Legal Disclaimer:

Legal Disclaimer: Cycling is an inherently dangerous sport. The responsibility for each riders safety, fitness and the soundness of his or her bicycle lies solely with each rider. No effort has been made to insure the safety of the roads chosen by any member of the group, nor have the routes been screened for road or other hazards and may not be the safest route available. No effort has been made to ensure that riders in the group possess any degree of skill and/or judgment. By either continuing to read this blog or participating in a ride each rider agrees to waive and release any claims against fellow riders or the route organizers or the blog author on behalf of themselves and their heirs and assigns. This waiver and release of any claims includes claims based upon the negligence of said fellow riders, route organizers and blog author.


VIEW RIDES CALENDAR AT BOTTOM OF BLOG

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Around The Bay!...and other ramblings

Before I share with you a bit of color commentary authored by none other than our own El Left Lane, let's look at this weekend's rides, shall we?!

Saturday is the "Rite Of Spring Classic"; The Around The Bay Loop! This 65 miler (shorter route of 45 for those of us who haven't ridden much lately) has it all! It is always a group fave with flats, hills and the headwind beast itself, Gargoyle Point Bridge. As always we will have two rest stops to fill the bottles and tell the latest tales. This is a ride you will not want to miss...it's, uh...a classic!

Then Sunday we're off to Bayview Park for another stage in the Bad Mayo Series. He comes up with some very interesting, although somewhat convoluted routes. Always good fun and we usually finish up with a stop at the end of Palafox to take in the view...and tell more tales. (The COUCs are globally known for their antics and stories. It's what makes riding so much fun...just ask Coolio!) Anyway, the weather forecast is looking real good for both days, so come on out and get in some miles with the cast of unusual characters!

And to prove to you I'm not just whistling Dixie; here's some commentary from the Left Lane regarding last Sunday's Bad Mayo Ride:



Sunday ride recap:  Had 11 riders at the start!!



ANOTHER EPISODE OF THE SUNDAY TWISTED & CONVOLUTED BAD MAYO LOOP TO THE WEST SIDE



Another great edition of the Sunday Twisted and Convoluted Mayo Loop.  We had some additions to the usual cast of characters….Danimal joined the group saying it was a little too cold to sit on the yacht and knock back heinekens….Mayo’s better half Beverly joined (for a short while), Doug and his wife on a tandem, AeroJim Brittnel, and new guy Glenn joining us for the first time and maybe last whereas he would soon be going back to Iowa and doing his riding on a trainer staring at cinder block walls in his basement for another 2 months or so.  We are really lucky in Pensacola that we get some great weather even in the typically cold months. Rounding out the group were the usual suspects, Retro Dave, Bad Mayo, Johnny Bugno, Big Hoagie, and yours truly, The Left Lane.



Weather was actually very nice at around 50 degrees and wind was out of the Northwest so we rode out mostly into the wind and got an assist on the way back.  We  started off doing Mayo’s typical route out Jackson but when we hit Old Corry, word came to the front to stay on Jackson all the way out to 72nd Avenue.  We took a left on 72nd to 98 and then another left and headed to the Romp Through the Swamp on the Wooden Wonder.  Retro Dave kicked up the pace to around 25 down 98 all the way to the College where the group headed into the parking lot and we rolled over the side walks toward the bridge.  The Left Lane, trying to not be behind the Mayo Wagon on the bridge tried to accelerate and get around just before the bridge and as I kicked it up and went right around Johnny I hit a speed bump on a bit of an angle and almost went down and about got denutted (nada pelota) by my seat.  I meekly got back in line and from here on out I will be writing in a voice about 2 Octaves higher!!



The ride over the bridge was fun as usual and without incident.  We continued on behind the shopping center to Patton Drive where Retro & Glenn did most of the work as we headed to the approaches to the Fried Twinkie.  The group favorite lead up and sprint would be fun this day as we turned onto the course with the wind somewhat favorable.  Johnny went to the front and pulled the first half before giving way to Glenn.  Another first timer leading us to the sprint that he isn’t even aware of ….perfect for the peloton regulars!! 



Around 400 yards from the first turn in to the bridge, the Danimal exploded off the front gaining around a 20 yard advantage over Glenn with the Left Lane hanging on as well and the others falling back.  Dana seeing the upcoming right hander at the stop sign, and dreaming of many future heinkens on the yacht and the next new episode of “Say Yes To the Dress” watching with Mrs Dana slowed down and as when asked later by the Left Lane what happened said something to the effect that “going through a right hander at the stop sign at 25 mph” was not necessarily high up there on his list of things to do this Sunday.  Well that little bit of a slow down was all the Left Lane needed to blow past Dana and Glenn who wasn’t sure what was going on and to run unfettered to victory for the greasy fried treat (the crowd going wild of course!!).



The Barrancas bridge was pretty much a nonevent with most of us taking the short cut out to the Bridge and Dana leading the  Hoagie, Glenn, and Brittnell the long way.  Us short riders got to the top and waited for the rest and only saw Danamal storming up the bridge toward us.  Apparently Jim headed home on the west side and I believe Glenn as well with Hoagie out of site at this time. 



The wind was most favorable as we headed home down Main Street including a trip around the new Ball Park then to Bayfront where Danamal went to the front and inflicted serious pain/spanking, kicking it up to the mid 20s as we turned into a strong crosswind and leading the group to the debriefing in Ritchie’s parking lot. 



Another great Sunday ride in the books whereupon the Hoagie and I headed up to Manor De Leftus Laneus for our Yuengling debriefing with the remainder of the Peloton even Johnny Bugno (who has been off the beer for a while and tipping the scales at 15lbs lighter) turning down a seat on the steps of the Manor.  Oh well more for The Left Lane and The Hoagie!!!

See, I told you so...these guys are wacko! But really fun to ride with. However, don't take my word for it, come on out this weekend and see for your own bad self. Great routes, great weather, great group equals just an okay time...NOT! You'll be glad you did! Hey, for all the details, check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogazoidal. It's updated through Memorial Day weekend.

See you out on the road,
Bob 

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