What a great weekend of riding! Just about perfect weather and a variety of routes that made even the most discriminating cyclist salivate. Friday we tried to re-implement the Fox's Friday Frolic. However, the re-implementer didn't show for the re-implementation so we never re-implemented the Triple F re-implementation. I won't badmouth the no show re-implementer here but I'm sure you can guess as to the cause of the non-re-implementation.
Saturday saw the peloton heading out under sunny skies for a bit of a romp on the Pine Forest Loop. The pace initially was very subdued as the gang was more concerned with socializing than getting to the work at hand. We even were stopped by a train crossing and didn't seem to bother anyone as they continued to converse about the price of tea in China...or was it India. Regardless, after the train completely stopped, we decided to reroute around and back to live action. The early going was pretty much led by the Vortex as nobody else has his uncanny sense of route finding, with the exception of maybe Gianni Bugno. Before you know it we were onto Massachusetts and suddenly the group seemed interested in a Hammerfest. The pace literally went from high teens to high 20s within seconds and we were off and running.
Big Jim Britnell was the initial instigator with Ashley Serious Shebeast, (hmmm...bad acronym. Maybe we'll change that?!), taking over the responsibilities at the front and put some serious hurt on a few of the, shall we say, more elder riders who need a bit more warmup to get the heart rate up. However, all were back together under a moderate pace within a couple miles. We cruised along at about 20mph until we acrossed back over Mobile Hwy where Nathan Bomb took the bit between the teeth. A few others followed but only NB knew where today's route turns. So, NB turned left and the rest of the would be breakaway went straight. This little hiccup gave a few, namely Circle K, Happy, Nathan Bomb and the Vortex, an idea! They had a gap and the race was on!
These four bandits worked together as they passed under the 5k to go banner to the rest stop. They kept a pace in the low to mid 20s mph to make it as difficult as possible for the bigger (stronger) chase group to latch on. They were working well together and had a gap of 300 meters or so, when suddenly a cyclist emerges from a road to the right. ("Who is that guy?") From all indications it appeared to be either Retro or Nestordamus. With less than 4k to the line and this new problem ahead by 400 meters or so, the alarm bells were ringing. Just then Nathan Bomb bailed and now we have three chasers followed by the peloton with more horsepower than the Kentucky Derby! (Well...maybe a slight exaggeration, but I should have some literary license here, right?!) The three were bound and determined to catch the one and the group were bound and determined to catch the three!
The three headed onto Interstate Circle and under the 2k to go banner. They had closed the gap on Mr. Breakaway ("Who is that guy?") down to a mere 50 meters. The Vortex warned the other two not to make the catch too soon but Circle K had him in his sights and was drawing down a bead. With just under one kilometer to go, Vortex, Circle K and Happy pull up to the lone rider ("Who is that guy?") and are shocked to discover it's not Retro or Nestordamus! In fact, they're not sure who is that guy?! Just then, as though he was taking advantage of the moment of confusion, Happy launches a vicious attack. Circle K looks at Vortex as if to say, "You going?" Vortex was waiting on Circle K to counterattack. As the two nincompoops were capitulating, Happy is gaining a gap of 50 meters. By the time they decided to chase, Happy had the gap that was insurmountable with less than 500 meters to the line. Happy easily won the sprint with Vortex second and Circle K third.
However, as we were finishing up our Twisted Pine Forest Loop later in the day, the tide had changed. We were hammering down Langley with Christian, Circle K, Ashley and a few others keeping the pace high. As we made the right hander onto Spanish, Ashley took control and started turning those pedals with a bit of purpose. She continued dishing out the pain onto Maygarden as well. She actually appeared to be enjoying it! We rounded the last curve and started down the long straightaway with one kilometer to go. Ashley, Christian, Circle K, Happy, Vortex, Nestordamus and a few others were in the mid 20s mph as we started into the final "S" turn. Just then with 500 meters to go, Circle K pulls a move reminiscent of Happy's a couple hours earlier! CK cranked it up, daring anyone foolish enough to chase him this far from the line. With just under 300 meters, Happy launches a counterattack to try and bring back the slowing CK who was thinking maybe this is "A Bridge Too Far".
With 200 meters the Vortex attacks looking for revenge for the earlier antics of Interstate Circle. These three, who also had been comrades earlier were now locked in mortal combat in the last 200 meters! (I just love this kind of stuff!) Happy drew ever closer to Circle K as Vortex drew ever closer to Happy. The fans were going absolutely ballistic! One hundred meters left, it was desperately close, but CK called down to the engine room for more power and the pistons gave him just enough to get across the line with Happy and the Vortex finishing a close second and third! Great finish to a great ride and great fun!
Congrats to Happy and Circle K for their victories! And to Ashley who was awarded the Big Pull Bull Award for her awesome pull down Maygarden. Hey, wait a minute...this award can't be a Bull award as she is a she...beast! It has to be a Big Pull...uh, what's the female version of bull? Cow?! Wait a minute...
I'm not so sure Ashley would consider it an honor to accept the Big Pull Cow Award! (Sounds like an award for getting the most milk.) Must be another award we can give her?! Any ideas?
She certainly deserves it, that SheBeast! She needs a nickname too...
Monday, saw the return of the Sprint Royale at the Hammock! It was beastly with speeds topping out in the high 30s mph! It also saw the return of Count Fishbone to the peloton!
If you missed the antics, don't fret yourself, we're riding again tonight on the TERAD! It all starts at 5:30pm leaving from the Maygarden and Summit launchpad! You're not going to want to miss this ride!
See you out on the road,
Bob
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