heading home the last 15 miles or so directly into the wind. Thank goodness Dana loves the pain….The Danamil put his head down and went to the front and never gave up the pull all the way straight down GB Hwy (no Fried Twinkie today) to the Barancas Bridge maintaining a pace into the wind of 18-19mph the entire way. By this time it was Dana, Chris, Nestor & Left Lane in the lead group.

At the foot of the Barancas Bridge my story ends….you know …the hill challenged thing!! Lost too much ground going up to recoup going down and last saw the boys heading down Main Street as the Left Lane went straight toward Garden Street for the solitary ride home the last few miles. Man was I toasted, and cruised home the last miles at around 15mph or so into the wind and ended up home before 11:00 with around 54 miles at an average of 18.5mph.

Great workout!!! With time change, this week I plan to go on the Dawn Patrol at least two mornings a week (as the wind, rain and cold permit) leaving my home in East Hill at 5:30 AM and doing a variation of the Figure Eight for around 22 miles and getting home around 7:00 to get ready for work. Boy I hate the end of riding season!!

Sorry to the guys we lost at the beginning of the ride. Need to have a more organized start next time!

Thanks Left Lane. I'm looking forward to rejoining the group as soon as possible. If not for the exercise and camaraderie, then at least for the Blog fodder! I mean, come on, I can't just make stuff up, right?!

Probably not soon, but I hope to...

See you out on the road,
Bob