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
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