Around The Bay & Hammer Zones!

I received a telephone call from the Danamal yesterday regarding what was posted this past Tuesday as well as the antics on last Saturday's long group ride. Evidently, the pace was a bit frisky and as the Danamal was the Ride Captain he felt compelled to let everyone know that he too does not have a magical speed thing-a-mo-bob to keep those who want to go fast from doing so. Now, let me see if I got this right...even though his name isn't Bob, the Danamal doesn't have a magical thingy either?

Hey, do any of you guys have one of those?

Regardless, we are here to clarify that neither the Danamal nor the Vortex have a magical thingy that controls the speed of the peloton. Yes, I know, Coolio allegedly uses Vivax Assist, but that isn't a magical thingy either. (Just wanted to mention that for those of you who may be considering a purchase of Vivax.)

Well, glad we cleared that up, aren't you?!

Now, onto the business at hand! Tomorrow morning we are headed out on our group fave Around The Bay Loop. This 65 miler has it all including flats, hills, 8 bridges and two scheduled rest stops! Come on out! Last week we had a huge peloton and from all reports it appears that way again this Saturday! Therefore, we will have a two group format. Everyone will stay together under a moderate pace until the first rest stop. Please note: The shorter route is only 5-6 miles shorter than the longer route. Also...

We are implementing a new plan for our Saturday rides! Each ride will have designated "Hammer Zones". (HZ) These zones are for those who think the general pace is too slow, want a harder workout or had too much caffeine. The HZs will be announced before each ride and have no speed limit. At the end of the HZ, riders will soft pedal to allow the riders who did not participate in the HZ to regroup with those who wanted to hammer. Most HZs will be a few miles just before a scheduled rest stop. This will allow a natural regrouping without hindering those who wanted to go fast. Once out of the HZ, the whole group will proceed at the advertised pace for the ride. (Tomorrow's pace is Moderate.)

All agreed? Great!

Now here are the designated Hammer Zones for tomorrow's ride:

1. Starting at the top of the Escambia River Bridge across the Causeway to the right turn at Chet's Restaurant. Once you turn right, soft pedal until regrouping.

2. Starting at the right turn at the bottom of the hill on Hamilton Bridge Road until the rest stop at the Tom Thumb at Glover Road.

3. Starting at the Toll Booth across Gargoyle Point Bridge to the rest stop at the Wal-Mart gas station.

4. Starting at the top of the hump on 3 Mile Bridge to Ritchey's East where we will partake of the 3L! (Left Lane's Libations)

"I can't remember all those!" Quit the sissifying! Print this page and mount it to your bars or just remember the HZs are (1) the Causeway and just before our (3) stops.

Other than these 4 Hammer Zones, please maintain a moderate pace for the length of the entire ride. ( If you have a question regarding what's Moderate, please see the Pace Chart at the bottom of the Blogazoidal.) This will enable others who may not be as beastly as you to stay with the group on this longer ride. If you are feeling like Quadzilla tomorrow, that's great! But, others may not be feeling as strong. Do them a great service and go to the front, while maintaining the moderate pace, and do a longer pull. You'll get the workout and kudos you were hoping for while helping the group to stay together. And, hey you guys that aren't having a banner day...no whining! Instead, just do short pulls or no pulls at all! Come on man!

Now when we arrive at a Hammer Zone, you hammerheads romp and stomp until your heart rate monitor blows a circuit! You guys that want the moderate pace, stay put! In fact, if I see you hammering, I'm going to stick a gel pack in your front spokes! (Maybe I should bring a whole box.) Everyone use a little self control and we'll have another fantastic F&S ride!!! I, for one, can't wait! (I may even throw down in one or two of those new Hammer Zones just to blow the funk out of the carburator!)

Seriously, none of us has a magical thingy that can control speed. (Although, Crusher has a remote control that changes traffic lights!) Therefore, we need a plan, a format that those of differing levels of fitness can ride together as one peloton on a longer ride.
A simple plan:
1. Maintain a moderate pace for all
2. Stronger riders do more work, weaker riders less work
3. Hammer Zones

We'll keep one eye on the weather forecast for you as it appears there may be a slight chance of rain in the morning. If so, we'll send out a post and/or a mass email to let everyone know what we're doing. For now, everything looks great for our Around The Bay Loop!

See you at Maygarden and Summit at 7am! And, I'll...

See you out on the road,
Bob