A Hill Too Far

For those of you who missed the ride this morning, you really missed it! The weather was absolutely fantastic and we had a great group for what turned out to be an epic ride. The ride, as you may know started from Maygarden and Summit at 7am and was supposed to be the Twisted Pine Forest Loop. However, once the group had formed at the launch pad, the Vortex throws out a suggestion for a different route. Although, still passes by Pine Forest, just misses out on some of the initial serpentine roads through the neighborhoods on the way there. After a short Q and A session, the unanimous decision was to try the new route. So off we go...

First we head north on Spanish Trail, then jog around to west on Johnson. We follow Johnson all the way to a right hander onto Chemstrand and a lefty on 10 Mile. Just before Hwy 29 we turn right and head north on 95A which we follow all the way to the rest stop in the quaint little burg of Molino. (tongue and cheek intended) Now, so far the young Jedis have maintained a very manageable pace at the front. Nate the Skate, Ashley "Hammeraker" Amaker, Rabbit Brett and Arkansas Michael took turns pulling along with The Prenti, Johnny Bugno and the Vortex. We generally were cruising along at 19-20mph...everyone seemed happy.

After the rest stop, we crossed Hwy 29 and took a quick left hander onto Crab Tree and then another left and another left...at least I think that's what we did. Actually had to stop at one intersection to determine which direction to take. You see, the young Jedis had gotten ahead of the main peloton after a couple of uphill sections and had turned left. The rest of us, who came to the same stop sign about 2 minutes later, looked at each other as if to say, "Uh, I'm not sure that's the way home..." In fact, after viewing Johnny's Iphone app, we determined the correct way home was to the right. So we parted ways, although I'm sure the Jedis didn't realize it until several miles later.

Did I mention that the roads in that part of the County are absolutely delightful?! Our smaller peloton rolled along some of the nicest roads this rider has seen in this part of the country. We passed by a small school called Barrineau Park and shortly thereafter we entered the hills! They came one after another like waves in the ocean...uh, I'm talking big waves here! Yes, the hills were angry today my friends, like an old woman looking for boxes at the checkout line in Sam's Club! (I know this is a metaphor, but I actually witnessed this one day too.) The first hill the Clydesdale had a bit of difficulty but stayed with the main group. However, after another 3 or 4 (actually stopped counting) the big kahuna was off the back and singing to himself Stevie Wonder's "Slippin' out the back door..." Of course the words were changed to accommodate the situation. Great song, by the way, if you ever get dropped off the back. Good beat, kinda fun to make up words to and helps the miles pass. Especially if you are the only Clydesdale in the peloton on a hilly route. I'm just sayin'!

Well my friends, it was a hill too far. Really, it was probably several hills too far. But what a fantastic ride! And the route was one of the best I have ever ridden in this area. I had just under 70 miles as I pulled into the garage.

For those of you interested, tomorrow afternoon's ride from Bayview Park at 3pm will definitely be an easy spin! And with no hills...

See you out on the road,
Bob