Full Moon Ride Cancelled!

The Full Moon Ride scheduled for tomorrow evening at Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach has been cancelled due to the road damage caused by the recent storm. However, we will still be riding Saturday morning at 7am leaving from Maygarden and Summit. We will be doing a bit longer version of the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop. This 45 miler will have plenty of hills, thrills and hopefully no spills!


Also, don't forget on Monday, Labor Day we will have a ride on the Pine Forest Loop or whatever the group may choose...afterall it is Labor Day. Come on out for one or both this Holiday weekend! You'll be glad you did!

See you out on the road,
Bob

Looks Like A Break In The Weather

Believe it or not, it looks as though we may have a few good days for riding this week! So, come on out for some good fun, comraderie and exercise. In case you forgot, here's this week's ride line up:

Tonight: The TERAD! Yessireee at 5:30pm leaving from our very corner of the world; Maygarden and Summit. Come on out for this 25 miler which usually has a pace anywhere from the high teens to absolutely ballistic!

Wednesday: WFW Hammerfest. This 25 miler leaves from WSRE Parking Lot and can have a pace that's above catergory! Launch time is 5pm!

Saturday: This week we meet at Fish and Wildlife at 7am for the group fave Lillian Loop! The pace will be moderate for this 50 mile route.

Choose one, two or all three, but whatever you do...get out and ride!!!

See you out on the road,
Bob

So, I Decided To Go For A Ride

This past Saturday saw the Firestone and Summit peloton trying out a new route, The Klondike Bar (B-Que). Most, gave it rave reviews, although some commented it was a bit too short at 40 miles. Regardless, it was a lot of fun to be out with the cast of unusual characters again, even though a few were missing. The weather held out for us with partly cloudy skies and no rain for the full length of this moderately hilly loop.

As we started down the road, the pace was easy as the boys seemed more interested in how the Market was fairing then getting some exercise. Once we turned onto Johnson however, Fishbone appeared to have had enough of the leisurely lifestyle and exchanged it for some moderate work at the front. Several followed and we were into 20s mph land for the first time this day. We meandered westward and onto Detroit where we always see some playfulness and today was no different. First, Tattoo Brett (Rabbit), then Fishbone and Circle K each took a turn at pulling the game group into Anaerobia. A left turn, then a right and we were onto this routes namesake for some really nice riding.

Across Mobile Hwy and the pace slowed a bit so we could regroup before the Hammerfest that is the Blue Angel Parkway. I think most everyone loves this road as long as their heading southwest, (uh...downhill). After the much needed rest stop we cruised along nice roads until popping out on Hwy 98. We took this east at an absolute ballistic pace with several of the bunch feeling their oats. In fact, if it wasn't Rabbit on the nose, it was Fishbone, Prenti, Crusher or Circle K. Even the Vortex mixed it up a bit. Never dropped below 28mph! Great fun!

Back through the Country Club and over Barrancas Bridge and home. Not sure who won the King Of Bridge (KOB) Award though as I wasn't there. However, I know that Fishbone, Circle K and Crusher were all throwing down as if they were in the Tour! What a bunch of characters.

After such a great ride on Saturday, I was really disappointed when the ride yesterday was cancelled because of rain. I really wanted to get out after feeling like I may finally be getting back to a level of fitness where I can ride up front again. No go though.  Then this morning awoke to downpours and soggy roads again. I kept one eye on the weather map however as I was getting some work done. Rain, rain, rain...but I really wanted to get in some miles. Looked like maybe a break in the clouds at 11am!

So, I decided to go for a ride...

Well, that was probably my first mistake. The second, was when I didn't turn back when it started sprinkling. The third mistake was stopping in front of that office to take cover from the liquid sunshine. Did I mention it was pouring water from the heavens like the dam had broke? Did I further mention, that the lady at the office seemed perturbed when I laughed after she asked, "Are you just seeking shelter from the rain?" (I very graciously replied in the affirmative while pointing at the skies.) I could tell that I must be making her and her coworkers nervous by standing on their front porch dressed in soaking wet skin tight clothing.

"Seriously?! I'm so sure I'm here to rob you dressed like this." Can you hear the call over the Police radio? The cops would crack up. "Yeah, he'll be hard to find in that costume!" Nevertheless, I decided to depart before having to explain myself to one of Pensacola's finest.  I mean, come on...I'm so sure I'm a threat to society while wearing a bright fluorescent orange rain vest! The whole purpose of the color is that you are seen. "Uh, yeah your Honor, we found him hiding in the bushes wearing this bright orange vest..."

I'm just sayin'.

See you out on the road,
Bob

Impromptu Ride Today

Yes cycling fans and those of you who may not have gotten enough miles yesterday, our own David "Bad Mayonnaise" Mayo is leading an easy to moderately paced ride this afternoon. Bad Mayo, (as he is affectionately called by the COUCs), says the 25 miler will leave from the corner of Blount and 19th streets in East Hill at 4:45pm. He's calling this route The Navy Point Loop. I'm just guessing here, but I think it probably heads towards Navy Point...I'm just sayin'.

Anyway, if it's not raining, we're riding! So, come on out!!! Should be a nice time for an easy spin.

See you out on the road,
Bob

New Route This Week

We are going to try a new loop this Saturday entitled The Blue Yukon or "What Would You Do For A Klondike Bar-B-Que?" We'll leave from the Maygarden and Summit Launch Pad at 7am for this 40-45 miler. The first few miles are on familiar roads as we make our way westward. This route has a moderate amount of climbing, at least for our area, and travels along mostly quiet roads. (at least early Saturday morning they're quiet). We'll have one rest stop right at the halfway point to fill the bottles and tell stories before heading for home. I think you will enjoy this ride...if nothing else, it's some new roads and scenery!

TERAD Report:

Not really much to report for this past Tuesday evening ride. The skies were so threatening that sober minds (uh, not the Left Lane kind) prevailed upon the peloton to change the loop to steer away from what appeared to be an absolute dumping soon to be! So, instead of the traditional Super Figure 8 Loop we opted for an abbreviated route which headed south (away from the storm) after charging through the Crit Loop. We had decided to go around the Bayou but upon starting down Cervantes the group voted for the right hander onto Perry to try and make it back home before the heavens opened up.

As we made it back onto Firestone the group was in good spirits knowing we had dodged the proverbial thunderstorm bullet. I believe all made it back without a drop of rain falling to dampen the ride. All told I had about 20 miles as I pulled into the garage. Good ride. Great group!

Hope to see everyone out this Saturday! Until then, I'll...

See you out on the road,
Bob

Well, If It Stops Raining...

I can't believe the luck, the one Tuesday I'm in town for several weeks and it's been raining! Dude, it sure would be fun to go for a ride on the TERAD Express this evening, even if my particular view will be from the back of the pack. You know the old proverb, "Unless you're the lead dog, the view never changes." Hmmm...I think in my case I'll follow several different wheels so the view will change a bit. (Can a couple of you guys wear bibs other than black?!) Thanks, that will help with my level of interest tonight. Boredom can be a terrible thing for a paceline enslaved cyclist. I'm just sayin'.

Well, if it stops raining, I will definitely be there on the Ti Lynskey. We're getting reacquainted. Nice bike. I haven't seen her in awhile. Not much personality but a real looker. In fact, this past Saturday we had a delayed start for our ride. (Rain, go figure) The roads were a bit soggy and the gunk that accompanies wet pave' was sure to be plentiful. In the garage, I passed up the Lynskey for the "Beater with a Heater", (uh, just a bike I don't mind getting trashed) and when I turned around with beater bike in hand, the Lynskey plopped over on the floor as if to say, "What am I, chopped liver? (She has a jealousy thing) I turned around, put beater back on rack, picked up Miss Whiney and headed out. Glad I did, sweet ride you know!

Anyway, I hope to see everyone out this evening, especially since many of you missed the abbreviated ride this past Saturday. It all starts at 5:30pm from our Maygarden and Summit launch pad. (No, there isn't an actual launch pad, it's a metaphor okay?! No more emails!) We'll do the Super Figure 8 course with the Crit Loop thrown in for some playful fun. All told about 25 miles. If you haven't been out lately and are concerned about keeping up with the beastly boys, don't worry about it! I'll be most likely heading up the Autobus at the back. Come on out, we'll tell stories about the guys up front!

See you out on the road,
Bob

Ride Postponed This Morning UPDATE!

We are going at 10am leaving from Maygarden and Summit! We'll do a 35 to 40 miler heading out to the north or northwest. If you haven't ridden yet, come on out!

Hope to see you then,
Bob


We have postponed our ride this morning until after this storm clears. Stay tuned for an updated ride announcement. Estimated departure: 9-9:30am. Later time, shorter ride!

See you out on the soggy roads (later),
Bob

"It Is Always Easier..."

Saturday's ride around the Twisted Pine Forest Loop was...check that; seems that sometime in the pre-dawn hours, the Bad Mayonnaise awoke with the Hammock on the brain. So, before we even had the first mile under our cycling belts he's lobbying the peloton for a route change. There we are, stopped in Roger Scott Park taking a vote. "All in favor of Twisted Pine Forest raise your hand." Let's see...3, no 4 hands go up. "Okay, all in favor of the Hurst Hammock route raise your hand." Hmmm...2, 3, ruh roh...it's a tie. Four for each route. Then finally, "Raise your hand if you don't care which route." More than a dozen hands went up. "Okay, Bad Mayo, nobody cares, let's just ride." And with that we were off to the Hurst Hammock!

The pace was very enjoyable as the group appeared more interested in conversation than hammering. Everyone seemed content with the moderate speed as we meandered our way westward. We had a dropped phone at a railroad crossing which slowed the group while we were on call waiting. Just as the phone along with it's rider returned to the peloton, we had a puncture in the back of the group. Everyone stopped as the flatted tire was changed out in record time. (I wonder what the record time for a roadside change is? Anyone know?) Now reinflated, we were once again on our way.

The pace always quickens a bit with the turn onto Mobile Hwy and Saturday was no different. The pack pretty much was together on the hills that usually separate the climbers from the rest of us.  However, no sooner do we make the left hand turn that leads down to the Hammock, then the first pedals are turned in anger. (so to speak). The pace jumps quickly into the mid 20s. About half way down this 4 mile road, (do the math) the peloton has made it's final selection as to who will stand atop the Hammock Sprint Podium this day. Crusher, Prenti, Happy, Retro, Nestordamus, Vortex and two, or was it three Young Jedis had the bit between the teeth as they hammered toward the Hurst Hammock Village Limits sign which is the finish line.

Crusher does his version of a suicide pull and then gives up the ghost, (thus why they call it a "suicide" pull). Prenti and a couple of Young Jedis take a turn as we near the One Kilometer to go banner. Somewhere in here Happy takes over and cranks it up a notch or two. As we come around the final curve that reveals the finish line, Retro jumps on it hard! Vortex is scrambling for his wheel when Happy slips into the charging Retro's draft. With less then 200 meters left in this day's attempt at Tour envy, the Vortex stomps on his (unbroken) pedals and passes Happy charging for the line! Retro senses the rush of wind (vortex) and cranks it into the ballistic zone. Vortex has left the (unhappy) Happy and has now pulled up alongside the speeding Retro and is half a length behind as they run out of real estate! Retro crosses the line in first with Vortex second and Happy a close third!

The entire group makes the turn around without incident and start the long ascent back out of the Hammock. "It is always easier to get into the hammock than it is to get out!" Once atop and cooling down at the much needed rest stop, the boys were recounting the days proceedings thus far...great fun! With the bottles filled we headed north on Beulah Road with a right hander onto Kingsfield. Really nice riding in this part of the county. We made our way east via Detroit and Johnson until back on familiar roads and finally onto Maygarden. This writer wasn't there for the final sprint, but heard that Nestordamus pulled out a dandy with Retro, Crusher and a few others contending for the prize. Great route, (thanks to that Bad Mayonnaise) on a great day with a great group of riders!

If you happened to miss it, don't fret yourself, we're doing it again this week! In fact, here's the lowdown on this week's rides:
Tuesday at 5:30pm at Maygarden and Summit for the TERAD.
Wednesday at 5pm at WSRE Parking Lot for the WFW Hammerfest.
Saturday at 7am at Fish and Wildlife.

Come on out and enjoy some exercise and good times with the Firestone and Summit Peloton! You'll be glad you did...

See you out on the road,
Bob