Every Ride Has It's Own Joys

So there I was, standing on the side of Davis Highway with traffic whizzing by. I had just had my third flat in three days! This flat was one of those loud "gunshot" type punctures. In fact, it made me kind of jump as I instinctively thought I was being shot at...dude, it's not funny! It's an awful feeling of vulnerability. I mean, where do you hide when you're on a bicycle wearing nothing but lycra?!

I dismount (equestrian term) my trusty steed to discover the tube had blown completely out of the tire and had wrapped itself around the frame several times. The rear wheel actually couldn't move more than an inch or so. Ah, so that's the reason the rear was fish tailing until I could bring the machine to a complete stop...I was sliding along Davis Highway on the bare metal rim! (Man, was I glad I wasn't riding carbon rims!)

It took a full five minutes and the encouragement of the gathering crowd round about me before finally freeing the imprisoned bike from the elastic bonds of the blown tube. I then quickly popped the tire off the rim and pulled the tube out and held it high for the fans to see. The sight was met with more than just a polite cheer!

I changed that tube in record time (as everyone wanted to help) and used one of my two CO2 cartridges to fill the limp rubber. I kept assuring them that I was used to changing tires and it would only take a minute..."and by the way, can I have that back now?!" With the tire back on the rim and the wheel back on the bike, I started to fill with air...

However, to my dismay, as soon as I had twisted (screw on type) the cylinder upon the valve it started releasing air too fast for me to get it on the stem to fill my tire. But, being the savvy rider that I am, I quickly picked up all my parts, debris and what was left of my pride and headed down the road on what had to be about 25psi. Once out of sight of my newly found "fanclub", I pulled over, used the second cartridge of CO2 from out of my saddle bag and made for home before one of the fans happened upon me and my true intent discovered.

The whole ride took about an hour and a half for a whopping 17 miles. It was exhausting nonetheless...

So, everyone ready for a romp on the Lillian Loop Express tomorrow?!

Here's the details:

Where:  Fish and Wildlife

What:  Lillian Loop

Distance:  Long Route 55 miles; Short Route 43 miles

Pace:  Moderate until the two groups separate then each group will determine it's own pace.

Who:  Who dat? You dat!

Weather forecast looks real good with temps in the 60s with plenty of sunshine! We even have scheduled a Tailwind Express for the trip home! Hey, don't forget Mayo's Sunday Afternoon Madness Ride!

See you out on the road,
Bob

Chilly With A Starbucks!

So much for the warmer temps that we have enjoyed the last week or so...it's back to chilly weather for this Saturday's ride. However, with chilly, we get Starbucks! So, as of today, the weather forecast looks like 46 degrees at start time, warming to low 50s by the time we finish up.

The good news: sunshine aplenty!!!

We're doing the UWF/Scenic Hills Loop With A Twist. A 40 to 45 miler with a couple options for those who may want to go shorter. Here's the details:

Where:  Maygarden and Summit
Time:  8am
Route:  35 or 45 miles
Pace:  Moderate
Rest stop:  Starbucks (Oh yeah baby!)
Who:  You!

See you there but until then, I'll...

See you out on the road,
Bob

No Tights Means Just Right!

The weather forecast for tomorrow morning's ride looks fantastic! Partly cloudy and upper 60s at go time and finishing with the temps right around 70! Come on somebody!

We were doing the Soundside Route, but since we just did Around the Sound, we figured maybe a change is in order. Therefore, the Innerarity Point Route was instituted but, (wait for it) looks like the winds are not favorable for the far west loop. So...let those who ride decide!

When you show up in the morning at 8am at Fish and Wildlife, you'll be handed a sealed ballot (not!) and asked to vote on any route you care to ride. Barring any hanging chads, we should be able to determine the route in short order and off we'll go. If you do Innerarity, we'll have a long and short route. Long is about 55 miles and the short is right around 42-43 miles.

Don't forget Bad Mayo's Sunday afternoon ride as well. This weather is unbestinkingleivable! I went out today for a 20 miler and rode in short sleeve jersey with shorts! Oh yeah baby, it was nice!

See you in the morning and as always, I'll...

See you out on the road,
Bob

Tomorrow's Ride: Two Options

Happy New Year to everyone!

We had a fantastic New Year's weekend full of riding, ending one year and starting another. Can you believe it is 2013!? I can't...

Well, now we are off to the races (so to speak) and another wonderful 12 months of riding! I say that for those who are reading this from areas other than local. For many of our cycling brethren, the riding season lasts a mere few months. But, for us on the Gulf Coast, it is year round. Albeit sometimes a bit chilly as evidence by our last two rides! Tomorrow morning looks a tad bit nicer than last Saturday. And for those of you interested in riding, we will have two options. The two groups will stay together until the turn off of Mobile Highway to head down into the Hammock itself. At this point, the Long Group turns towards the Hammock and the Short Group stays straight to a right turn onto Beulah Road.  The Short Group takes Kingsfield back and the Long Group takes Musgokee back. Here's the details:

Start Time:  8am
Location:  Maygarden and Summit
Route:  Twisted Hammock Loop
Miles:  45 for Short route; 58 for Long route
Pace:  Short route is moderate; Long route is whatever the group decides

There has been a number of whiny concerns about the longer distances in the middle of winter so we are trying to accommodate as many sissy  riders as we can. If you have any questions please contact the Ride Leader for that particular group.

LG: Danamal, Happy, Left Lane
SG: Crusher, Prenti, Vortex

See you out on the road,
Bob