Although the temperature at our 8am start time will be mid 50s, the weather forecast for the Hurst Hammock route looks fantastic! Plenty of bright warm sunshine and temps climbing quickly into the 60s before we even get a chance to get chilled. The Hammock is one of our all time group faves. This ride has it all, including an almost 3 mile uphill out of The Hammock after the sprint down into the famed Swing. This sprint will no doubt be hotly contested with all the big guns sure to show up for the weekly bragging rights. (Of course no Crusher or Vortex so the prize will be a bit tainted.) However, a victory is a victory nonetheless!
After our customary rest stop at Hwy 90 and Beulah Road, we will continue onward to Kingsfield Road where yet another long hill awaits the peloton. This is, in fact, where the longer route group and the shorter route group part ways. The short bus turns right on Kingsfield while the group that enjoys a good stink continues on past the dump and a right hander on Muskogee. Both groups regroup at the second rest stop at 9 mile Road and Pine Forest Road for the monthly verbal bashing by the latest curmudgeon. (Uh...had to be there.) Once altogether again, then we head towards home on Detroit, Johnson and parts east. Great ride for a December Saturday morning! Hope everyone can make it!!!
The ride starts this Saturday at 8am at Firestone and Summit. Short route will be about 45 to 50 miles with the longer route about 55 to 60 miles. Pace will be moderate until The Hammock sprint...at that point, all bets are off!
Now for a Crusher and Vortex update:
Ran into Crusher this week. He expressed that he will hear from Trek as to what, if anything, they will do concerning his cracked carbon frame. He seemed anxious to have the situation resolved so he can get back on the machine and back in the peloton. Physically he is ready, just needs a bike. He did confess however, that he was spending his discretionary funds on some more insulation in his attic at home. Translation: Probably won't be getting the next Madone upgrade. Look for a more status quo Crusher returning to the peloton.
Vortex on the other hand, is still hurting physically. He's been seen all over East Pensacola Heights riding his now famous, (thanks to Left Lane) Grocery Bike. Sad sight. One day he was even spotted toting several bags of groceries on his heavy machine on his way home from Apple Market. However, he is hopeful that he will be back on his titanium Lynskey before the end of the year. Ribs are slow healers man! His machine is ready, he is not. Just the opposite of the Crusher's situation. Maybe the peloton will see both out by Christmas week. What a welcome sight that would be!
But until then, only on his Grocery Bike will he...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Crusher has had the worst luck with Trek. Maybe he should consider a Lynskey?
ReplyDeleteWhere did you hear that slanderous rumor about Crusher considering a Lynskey?
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to be a secret. No one knew about his conversations with Lynskey except Crusher and me!
What in the world is going on?! Isn't anything sacred any more? Not even the most intimate of visits are hidden from public scrutiny. I mean what is more private than a rider's confidential communion with his frame builder?! This is an outrage! Before you can say "privacy rights" the news of his Lynskey affair will be plastered all over the Internet. Unbestinkinglievable!
I hate the Paparazzi! This is their doing isn't it? Those wretched tabloids...
Sorry Crusher, looks like the gig is up and the word is on the street. However, I'm glad I had nothing to do with it going public.
It was only a thought sitting at my computer. I promise. No snooping. No wire tap. I don't even read tabloids much less work for one.
ReplyDeleteI mean I do read PNJ sometimes, but they have a hard enough time with local news that is fed to them; I can't imagine them doing investigative reporting. They don't even print the PNJ in Pensacola anymore.
It will be VERY interesting now to see what Crusher shows up on for the rides. Al the more reason to ride with the group.