The Return Of The Sprint Royale!

I received many emails requesting, (begging) for a recap of the day's events for this past Monday. A few were wondering what exactly is the Sprint Royale. Therefore, going against my better judgement of blogulating two days in a row, but knowing the fans want more, it was decided, (after much heated debate, mind you...if only with myself) to file this commentary of the Hammock ride this past Memorial Day.

Monday was a near perfect day for a ride in the Hammock. The weather was great and the roads very quiet early in the morning as the group rolled out from Maygarden and Summit. You would never know from the first few miles that this was to be a difficult day in the saddle for almost all in the peloton. The group stayed together until Mobile Hwy where that Bad Mayonnaise cruised through a red light trying to gain an advantage before the next uphill section. (I know we shouldn't be running red lights, but you can hardly blame the boy when you discover he's riding a machine that weighs in at more than twice what the rest of us are riding. And he's pedaling it with his arms! The man is an animal!) However, the others that followed suit should be firmly admonished!

The peloton began to splinter somewhat as we took on the hills along Mobile Hwy heading for Randy "Ranoldo" Riche's favorite town; Beulah. We regrouped at the left hander that goes down into the Hammock and the task at hand began glaringly clear. The Hammock for those of you unawares, is a little village of maybe 50 or so residents. It's legal name is Hurst Hammock. From the turn at the four way stop, it is just under 4 miles of gentle downslope, (1-3% gradient) all the way to the village sign and our finish line for the Hammock Sprint. Over the years this has become one of our favorite rides as there is virtually no traffic as we line up for the Sprint Royale. In the past, some of the big names of the peloton have used all kinds of tactics to gain the slightest of advantage to stand atop the Hammock Podium. Names like; Crusher, Gianni Bugno, Retro, Vortex, and Prenti to name a few, have all come away with wins...none two times in a row. It is, in fact, one of the most difficult sprints to judge as there are so many curves that appear the same and the road is heavily wooded. Once the last curve is rounded and the finish line comes into view, there are a mere 150 meters to make your move. Classic sprint!

Well, within seconds of making the turn at the top, Prenti and the Bad Mayo surged ahead gaining a gap of 70 to 80 meters. The race was on! Big Hoagie, Ashley, Retro, Nate, Fishbone and others began to assemble the posse for the chase. The pace was in the mid 20s mph. You see, that Bad Mayo has difficulty going uphill, but he has a distinct dominance, (DD) when the road slopes downward. He and the Prenti were proving a little tough to catch. However, after several hard pulls by the powers that be, the peloton latched onto their draft and the pace eased.

Just then, in a classic move, Nate the Great stomped on a vicious attack that proved to be a good move as the peloton was catching it's breath. He gained an almost immediate gap of 50 to 60 meters before the alarm bells went off in the group. Once again, the group went from spread across the road to one narrow line with speeds in the mid to upper 20s! Nate held a gap of 70 meters or so for quite a while before he was reeled in and back in the fold. Again, the pace slowed to low 20s as the group looked to recover. But, before there was any thought of refreshing oneself, Fishbone launches a cheeky move with Nate on his wheel! This one caught the peloton sleeping and the two bandits looked to have the coop of the day. However, several of the would be sprinters awakened from their slumber and the chase was on. The two proved worthy opponents to the chasers as the line was less than 2k away. Just as they passed under the 1k to go banner, all were back together and under a full head of steam! No one would be able to attack this train again as the speeds approached the low 30s!

With 400 meters to go, Retro launches an attack! It appeared he had the move of the day as no one looked to go with him. Was it still too far out? Where was the final curve? He was accelerating and gaining a small gap of 20 meters when the Vortex decided to go as well. He pulled up to his wheel just as the finish line came into view. Happy had made the move with Vortex too. At 150 meters to the line, Vortex jumps hard just as Retro is lighting the afterburners! Happy is right on the Vortex's wheel as the three have less than 100 meters to go! Vortex, with eyes blurred and stompin on his (hopefully sound) pedals is now half a wheel ahead of Retro who is charging hard. Happy is still in the draft and trying to go around with 50 meters left. They cross the line in a Sprint Royale with less than meters between them as Vortex gets the Hammock Trophy with Happy second and Retro a close third! The fans were going absolutely wild!

The group cruised back out of the Hammock about half the speed that they went in. (It's much easier to get into the Hammock than it is to get out!) After a much needed rest stop the road home was fun and uneventful. All told 55 miles as we finished on Maygarden. Great ride for a great day!

If you missed it, that's okay, we're riding again tonight! Meet us for the West Florida Wheelmen ride at 5pm leaving from the WSRE parking lot. This ride is about 25 miles and usually has a moderate to very fast pace on a somewhat hilly route. Come on out! Until then, I'll...

See you out on the road,
Bob

What A Weekend That Was!

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

A Memorial Weekend Full Of Rides!

Before we get to the perspective from Left Lane, I wanted to take a second to look at the rides scheduled this Memorial Day weekend. Tomorrow morning we have two rides, one in Pensacola and the other in Milton. If you have the time, the Blackwater ride is always fun and well attended. It starts at 7:30am behind Truly Spokin' in Milton. If you are wanting to ride closer to town, our ride starts at 7am at Maygarden and Summit. We are doing the Pine Forest Loop with a Twist!

Sunday, try the West Florida Wheelmen ride leaving from the Bagel Heads on Gregory at 8am. Or, if not how about a afternoon jaunt with our group at 2:30pm at Firestone and Summit. The morning ride is moderate to fast and the afternoon ride has an easy to moderate pace.

Then on Memorial Day we have a ride scheduled for 7am starting at Maygarden and Summit. We are taking a ride in The Hammock! This 50 miler will have a moderate pace. Wear the colors in honor of Memorial Day!
No matter what...get out and ride!!!

Now, here's the view from the Left Lane:

We’ve had some great rides in the past week

Saturday Ride:  Great turnout even though perennial Peloton Favorites, Vortex, Foxinator, Bugno, Danimal, and Big Motor were not in attendance.  Had around 15 riders for the Lillian Loop including many of the usual suspects….Happy, Prenti, Retro Dave, Bad Mayo, Woody & Carol Ann, Nestordamus, Circle K, RocDoc, Nate, The Left Lane,  Wheelmen regulars, Brett & Dave (another Dave…must be Dave 6 or 7!!), a new rider Gary who is recovering from running injuries on his bike and more I think…can’t remember all the rides are starting to run together and writing this several days after the ride challenges the Left Lane’s memory.

We had a pretty uneventful ride out Jackson St. with a favorable wind with WheelGuys Brett and Dave slamming it off the front then having to wait up for us Humans at the turns.  As we trekked down 98 toward Lillian we had a group get caught by a light and most of us sitting up to wait and  Brett and Dave heading off into the distance toward the bridge and the first stop.  Anyway the rest of us regrouped with Happy leading the way up the Bridge with Prentis, Left Lane and a couple of others cresting the bridge in the 20mph range.  Happy slammed it going down the hill but The Rule is if you can’t shake the Clydesdale going up the bridge he will take you on the downhill and Left Lane nipped happy at the Alabama sign hitting around 35mph to take the Human Division Sprint Points but of course Brett & Dave were already on their second Newtons as the Humans rode into the break!!

The Lillian Loop was fun as usual with the blast down the long straight with Brett & Circle K doing most of the work.  The Peloton broke up on the Hilly section coming back to the bridge as some waited for stragglers after the Hammerfest and we all regrouped at the Bridge and carried on to the last break of the day a Bauer Road.

We decided to ride straight back on 98 and it was a Hammerfest with exploding starts…leaving Roc Doc and Circle K who got out of the break slowly to miss the wheel and ride home together behind the peloton.  We need to do something about these exploding starts at all the stoplights when we come back this way!!! Brett did most of the work all the way to Navy Blvd with the peloton staying together for the most part and opting to turn in to the Country Club to slow it down and take it easy coming home.  At this time the ride average was around 19.4 mph and I finished with around 50 miles at 18.6 after we slowed down coming in.  Great Ride as usual.  Several of us discussed riding with the Wheelmen Sunday Morning.

Sunday Ride:  Well this week The Left Lane was on a personal quest to go over 200 miles for the week so having 180 miles after the Saturday F&S ride I figured I would go Sunday on the Wheelmen ride to Perdido/Innerarity.  I figured if I forced myself to get up early and go I would get my 200 miles this week unlike the week before when I needed 30 on Sunday but could never motivate to get out on the bike.

Several riders Saturday had said they would go as well but only Happy, Big Motor and The Left Lane showed up.  The WheelGuys had around 30 total riders show up and we headed off toward Perdido.  Great ride out to Perdido with the pace building as we got onto Gulf Beach Highway …low to mid 20’s past the Dub Blum Bridge then building as we neared Innerarity.  Happy told me Tuesday that his Garmin said we averaged around 26.5mph over the last 4 miles out to Innerarity.

I held on, but was pretty toasted and knew there would be no holding onto the peloton up the Intercoastal Bridge for the Left Lane so I gladly headed toward Innerarity with Happy when he turned off as well.  Big Motor of course followed the Wheelmen…I asked Keith Tuesday how his ride was the rest of the way and he said …”well, fine as long as I had them in my sight”.  Keith had lost the wheel up the bridge and that was that and he had to ride solo until he caught back up with them at a break.

Happy and I trekked through Innerarity with one of the Wheelmen who dropped off to head to his nearby home as we got back to the traffic light and Happy and I headed home in 2 man mode…for a while.  Well Happy always pushing it hard was running in the 19-20 range into the wind and the Left Lane was down to his 17-18mph legs and all the miles for the week were taking their toll.  So the Left Lane told Happy to go on and we separated and continued at our own paces.  Ended up with 45 miles at 18.5 average for the day and 225 miles for the week…mission accomplished!!

 TERAD Tuesday:  Had a great turnout for the TERAD.  I think this is the most fun ride every week for the camaraderie, antics, and of course the scintillating sprint at the end down Maygarden.  We seem to have new riders show up every week who have heard through their LBS or the Blog about this great weekly event.

Had several new riders this week with 3 young ladies joining for the first time….Lindsey, Courtney, and Ashley who piped up that she was new as well….whereupon I said no,no,no you’re not knew….remembering the HineyKicking (can I say that on the Blog?) she had given the Peloton around a month ago on an earlier trip out toward Lillian. She said “new to this ride”…OK.  Also Christian joined us for the first time. Usual attendees included Fast Eddie Lawnchair and his sibling Fast Troy Lawnchair, Murphy, Hurt Burt, Big Motor, Happy, Bad Mayo, Retro Dave, the return of Johnny Bugno, Big Hoagie, Prentis, Lawman Dave Carroll, Nestordamus, Nate, Bryan and more.

Pace was reasonable till halfway up the first trip on Langley whereupon here come the Lawnchair boys blasting past the peloton like we were standing still.  Man those guys are fast when they slam it down.  The rest of the boys led by Murphy chased and reeled them in by Spanish Trail topping out in the 30mph range as the Peloton came back together at the light.

We headed for the Crit course with everyone playing dumb as to the course so the Left Lane went to the front and led the group most of the way through the crit at a reasonable pace.  Nothing like last year when the Vortex would typically take the lead and slam it through this part of the ride.  We continued across 9^th and had the usual hammerfests down the long straight and on Burgess and headed to Langley for the second time.  No attemptted breakaways for the Left Lane this day and I joked to Big Motor Keith that I was saving it up for the real race….the hammerfest on Scenic Highway back to town after the Maygarden Sprint!!

Bad Mayo requested a parade pace up to PensaCourt and dadgum if the group didn’t abide!!  But once we passed the club, who let the Dawgs Out and the race was on with the peloton once again hitting 30mph as we headed to Spanish.  Fast Troy had a small gap after rounding the corner and the Left Lane always looking for an angle (a faster wheel to latch onto!!) slammed it around the corner and started drafting the LawnChair toward Maygarden.  Figured I would hang with Troy if he tried to stay out front but he pulled up at Maygarden even though we had at least a 100 yard gap so the Left Lane made a lame attempt at a break for a half mile or so but wind was in the face and was quickly reeled in by the Peloton. 

Well I missed the wheel as the group went by so the rest of my story is second hand.  Finishing order I believe has it that Murphy took the prize (as usual) with Fast Troy LawnChair second and Retro Dave and Nestordamus a close 3rd & 4^th.  Rumor has it that  Newcomer Ashley was cutoff/shunted as she contended for the prize but said that was just racing when we talked at the end of the Wheelmen ride Wednesday as I was trying to get the lowdown and spice up the Blog with a little controversy/rivalry!!! 

Anyway it was good to have Ashley along for the ride and the other newcomers.  Now the way Ashley rides we have to come up with an appropriate nickname for her…She can’t be and Ashley…because I remember from when I took my daughter Kate down to start school at Florida and as we were carrying in her stuff to her new apartment her saying something about all of the Ashleys….apparently this was a somewhat derogatory term used to describe all the other girls who were moving in with their perfect hair/perfect sundresses/perfect cars etc….in a word AHLEYS!!.   Anyway so I will propose She Aint No Ashley (Sheana!!). After seconds the nickname will be submitted to the appropriate committee (The Vortex) for final determination and inclusion in the list of F&S nicknames.

Well after the usual braggadoccio at the end of Maygarden….the real ride began with quite a group heading down Scenic Highway back to town.  Bryan, Big Motor, Left Lane, Big Hoagie, & Retro slammed it home running in the 23mph range into around a 12mph wind.  Everyone took turns pulling with Keith doing 2 turns including the final down the hill to the Cervantes Bridge.   Well The Left Lane was feeling frisky today and thought he had a chance to take it to the Big Motor on the uphill and kicked it into a bigger gear and blew by the Big Motor and the others with the crest of the hill in site thinking finally … the Left Lane would take this prize when around 40 yards from the top here comes the Big Hoagie to spank the Left Lane’s Butt as we neared the top!!  Oh well…one of these days!!

To get even, I made Hoagie buy the beer and we repaired to the Front Porch of anor de Left Lane for the after ride debriefing (Yeunglings!!).

That’s my story & I’m sticking 2it. 

Thanks Left Lane for the color commentary! See everyone tomorrow and throughout the weekend! And, as always I'll...

See you out on the road,
Bob

A Little TERAD Will Do Ya...And Other Offerings

Oh yeah baby, tonight is TERAD night! Every cyclist's favorite night of the week...or Wednesday. Depends if you like hills or not?! Regardless, we are very fortunate to live in an area with a strong cycling community that has several organized rides each week, throughout the year! Think of it, you could ride in an organized group, (some less than others) 7 times each week! That's fantastic! I once lived in an part of the country where we were lucky to have one ride a week...and that was in the summer months only! Forget the winter, you wouldn't see another cyclist for 7 to 8 months! Not here, we have a fantastic year round cycling climate and many great places to ride with other riders. Places like, the Beach Road, Blackwater, Lillian Loop, The Hammock, Perdido Key, Around the Bay, Fort Pickens, UDub/Scenic Hills, Around the Sound and Innerarity Point to name a few. Just take your pick:

Sunday- 8am West Florida Wheelmen at Bagel Heads; 2:30pm Firestone and Summit
Tuesday- 5:30pm Maygarden and Summit for the TERAD
Wednesday- 5pm WFW Hammerfest at WSRE
Thursday- 6pm Ellyson Park for Crit Loop
Saturday- 7am Maygarden and Summit; 7:30am Blackwater in Milton

And that doesn't even include special days like holidays! Speaking of, we have a ride this Monday, (Memorial Day) as well, making this an 8 ride week! Dude...

Well, it doesn't matter which one(s) you choose, just get out and ride!!! Check out the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogification if you need any more information. And I'll...

See you out on the road,
Bob

Big TERAD Tonight!

Tonight is our big TERAD ride! As most of you know, it all starts at Maygarden and Summit at 5:30pm sharp...not! However, we do try to start shortly thereafter. Tonight, in the spirit of the Tour of California, I'm sure there will be plenty of peloton antics as well as a sprint royale along Maygarden. Several of the big sprinters will be out tonight including, Retro, Twin Six, 3P, Hurt Locker, Prenti and Crusher as well as a few breakaway hopefuls like Big Motor, Left Lane, Prenti and Gianni Bugno. Sadly, Count Fishbone is in Clearwater until Friday. He's always good for a few antics. (Not to mention the Vortex back from his climbing camp in Bad Mother Clucker land. You never know what shenanigans he's got up his sleeve!) All said, tonight should be one for the books! Come on out!!! Word on the street is we may even have a Norton's siting.

Now, if you can't make it out tonight, don't cry in your soup. (There's no crying in cycling!) Rather, try tomorrow night at 5pm at WSRE for the WFW Hammerfest. Or perhaps, ride both! Get in the flatter terrain with a sprint at the end tonight and a hillier ride tomorrow night. Sweet! One way or the other, get out and ride!

See you, (in a few hours), out on the road,
Bob

Around The Sound And Some TERAD!

Before I get to the Left Lane's color commentary from this week's TERAD, let's take a quick peek at tomorrow's Around The Sound Loop. We're meeting at Fish and Wildlife at 7am and will leave shortly thereafter for Gulf Breeze via 3 Mile Bridge. If the bridge makes you a bit queasy, then meet us at the south end about 15 minutes later than start time. We'll then, en mass, loop through Proper and head for Soundside under a moderate pace. We'll maintain this pace until the first rest stop. After the rest stop, we'll continue towards Navarre and over the Navarre Beach Bridge for our next rest stop at the corner of the beach road. I'm sure that this section would have seen the peloton break into two basic groups.

After the second rest stop, all bets are off as the dogs will be running at full speed until Pensacola Beach. The beach road is always a Hammerfest if not a Sufferfest for some and tomorrow will be no different as the forecast calls for the much coveted Tailwind Express! Yes cycling fans, we will have anywhere from a 10 to 15 mph wind out of the east southeast!!! Can you say, Slamma Jamma!!! Oh yeah baby, if you like to go fast on a flat road, then tomorrow morning's ride is definitely for you! Come on somebody!

As you see the Portofino Towers approaching fast in your windshield, you may want to ease back on the hammer. Why? Because our own David, "Bad Mayonnaise" Mayo has invited everyone for a breakfast as his palatial Bad Mayo Estate; aka Portofino! Pull in for the festivities before the soft pedal on home. (Trust me on this one: Beverly is doing the cooking and is a fantastic chef! With a name like Bad Mayonnaise we couldn't let David in the kitchen.) Should be a wonderful finish to top off a great ride, come on out! RSVP to David. Thanks!

Now for the Left Lane's take on this week's TERAD! Take it away Left Lane:

TERAD Tuesday is once again upon us. The Vortex/Bolginator in Chief being mired in the heat & dust of Mother Clucking Phoenix the Left Lane has again been called upon to Bloginate.  Vortex assured me that he has been putting in some miles out in the Phoenix area and will be back for the group ride Saturday of the Group Favorite “Around the Sound Loop” and hopefully back to his blogging duties as well since I tend to get a little stale after three weeks running of documenting the TERAD antics.

Good turnout again this week with around  15 riders.  Riding were, Crusher Fox,  Retro Dave, Bad Mayo,  Prentii TO, Scott Hurt Locker Burt, Nate, Nestordamus, Bryan, Big Hoagie, Coolio in his magic glass slippers blue shoes, the return of the Murphinator, The Count of Monte Fishbone, Fast Eddie LawnChair, Chung,  yours truly, The Left Lane and more.

Weather conditions were near perfect with a little SW wind but not too strong.  But it would be mostly in our face for the final run down Maygarden.   We started out with Left Lane leading us out and then Prenti pulling down 12^th avenenue  to Langley.  The group was cruising at a fairly sedate 23 mph down Langley when the Chunginator went to the front and kicked it up into the upper 20’s down to Spanish Trail.  Looked like it was going to be another Hammerfest of a TERAD.   We headed for the Crit with Fox in the lead.  Fox decreed that the whole group was going to take the same route this week instead of splitting down three different roads and almost converging in a bad way as we came back together last week.   Left Lane complained that this was America and he would go whichever way he wanted but what the hell , towed the line and stuck with the old track over the speed bumps…Ouch (could the Left Lane be mellowing in his old age….NaaaHHH)!!   Pace was quite slow until we hit Scenic Highway and headed back toward Spanish Trail with the boys hammering up into the upper 20’s until we ran into some oncoming traffic which slowed us down on the final leg of the crit. 

Group hammered it down the long straight heading to the Creighton Crossing where the Left Lane took the uncontested city limit sign sprint.  Points are Points!!  But no one came along so no breakaway was in the cards today.  At least not yet.  We noodled through the hood and upon hitting Burgess,  Fast Eddie LawnChair (FELC) blasted to the front with Nate and Left Lane on his wheel and the rest of the Peloton content to hang back.  Left Lane realized the FELCs pace was nuts and fell back to rejoin the peloton with everyone pretty much back together as we hit the end of Burgess.  Well the Left Lane, still steaming over the aborted (Mayo’s Mythical Yellow Corvette Benefactor incident) breakaway of the prior TERAD, rode hard toward Langley and built up a little lead as the peloton went into after hammer noodle.  Once again perfect timing at the light put the Left Lane at the light at 12^th Avenue with the peloton stuck at the light at 9^th Avenue. 

Did not know if I had the legs for a break today (with the 1/3 mile gap the lights would give me) but you just have to try.  Either give the boys  something to chase and maybe hold on for a TERAD win or get spanked by a hard charging peloton somewhere along Maygarden (usually the case).    I put my nose down and went into the drops and just as I headed toward the runway there was Bad Mayo and his cohort Retro Dave dealing with a flat.  Well, typically this near the end of the ride there is no stopping for a flatted rider so I pounded it on trying to build a gap.  The Left Lane entered his “Own Private Idaho” of pain, assuming the Peloton was in Hot Pursuit,  not looking back until he was around the Air Terminal.  Finally looking back I did not see the Peloton in pursuit but nonetheless hammered as hard as I could all the way to the finish.  The crowd was going wild…not. 

Well I sat at the finish recovering and waiting to congratulate the next rider on a fine second place but after around 5 minutes realized something was up with the peloton.  Started riding back and finally around 1/3 of the way back here comes the hard charging group of riders finally toward the finish.  I turned around  but did not see the finish but I believe Murphinator took the prize with FastEddieLawnChair, Hurt Burt, and Bryan in close pursuit.

Another fantastic TERAD was in the Books.  And at least, in the absence of The Big Motor Keith, I would not have to bust my hump down Scenic Highway on the ride home.

Yes Hoagie and I once again repaired to the Manor De Left Lane front porch for after ride refreshments but I won’t bore you with our discussions political and otherwise of this day.  But I did want to mention that when I stopped by my favorite LBS this week, Cycle Sports, the purveyor of all things cycling Brian “Stoned” Stone and I entered into a little wager on the upcoming monumental election this November.  The wager…a case of beer of course!!  I don’t think I need to say who picked who…suffice it to say I may be the LEFT Lane but … Anyway,  make sure you get into a political discussion with The Stoned next time you drop by the shop and see if you can get in on some of the action….Can you say Sucker Bet??... I think you can!!

That’s my story and I’m sticking tooit.

As always, great report Left Lane. See you and everyone out in the morning for the Around The Sound Loop! Or, Bad Mayo's Breakfast Run! Either one it will be a blast!

See you out on the road,
Bob

Cinco de "Bad Mayo"

Tomorrow morning we will do our own version of Cinco de Mayo. Since we have our own group favorite charioteer, Bad Mayonnaise, we have advertised the group ride as "Cinco de Bad Mayo honoring our dear brother David as well as celebrating our brethren to the south of the border. Why not?!

Therefore, we have left the route selection up to the Bad Mayonnaise himself. I know what you're thinking; "Here we go to Fort Pickens or a parking garage downtown." No, I have delightful news for you naysayers and prophets of gloom. (No reflection on Left Lane from last week's TERAD.) The Bad Mayo has decided on the Jack Bauer Loop! We will start at Fish and Wildlife at 7am and cruise down Jackson St, Lillian Hwy, Bauer Rd, Gulf Beach Hwy and back. (For those of you interested, there will be the infamous Fried Twinkie Sprint contested.) Should be a great way to start your Cinco de (Bad) Mayo celebration! Come on out!

Also, tomorrow marks the beginning of the Super Full Moon cycle (uh, that's Lunar Cycle not Bi-cycle) as declared by meteorologists around the country. This means that our Full Moon Ride tomorrow evening on the beach will be even better!!! That's right, the full moon will be fuller and brighter than normal! Up to 30% more depending on your region of the country. That means our ride will be more funner by up to 30% depending on your region in the peloton! What could be better?! (Except maybe Left Lanes Libations after the ride! Come on out for a fantastic evening at the Beach! It all starts at 7pm at the Casino Beach parking lot. We then ride to Fort Pickens as the sun is setting. (Sun sets at 7:31pm tomorrow) We stop at the docks for "the pause that refreshes" as well as regroup. Then it is back to Casino Beach for what will no doubt be one of the most beautiful rides in our country! (And we live here!) Moon rise is at 7:20 pm tomorrow night and should be spectacular over the Gulf of Mexico! Oh yeah baby!

Please bring your lights as it will be dark by the time we finish and $3 to get into the National Park. Bring your family and friends, your significant other or your insignificant other...just don't bring both! It is an 18 to 20 mile round trip. If that distance is a bit too long, there's some of our number that start at Chicken Bone Beach parking lot. This cuts about 5 miles off the total distance. Usually two groups form after the entrance gate, a faster one for the Hammerheads and a slower group for those just wanting to enjoy the ride at a more leisurely pace.  Regardless, it's a great ride and the weather forecast looks perfect for the sunset and moonrise! (And for you romantics; the potential is limitless.) Need I say mas? (Uh, a little Spanish lingo there in honor of Cinco de Mayo...means: "more")

Come on out for one or both rides tomorrow and celebrate Cinco de Bad Mayo with the peloton!

See you out on the road,
Bob

Ah Yes, Another Spirited TERAD!

I just love that kind of stuff, don't you?! It was definitely a Hammerfest, if not a Sufferfest for some. However, other than the Creighton Crossing, (CC) and the Yellow Corvette Incident, (YCI) I was really pleased with the group in terms of traffic and motorists relations. (TAMR). I have come to the conclusion that the only way anything will improve in Pensacola in regards to cycling, is if the cyclists do it!!! We are, in fact, our own worse enemy when it comes to how the public perceives us. And perception is reality! We have to make the changes ourselves. It is up to each one of us to change how the public views cyclists. We even need to police our own.

I'm not kidding, this is a very serious matter. Cyclists generally are not looked upon with favor in our city. Why? Well, there are a number of reasons why. Some we can change, some we can't. I am referring to that which we can change...and should! For example; what if all of us who ride bikes, obeyed as many traffic laws as practical for the situation. What I mean by that is, there are the rare occasions where the rolling right turn is appropriate so as not to hold up the rest of traffic. Or perhaps you roll through a four way stop because there is no traffic at all. These are things, to be honest, we may do in our car anyway. But, generally we need to obey all traffic laws. They are watching and forming an opinion based on what they see. And, in May 2012, the overall judgement is against cyclists. (If you don't believe me, go back and read what folks say after one of us gets killed on the roadways or just ask a friend who doesn't ride to be honest with you. I have, and it is an awful eye opener!) Guys, they don't like us! Some even hate us! Why?

We've started something in our little peloton a year or so ago. Actually, it was Tim "Crusher" Fox who started it and several have followed suit. We wave and or greet every walker, jogger, runner, stroller we pass. Hey, it's a start. And a motorist who is kind enough to stop for us so we can cross, we always try to wave and say "Thank you", even if we only lip sinc it out. Guys, it's working! Recently, I had someone tell me they (two) were out for a walk the other day when a few cyclists rode by and several said, "Good morning!" This person expressed how friendly that was and that it changed their opinion about those bike riders. Now, I know that's just two people, but if all of us who ride bikes, tried to do something similar for most of the folks we come across, including motorists, what might happen over time?! What might happen over time if we do the opposite?

Last Saturday, we stopped at the gas station at Hwy 90 and Beulah Road to fill the bottles. While there, the Team Subaru guys showed up, evidently out for an early morning training ride. I was struck with how friendly every one of them were to us old(er) riders. As we went our separate ways, I started thinking. "Why is it that some riders show up for a ride with a scowl on their face?" I mean, bike riding is fun. It's, in my humble opinion, the world's greatest sport. Why the sour puss? "Yeah, I may have had a rough day or maybe the boss barked at me, but hey, now I'm out on my bike with a bunch of my friends doing what I love!" Get over the attitude! It affects the way you ride! Besides, if the strongest, most beastly among us can be friendly and cheerful, then join in the fun! (You might like it.) Thanks for the inspiration Subaru boys!

I say all this to say, we have got to do something to change the way folks in our fair city perceive us! It is entirely up to us, not them! We have to do what we can do...just simple things are a good start. Try an experiment on your next ride, either solo or with a group: try smiling at folks. Come on man, your face won't crack! Instead of the usual, "I keell you!" demeanor, try a wave or two to motorists...especially those who are being kind to you. (They don't have to be!!!) Maybe when you pass a walker, jogger or just someone sitting on a park bench, give them your greeting. What would it hurt? Maybe, just maybe, you may change one opinion about cyclists. And that's a good thing for all of us!

And one last thing; when one of our number, does something stupid like blowing through a red light or cutting cross traffic...call him out!!! Bark at him! Let him know it is not good for any of us! It will do at least two things; 1) Let's him know that it was not acceptable, and 2) Let's all the motorists know that we know it is not acceptable! Remember, they are watching...

See you out on the road,
Bob

Now, here's Left Lane's TERAD commentary:

Another Tuesday another awesome TERAD!!  Had a really good turnout with most of the usuals attending.  Riding were The Vortex, Crusher Fox, Big Motor Keith, Retro Dave, Bad Mayo, both Prentii, Scott Hurt Locker Burt, Jason, Nate, Bryan, Big Hoagie, Happy Harlan, yours truly The Left Lane and a couple others.

As we queued up at the start at M&S, Hurt Burt wondered where the Bad Mayo was and I looked at my clock and pointed out that it was only two minutes past starting time and that to be fashionably late (which is Bad Mayos modus operandi) you had to be at least 3 to 5 minutes late.  I pointed down Summit toward the end of the runway and prophesized that within a minute or 2 you would see David’s orange flag and his normal entourage of Big Motor & Retro Dave approaching.   Sure enough within seconds or so, there they were.  So Left Lane was self-dubbed the “Prophet of the Peloton.”  I’ve been called worse.

Conditions were perfect for a hammerfest  with not too much wind and warmer temps then we have been having lately.  We started out with Prenti (the elder) leading us out and Fox and Left Lane doing the pulls up  12^th avenue before heading up Langley for the first time.  A small group hammered down Langley to Spanish Trail with everyone regrouping at the light.  As we headed toward the Crit someone warned that Bad Mayo had turned in and was doing the Salmon version of the Crit.  We hammered into the crit at a fast pace with most of the group going the normal route over the speed bumps and Harlan & Left Lane taking the smoother route.  We all regrouped as we hit Scenic Highway and pounded it on through the course and ran into the Mayo as we made our final turn back out to Spanish Trail. 

We cruised through the hood with Vortex leading us out onto Creighton and toward 9^th Avenue.  The pace average was in the 19 mph range and everyone pretty much went to Noodle as we crossed 9th and headed toward Burgess.  Everyone except the Left Lane though who was out ahead and just rode at his pace staying ahead to avoid the usual slamfest as we headed to Chapel St.  The boys reeled me in near the end of the long straight, but I did not have to stomp it to keep up as usual (ahh..fresh legs for the finish!!).  As we crossed Creighton, Big Hoagie took off for the unannounced City Limit Sign Sprint with Left Lane chasing.  Hoagie took the prize and as BH and the LL reached Burgess with around a 150 yard gap, the ever cantankerous LL asked Hoagie if he was up to a 2 man Breakaway.  Hoagie and Left Lane have been practicing this at the Thursday Crit practice at Ellyson which nobody else but Hurt Burt and Murphy attend.  Hoagie said lets go, so we went into 2 man mode doing short pulls and running in the 23 mph range.

BH & LL opened up quite a gap over the Peloton but as we were around halfway down Burgess here comes the indefatigable Hurt Locker reeling us in.  HL always up for a Breakaway was quickly incorporated into our now 3 man Break.  We hammered on toward 9^th Avenue opening a considerable gap on the now in shock Peloton.  Of course any Break on this course depends on perfect timing at the 9^th Avenue light.  As luck would have it, we caught the light just as it turned yellow and we pulled into the light at 12^th knowing we would get our green before the group got their green at 9^th  This would give us a gap that would carry us to a likely Breakaway win unless the Boys in the Peloton really slammed it down to catch us.  Either a win or a good chase … and for Left Lane(bad kneed old fat guy with no Sprint) the only chance at a TERAD win!!

As we caught our breath waiting for the green, I recalled Murphy’s Law….If something can go wrong .. it will (I think this is how it goes).  As we were about to get our green, I looked back at the peloton which should have been stuck on the other side of 9^th Avenue rolling up to join us …”What the…FnH.!!”.  Apparently the new Scofflaw of the Peloton, The Bad Mayonaisse attempted an illegal against the red crossing of 9^th Avenue and a Good Samaritan in a yellow Corvette blocked traffic to assist Dave in his crossing and the rest of the Peloton crossed as well.  That Bad Mayonaise knows more people and has more “Support Cadres” than Lance Armstrong in the Tour De France!!!

Well that was the end of the Breakaway and any hope for crowd favorites LL and BH for a victory.  Of course Hurt Burt, the other member of the Break would have something to say about the final outcome.  We were therefore all together as we headed up Langley for a second time.  Prenti the younger blew off the front past 2^nd wheel Left Lane looking for a break partner but I was pretty much gassed and in recovery mode and could not oblige.  Just then Foxinator came rolling through with Bryan in tow and Left Lane grabbing the wheel chasing down The Prenti.  Prenti, realizing he was alone pulled up and Fox, Bryan & LL who were slamming it to reel in Prenti had a quick slow down which caught Bryan and Left Lane by surprise and in a serious wheel rub  which due to superior bike handling skills amounted to only a scare…..Shooooo!!. 

Fox took the pull and regulated the Peloton to a reasonable pace as we cruised down Langley in the mid 20s.  As we headed up Spanish to Maygarden the lead group was down to around 7 riders with Retro, Hurt Burt, Foxinator, Bryan, Hoagie, Left Lane and Prenti TY.  Pulls were alternated by Prenti, Retro & Hurt with everyone together until the turn at the Terminal  (bye bye Left Lane off the back as usual) with the rest staying together.  Fox took the lead for the Big Bull Pull as they went through the Esses, and then fell into disorganization at which time Scott Hurt Locker Burt blew by the unsuspecting Retro Dave on the right as he looked over his left shoulder to assay his competition.  A fatal mistake for the perennial favorite RD and Bryan as Hurt Locker was not going to be caught this day and rolled on to a 20 to 30 yard victory with RD & Bryan  rolling in next then Fox & Hoagie & Prentii TY and then Left Lane an always respectable 7^th!!

Fantastic TERAD Hammerfest with average speed of 19mph even with stops & noodles.  As usual Big Motor Keith said to me ..”Now the ride really starts” referring to our normal post ride Mad Dash back to East Hill.  Keith loves to dish out the pain on this last 4 mile stretch!!!  Oh no, not again I thought, but what the hell here we go.   Keith did the majority of the pull down Scenic Highway with Hoagie, Bryan, Left Lane & Mayo in tow running in the 23mph range.  After Hoagie did a short pull and fisselled, Bryan did a short pull as well with Keith going back to the front down the hill to the Cervantes Bridge hitting 30 mph.  Some kind of cool down lap!!.  Well I held Keith’s wheel and tried to pass him on the uphill as we crested the hill at around 18mph but Big Motor had too much motor as usual..but the Left Lane was nipping at his heels!!  Maybe next time Big Motor!!

Great Ride, sometimes I think these TERADs take more out of me than the 50 to 60 mile Saturday rides.  Well Hoagie got back up with me at the Palatial Manor De Left Lane and by the time I changed and was out on the front porch he had returned from Pat O’Brien’s with the usual 12 Pack of Yeungling.  So 4 beers (that’s my limit) into the 12 Pack I decided to write this blog…so please allow a little “Literary License.”  Hoagie and I got into our usual political discussion , both being of a fiscally conservative bent after Hoagie noted on the TV at Pat O’Brien’s our President’s speech touting his “Gutsy Call” coming from Afghanistan on the eve of the demise of UBL.  I think the discussion at the Liquor store was something to the effect that thank goodness BHO was not “Spiking The Ball”… but Hoagie noted he never said he would not conduct and illegal unauthorized End Zone Celebration!!!  Enough politics…Sorry!!

That’s my story and I’m sticking tooit.

Thanks Left Lane! Great ride and great commentary! Don't forget tonight at WSRE at 5pm for the WFW Hammerfest! And, of course Saturday morning for the Cinco de Bad Mayo Ride at 7am at Fish and Wildlife. And, if that's not enough, Saturday evening is the Full Moon Ride out at the beach! It's all on the Rides Calendar at the bottom of this Blogazoidal!