Yes, there we were, just six of us, not including the seventh that showed up in his pajamas drinking a hot coffee. The wind was blowing near hurricane force and the skies threatening to open up and dump upon us. The situation looked grim. Only the brawny bike riders arrived at this starting line. Names like, Crusher, Danamal, Vortex, Nestorine, Prenti and uh...Happy. (Okay, the last name isn't that brawny, so what. You get the idea.)
There was some somber discussion amongst these chosen few as to what route should be taken on this beastly day. After some sage reasoning from the more experienced in the group, it was decided to ride with the wind to Fort Morgan and beg the wives for a ride home. Uh...then we figured that wouldn't work so we headed towards our reverse Pine Forest Loop. Good choice!
As this small band of brave souls rolled away from the pajama wearing coffee drinker leaning on his beemer, (Left Lane) you could hear the fans quietly singing the theme from that old Green Beret movie:
Brawny riders, they decided to go;
Told their wives, they didn't want to though.
Of all the riders in the world today;
Only six, rode on their stormy way.
Yes, these beastly brave riders put all personal care and safety aside as they headed into the teeth of this brutal storm yesterday. They took turns pulling into the terrifying wind...still they soldiered on. Each one remembering, "one for all and all for one" or something like that. It was one of those extremely rare rides where every member of the tiny peloton worked as a well oiled machine. Each one bearing the load appropriate for the day. It was a work of art and science altogether. The fans were going wild. (What few there were that braved this brutal day.)
These six savvy warriors made to the half way rest stop and refreshed themselves. Then off again into the teeth of the terrible storm. At times, the headwind would rip at them like Coolio attacking his favorite donut at Krispy Kreme! When they would make a turn in the route, the crosswind threatened to tear apart the eschelon itself. However, once they had made it to the Tailwind Express section, they flew down the road like the brawny bike riders they are! (Everyone can hammer with a tailwind, right?) Good fun and great ride!!!
The Vortex, (great name for this ride) won the rest stop sprint and Danamal won the final sprint for the day! Congrats to both! What an awesome ride on what appeared to be a pitiful day for riding. The group did, at one point, get sprinkled upon, but they made the whole ride without any real rain. All told, 45 miles at a 18.3mph average.
Now, how about tomorrow's ride?!
Well, looks like we are going to have to play this one by ear. Check back on this Blogazoidal in the morning as we will give everyone an update as to the ride status. We'll make every effort, just like yesterday, to give as much notice as we can. However, I doubt we will be doing the Twisted Santa Rosa as scheduled. We'll decide in the morning at 7am at Firestone and Summit. Hope to see you all in the morning! But, I'm not sure until then if I'll...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
To Ride Or Not To Ride...
...that is the question!
Okay, here's the deal for this morning's ride;
At 7am it is 100% chance of rain. At 8am it is 25% and at 8:15am it is 10%.
Therefore, we will delay the start of the ride until 8am at Fish and Wildlife.
The winds all morning are out of the southeast so we should discuss a different route. A shorter one, as the weather map shows it getting nasty again around 11:30am or so. Those of us who show up will decide.
Normally I would suggest to just stay home, but it is forecasted to rain over the next 4 days and the Pensacola Cycling Classic is just 2 weeks from today! We gotta ride!!!
See you at 8am at Fish and Wildlife.
May be a bit damp, but it will be nice and cool...a pleasant change from the recent rides.
See you then,
Bob
Okay, here's the deal for this morning's ride;
At 7am it is 100% chance of rain. At 8am it is 25% and at 8:15am it is 10%.
Therefore, we will delay the start of the ride until 8am at Fish and Wildlife.
The winds all morning are out of the southeast so we should discuss a different route. A shorter one, as the weather map shows it getting nasty again around 11:30am or so. Those of us who show up will decide.
Normally I would suggest to just stay home, but it is forecasted to rain over the next 4 days and the Pensacola Cycling Classic is just 2 weeks from today! We gotta ride!!!
See you at 8am at Fish and Wildlife.
May be a bit damp, but it will be nice and cool...a pleasant change from the recent rides.
See you then,
Bob
Friday, September 2, 2011
A Little WERAD Will Do Ya!
Sounds like the WERAD this past Wednesday was your typical hammerfest that it has been known for. Several of the big boys were throwing it down and getting a bit frisky! The Left Lane put together some color commentary in the absence of the Masked Writer (Vortex). Who was out of pocket on a double secret training session in his desert, (not dessert) training camp. Training specifically to treat sunburn while still in the saddle, (there's a real trick to it) and how to pull out cacti (plural for cactuseses...kinda like Prenti is plural for...never mind) thorns from your tires without getting a finger caught in the spokes. Highly skilled techniques every cyclist should know!
Here's Left Lane's commentary in his own perspective that can only be from the, uh...Left Lane:
Another fantastic WERAD as usual. Although some of the usual suspects were missing...What the Mother Clucker Vortex, Mechanical Mayo Bad Mayonnaise, No Big Hoagie...Not even a Little Hoagie, there was still a very good turnout. In attendance were Fox, Bugno, Chuck, Keith, Fishbone, Lawman, Nathan, Wes, Nestor, Peter, and The Left Lane. Hope I got everyone.
After listening to several tales of the Carnage from Saturday's ride we took off and rode the usual route with Fishbone pushing the pace early on up 12th avenue and the first part of Langley. Pace was fairly reasonable especially with the wind in our face on Langley and then on the first half of the crit course. Keith pulled the first half of the Crit and then Chuck, The Bad Half, went to the front for the second half with the wind with the pace kicking up in the mid 20's. Left Lane tried to take the short sprint at the end but Johnny Bugno quickly put him in his place to lead the group back out onto Spanish Trail.
The group was very evenly matched this day with everyone staying together for the hammerfests on the other side of 9th avenue. Going up Langley the second time, the Lawman began to legislate from the front of the peloton before turning it over to the Nathaaaan Bomb as we cruised in the mid 20's to Spanish Trail and headed for Maygarden. I was sitting on Foxes wheel in around 6th spot as we started down Maygarden with the Bugno going to the front and putting down a pace in the 23mph range. I was needling Fox that someone was very conspicuous in his absence from the front of the peloton. Where was the Big Motor??!! No suicide pull by Keith!! What was going on??? I had needled Keith and Lawman earlier in the ride for hanging back/sandbagging in the back of the peloton.
Well Bugno turned the pull over to Nathan, I believe, before the Air Terminal and we slammed it toward the Ess Turn with the entire group still together. Still no Big Motor to the front!! It became apparent that in the absence of the Presumptive Sprint Favorite (PSF) (the Vortex) the Bodacious Brit had taken on a new attitude and was going to go for the Win!! Sure enough with around 300 yards left here comes Keith around to go to the front with Lawman chasing. Keith opened up a slight lead and was able to just barely hold off the Lawman for his first WERAD victory in some time. I was cheering him on from my usual place at the back of the pack. It was good to see Keith who so often does so much work at the front take the victory. Good ride Big Motor!!
Thanks Left Lane! And congrats to Keith "Big Motor" Irwin!!!
Looking forward to riding with the peloton again tomorrow morning...maybe. It looks like the weather may be our biggest obstacle to riding in the morning. However, if it is not actually raining, we're riding!!! (It may be our last chance for several days! Have you seen the weather forecast...dismal!) Please check out our foul weather policy below, way below...down there with the Rides Calendar. You can check that out too!
In fact, if you do, you'll see the intended ride for tomorrow is the Lillian Loop. However, depending on the weather map at 6am we may change that to another direction...we'll see. Regardless, we'll start at 7am at Fish and Wildlife unless it is actually raining. Come on out and help choose the alternative route if needed!
See you (hopefully) in the morning and...
See you out on the road, (after several days of rain!)
Bob
Here's Left Lane's commentary in his own perspective that can only be from the, uh...Left Lane:
Another fantastic WERAD as usual. Although some of the usual suspects were missing...What the Mother Clucker Vortex, Mechanical Mayo Bad Mayonnaise, No Big Hoagie...Not even a Little Hoagie, there was still a very good turnout. In attendance were Fox, Bugno, Chuck, Keith, Fishbone, Lawman, Nathan, Wes, Nestor, Peter, and The Left Lane. Hope I got everyone.
After listening to several tales of the Carnage from Saturday's ride we took off and rode the usual route with Fishbone pushing the pace early on up 12th avenue and the first part of Langley. Pace was fairly reasonable especially with the wind in our face on Langley and then on the first half of the crit course. Keith pulled the first half of the Crit and then Chuck, The Bad Half, went to the front for the second half with the wind with the pace kicking up in the mid 20's. Left Lane tried to take the short sprint at the end but Johnny Bugno quickly put him in his place to lead the group back out onto Spanish Trail.
The group was very evenly matched this day with everyone staying together for the hammerfests on the other side of 9th avenue. Going up Langley the second time, the Lawman began to legislate from the front of the peloton before turning it over to the Nathaaaan Bomb as we cruised in the mid 20's to Spanish Trail and headed for Maygarden. I was sitting on Foxes wheel in around 6th spot as we started down Maygarden with the Bugno going to the front and putting down a pace in the 23mph range. I was needling Fox that someone was very conspicuous in his absence from the front of the peloton. Where was the Big Motor??!! No suicide pull by Keith!! What was going on??? I had needled Keith and Lawman earlier in the ride for hanging back/sandbagging in the back of the peloton.
Well Bugno turned the pull over to Nathan, I believe, before the Air Terminal and we slammed it toward the Ess Turn with the entire group still together. Still no Big Motor to the front!! It became apparent that in the absence of the Presumptive Sprint Favorite (PSF) (the Vortex) the Bodacious Brit had taken on a new attitude and was going to go for the Win!! Sure enough with around 300 yards left here comes Keith around to go to the front with Lawman chasing. Keith opened up a slight lead and was able to just barely hold off the Lawman for his first WERAD victory in some time. I was cheering him on from my usual place at the back of the pack. It was good to see Keith who so often does so much work at the front take the victory. Good ride Big Motor!!
Thanks Left Lane! And congrats to Keith "Big Motor" Irwin!!!
Looking forward to riding with the peloton again tomorrow morning...maybe. It looks like the weather may be our biggest obstacle to riding in the morning. However, if it is not actually raining, we're riding!!! (It may be our last chance for several days! Have you seen the weather forecast...dismal!) Please check out our foul weather policy below, way below...down there with the Rides Calendar. You can check that out too!
In fact, if you do, you'll see the intended ride for tomorrow is the Lillian Loop. However, depending on the weather map at 6am we may change that to another direction...we'll see. Regardless, we'll start at 7am at Fish and Wildlife unless it is actually raining. Come on out and help choose the alternative route if needed!
See you (hopefully) in the morning and...
See you out on the road, (after several days of rain!)
Bob
Monday, August 29, 2011
Happy's First Blogification!
Saturday's ride Around the Bay was epic!
The weather was just about perfect, although some would have called it hot. With the lower humidity, this rider thought it was fantastic. And with the northwest wind across Garcon Point Bridge, man I was loving life. However, not everyone would agree with me. There was carnage a plenty!
The group started out from Firestone and Summit under partly sunny skies and moving along in the upper teens as we headed towards the first obstacle, The Causeway to Pace. Several of the boys were feeling frisky as we moved across, but none more than Aero Jim Britnell, who seemed to have the bit between the teeth as if we were just finishing the ride instead of starting it. He opened up his toolbox of suffering and pulled out the biggest wrench he could find to do some tweaking on the peloton's level of pain...into the high 20s. Here's where the carnage began.
Once in Pace itself, we made our way over to the second obstacle of the day, The Hamilton Bridge Road. The pace remained in the low 20s until the downhill section where it moved into the mid 30s and the high tempo carried unto the uphill portion of this day's proceedings. In fact, Circle K, Neil "Big Guns" Geci, Big Motor, Crusher and the Vortex romped and stomped up this 1 mile climb at over 20 mph! Uh, here's where more carnage became evident.
In fact just past the top of the climb but before the first of two rest stops, Harland "Happy" Williams flatted. We all waited for quite some time at the stop, but no Happy. Finally, after filling the bottles, Circle K and Vortex headed back in search of the unhappy Happy. They found him no more than 500 meters back fussing with his hand pump and his half inflated rear tire.
Here's his report in his own words:
OK, so there hanging in my closet was my blue Tour of California jersey. I hesitated when I reached for it this morning. The last time I wore it I flatted on the group ride. Nah, my rational side told me. Don’t be superstitious.
Now, when the three (Happy, Circle K and Vortex) returned to the rest stop, they discovered the entire peloton had already departed without them for parts south. The three amigos were absolutely stunned and none said a word except Circle K, who simply uttered, "Wow!" With no Happy success and he deciding to call Mrs Happy for a lift to the Happy residence, Circle K and Vortex decided on a short cut down Glover and through the backdoor to Bagdad in hopes of catching up to the peloton. These two chasers hammered it along in the mid 20s hoping to bridge the gap by Robinson Point Road.
By the time the two had reached Avalon Blvd, they had not caught the group and determined they must now be in front of the bunch. As they reached the top of the hump on the Garcon Point Bridge, they stopped for a hard look ahead as well as behind. They could see no one in either direction and therefore reasoned that they were either way ahead or way behind the peloton. As they peered one last time behind them, they thought that maybe they could make out a rider or two more than a mile away. It wasn't until they arrived at the second rest stop and after several minutes realized that somehow they had gotten in front of the group, which was now strewn over several miles of the course.
All regrouped at the second rest stop as everyone it seemed had stories to tell of their own personal world of pain. Everyone tanked up and within a few minutes we were off for the final section of this epic ride which is the Around the Bay Loop. Right out of the gate, Big Guns took us into Anareobiaville, doing his version of a suicide pull...all the way to Andrews Institute. Beastly! (more carnage) This small group of Big Guns, Mike "Legs" Larson, Circle K, Big Motor, Vortex and Ranoldo slowed through Proper allowing several of the boys to latch back on just before the final crux of today's event...The 3 Mile Bridge. The pace stayed in the mid 20s until the hump, which caused the group to keep it in the high 20s until the Vortex flatted with just under a mile to go. Several stopped with him as some watched the motorists and others enjoyed the view.
A few minutes later they are all standing under the tree at Fish and Wildlife telling stories of one of the best rides in quite some time. Great ride with a great group of riders!
If you missed it, don't fret yourself, the WERAD is only two days away! Come on out and enjoy some suffering with the cast of unusual characters that can only be the Firestone and Summit peloton! Until then...
See you out on the road,
Bob
The weather was just about perfect, although some would have called it hot. With the lower humidity, this rider thought it was fantastic. And with the northwest wind across Garcon Point Bridge, man I was loving life. However, not everyone would agree with me. There was carnage a plenty!
The group started out from Firestone and Summit under partly sunny skies and moving along in the upper teens as we headed towards the first obstacle, The Causeway to Pace. Several of the boys were feeling frisky as we moved across, but none more than Aero Jim Britnell, who seemed to have the bit between the teeth as if we were just finishing the ride instead of starting it. He opened up his toolbox of suffering and pulled out the biggest wrench he could find to do some tweaking on the peloton's level of pain...into the high 20s. Here's where the carnage began.
Once in Pace itself, we made our way over to the second obstacle of the day, The Hamilton Bridge Road. The pace remained in the low 20s until the downhill section where it moved into the mid 30s and the high tempo carried unto the uphill portion of this day's proceedings. In fact, Circle K, Neil "Big Guns" Geci, Big Motor, Crusher and the Vortex romped and stomped up this 1 mile climb at over 20 mph! Uh, here's where more carnage became evident.
In fact just past the top of the climb but before the first of two rest stops, Harland "Happy" Williams flatted. We all waited for quite some time at the stop, but no Happy. Finally, after filling the bottles, Circle K and Vortex headed back in search of the unhappy Happy. They found him no more than 500 meters back fussing with his hand pump and his half inflated rear tire.
Here's his report in his own words:
OK, so there hanging in my closet was my blue Tour of California jersey. I hesitated when I reached for it this morning. The last time I wore it I flatted on the group ride. Nah, my rational side told me. Don’t be superstitious.
So, my day of mechanical challenges began.
First of all somewhere on the bridge to Pace the top to my water bottle abandoned the ride unbeknownst to me. On Hamilton Bridge road I had a flat. No biggie, right? I changed the tube but couldn’t get that sucker to inflate beyond about 40 pounds, bad valve I think. At the Tom Thumb I told Bob and Chip to proceed without me (the group had moved on by this time) and called for my wife to pick me up. Meanwhile I noticed my brake pad was loose so I broke out my toolkit.
Once I got home I changed the tube and the tire was good to go. So . . . I figured I would ride the reverse route and meet the group somewhere between Midway and Gulf Breeze. I rolled out onto Scenic Highway. Just before Scenic and Wimbledon my wheel began to clack with every revolution. I pulled over. Dang if I hadn’t picked up an inch long piece of 20 gauge electrical wire. It was sticking out perpendicular to the tire. Of course when I pulled it out the remainder of my air whooshed out with it. Another call to my dear wife (who was feeling like a Triple-A employee by this time) for a pickup. Yes, I could have changed it on the side of the road but I was a whopping 1 mile from home and little bit un-HAPPY at this point.
PS When I got home I fixed the tire(again) and continued to ride until I was once again. . . Happy.Sorry I missed Garcon Point Bridge. I hope everyone made it home before it got too hot.
Now, when the three (Happy, Circle K and Vortex) returned to the rest stop, they discovered the entire peloton had already departed without them for parts south. The three amigos were absolutely stunned and none said a word except Circle K, who simply uttered, "Wow!" With no Happy success and he deciding to call Mrs Happy for a lift to the Happy residence, Circle K and Vortex decided on a short cut down Glover and through the backdoor to Bagdad in hopes of catching up to the peloton. These two chasers hammered it along in the mid 20s hoping to bridge the gap by Robinson Point Road.
By the time the two had reached Avalon Blvd, they had not caught the group and determined they must now be in front of the bunch. As they reached the top of the hump on the Garcon Point Bridge, they stopped for a hard look ahead as well as behind. They could see no one in either direction and therefore reasoned that they were either way ahead or way behind the peloton. As they peered one last time behind them, they thought that maybe they could make out a rider or two more than a mile away. It wasn't until they arrived at the second rest stop and after several minutes realized that somehow they had gotten in front of the group, which was now strewn over several miles of the course.
All regrouped at the second rest stop as everyone it seemed had stories to tell of their own personal world of pain. Everyone tanked up and within a few minutes we were off for the final section of this epic ride which is the Around the Bay Loop. Right out of the gate, Big Guns took us into Anareobiaville, doing his version of a suicide pull...all the way to Andrews Institute. Beastly! (more carnage) This small group of Big Guns, Mike "Legs" Larson, Circle K, Big Motor, Vortex and Ranoldo slowed through Proper allowing several of the boys to latch back on just before the final crux of today's event...The 3 Mile Bridge. The pace stayed in the mid 20s until the hump, which caused the group to keep it in the high 20s until the Vortex flatted with just under a mile to go. Several stopped with him as some watched the motorists and others enjoyed the view.
A few minutes later they are all standing under the tree at Fish and Wildlife telling stories of one of the best rides in quite some time. Great ride with a great group of riders!
If you missed it, don't fret yourself, the WERAD is only two days away! Come on out and enjoy some suffering with the cast of unusual characters that can only be the Firestone and Summit peloton! Until then...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Friday, August 26, 2011
Left Lane Adds Some Color
Since I was "out of pocket" the last few days, as indicated in the blogification below, the Left Lane has taken it upon himself to offer his unique view...from the Left Lane, of this past WERAD.
That Left Lane, you gotta love him...not!
Here's his color commentary:
Seeing as you have shucked your Bloginator responsibilities while you "wasted away in Margaritaville", I figured I would offer up a commentary on this weeks WERAD as best I can remember it.
Great WERAD as usual. Not a huge turnout but many of the usual suspects. Attendees included Bob (Vortex), Richard (Left Lane/Me) Mark (The Thrill) Brill, Prenti the Older, Chuck (The Bad Half/Gramps), Isthvan (The Count of Monte Fishbone), Mark (The Big Hoagie) Calvert, Keith (The Big Motor), Nathan (The Nathan Bomb), David (The Bad Mayonnaise), Half Ride Dave Carroll (Lawman), Chris Huffman (The Real Lawman), Nestor (no nickname yet and fairly new to the group...Nestor was the only rider other than myself who showed up for Tuesday's ride.. he rode really well that day and I was able to convince him to come out and WERAD with the boys. Hope I got everyone..If I didn't..Live with It!!
We did our usual loop with Prenti doing most of the work early and keeping the pace fairly reasonable. On our first pass up Langley the pace kicked up as usual as we cruised through the park area noting the Traffic Enhancements had been removed (so I guess cyclists do have a little pull around here!!!). We were doing over 20 here and then up in the upper 20's as we hit Spanish Trail and headed for the Crit. Vortex took the lead through the Crit as usual with Left Lane on his wheel (What a Clydesdale Draft/Vortex for the others to follow) and put down a hot pace all the way through the course with Left Lane scooting around Vortex & Fishbone (who seemed disinterested), to get to Spanish Trail first (I have to get my sprint points where I can knowing I will get stomped on the final sprint!!)
We had the usual Hammerfests on the long straits on the other side of 9th Avenue and Burgess where we were cruising behind the Vortex in the upper 20's when we came to a quick slowdown as we saw a new stop sign with the Word "NEW" above it (stopping Burgess traffic!!) about halfway down the long straight. What a crazy place for a stop sign!! We rolled through at a slowed down pace and continued on our way grumbling about those damn traffic engineers who need to find something better to do than clog up our favorite straights!!...I guess its better than speed bumps!!!
Vortex and Left Lane got a little ahead of the group as we reached 9th Avenue perhaps planning a 2 man break but the lights were not favorable and everyone was together with the exception of the Bad Mayonnaise who we could see up ahead playing rabbit as we sat at the light. Half Ride Dave Carroll who got a late start joined us at the light as well. Well Dave went to the front as we started up Langley and put the hammer down as usual. We were in the mid 20's as we finished the slight uphill near the park and just accelerated from there. Dave was leading with Vortex, Big Motor Keith, Left Lane and Bad Half Chuck in the lead group with the others missing the wheel. Vortex took over as we headed to Spanish in the 30 mph range. As we turned onto Spanish he pulled over and incited us to send someone to the front to keep our small group ahead of the others, but we were all a bunch of toasted "Refusers". So the pace slowed down and the rest of the riders rejoined as we started down Maygarden.
I think Dave Carroll did the first pull with Mark The Thrill doing a short pull thereafter as we headed toward the Air Terminal gobbling up rabbit Dave in the process. As usual the selfless Big Motor Keith went to the front to do the "suicide pull" toward the finish. Pace was up over 25mph as we went through the Esses with the Big Motor Cranking it out. Around 400 yards from the finish, Left Lane broke to the front for the lead out and kicked it up into the upper 20's leading for a couple 100 yards just waiting to get stomped by the big sprinters. Sure enough around 100 yards from the finish here comes the Vortex (with that big gear up in the mid 30's) blowing by me. I sat up and just watched as Bad Half Chuck & The Thrill went by for 2nd & 3rd as well with Left Lane taking 4th and then the others rolling in. I guess I will have to get one of those little concealed motors from Coolio if I ever want to prevail on the final Maygarden Sprint!!
Anyway it was a great ride and we had a nice group slamming it down Scenic Highway as well to finish up the ride.
See everyone on the road Saturday morning. Rumor (and the Weather Channel) has it that the Gargoyle Point Bridge will be defanged on the Around the Bay ride...Wind out of the Northwest .. thank goodness!! Old Clydesdales with bad knees (ME) have been known to struggle into the usual 15mph headwind on this bridge.
The Left Lane
Thanks for the write up Left Lane!!! See you and everyone else tomorrow morning for the fabulous Around The Bay Loop! As always there should be plenty of peloton antics to go around for all...from the cast of unusual characters which is the Firestone and Summit Group!
Until then...
See you out on the road,
Bob
That Left Lane, you gotta love him...not!
Here's his color commentary:
Seeing as you have shucked your Bloginator responsibilities while you "wasted away in Margaritaville", I figured I would offer up a commentary on this weeks WERAD as best I can remember it.
Great WERAD as usual. Not a huge turnout but many of the usual suspects. Attendees included Bob (Vortex), Richard (Left Lane/Me) Mark (The Thrill) Brill, Prenti the Older, Chuck (The Bad Half/Gramps), Isthvan (The Count of Monte Fishbone), Mark (The Big Hoagie) Calvert, Keith (The Big Motor), Nathan (The Nathan Bomb), David (The Bad Mayonnaise), Half Ride Dave Carroll (Lawman), Chris Huffman (The Real Lawman), Nestor (no nickname yet and fairly new to the group...Nestor was the only rider other than myself who showed up for Tuesday's ride.. he rode really well that day and I was able to convince him to come out and WERAD with the boys. Hope I got everyone..If I didn't..Live with It!!
We did our usual loop with Prenti doing most of the work early and keeping the pace fairly reasonable. On our first pass up Langley the pace kicked up as usual as we cruised through the park area noting the Traffic Enhancements had been removed (so I guess cyclists do have a little pull around here!!!). We were doing over 20 here and then up in the upper 20's as we hit Spanish Trail and headed for the Crit. Vortex took the lead through the Crit as usual with Left Lane on his wheel (What a Clydesdale Draft/Vortex for the others to follow) and put down a hot pace all the way through the course with Left Lane scooting around Vortex & Fishbone (who seemed disinterested), to get to Spanish Trail first (I have to get my sprint points where I can knowing I will get stomped on the final sprint!!)
We had the usual Hammerfests on the long straits on the other side of 9th Avenue and Burgess where we were cruising behind the Vortex in the upper 20's when we came to a quick slowdown as we saw a new stop sign with the Word "NEW" above it (stopping Burgess traffic!!) about halfway down the long straight. What a crazy place for a stop sign!! We rolled through at a slowed down pace and continued on our way grumbling about those damn traffic engineers who need to find something better to do than clog up our favorite straights!!...I guess its better than speed bumps!!!
Vortex and Left Lane got a little ahead of the group as we reached 9th Avenue perhaps planning a 2 man break but the lights were not favorable and everyone was together with the exception of the Bad Mayonnaise who we could see up ahead playing rabbit as we sat at the light. Half Ride Dave Carroll who got a late start joined us at the light as well. Well Dave went to the front as we started up Langley and put the hammer down as usual. We were in the mid 20's as we finished the slight uphill near the park and just accelerated from there. Dave was leading with Vortex, Big Motor Keith, Left Lane and Bad Half Chuck in the lead group with the others missing the wheel. Vortex took over as we headed to Spanish in the 30 mph range. As we turned onto Spanish he pulled over and incited us to send someone to the front to keep our small group ahead of the others, but we were all a bunch of toasted "Refusers". So the pace slowed down and the rest of the riders rejoined as we started down Maygarden.
I think Dave Carroll did the first pull with Mark The Thrill doing a short pull thereafter as we headed toward the Air Terminal gobbling up rabbit Dave in the process. As usual the selfless Big Motor Keith went to the front to do the "suicide pull" toward the finish. Pace was up over 25mph as we went through the Esses with the Big Motor Cranking it out. Around 400 yards from the finish, Left Lane broke to the front for the lead out and kicked it up into the upper 20's leading for a couple 100 yards just waiting to get stomped by the big sprinters. Sure enough around 100 yards from the finish here comes the Vortex (with that big gear up in the mid 30's) blowing by me. I sat up and just watched as Bad Half Chuck & The Thrill went by for 2nd & 3rd as well with Left Lane taking 4th and then the others rolling in. I guess I will have to get one of those little concealed motors from Coolio if I ever want to prevail on the final Maygarden Sprint!!
Anyway it was a great ride and we had a nice group slamming it down Scenic Highway as well to finish up the ride.
See everyone on the road Saturday morning. Rumor (and the Weather Channel) has it that the Gargoyle Point Bridge will be defanged on the Around the Bay ride...Wind out of the Northwest .. thank goodness!! Old Clydesdales with bad knees (ME) have been known to struggle into the usual 15mph headwind on this bridge.
The Left Lane
Thanks for the write up Left Lane!!! See you and everyone else tomorrow morning for the fabulous Around The Bay Loop! As always there should be plenty of peloton antics to go around for all...from the cast of unusual characters which is the Firestone and Summit Group!
Until then...
See you out on the road,
Bob
It May Be Hot, Hot, Hot...
...tomorrow morning's ride anyway!
Hey, sorry for the lack of blogulations this week. I have been out of pocket. The uh, lovely Mrs Graves and myself took some time at the condo on the beach. Gorgeous! The weather was perfect and the water, as always, absolutely beautiful! So, I wasn't really thinking about a bunch of sweaty bike riders.
Our condo is just across the street from Margaritaville Beach Hotel, so we head over on occasion for a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Hey man, "it's Five o'clock somewhere." Yep, nothing like a little change in latitude, change in attitude to refresh the soul. (Alright, I'll stop with the Jimmy Buffet songs)
We did see some fins to the left, fins to the right...
I know, enough already!
Now, regarding tomorrow's ride; Around the Bay Loop, it will be getting hot around mid to late morning. The forecast is for 90 degrees by 11am. However, it is calling for much lower humidity levels, 40 to 50% range. Here's some more good news, nice breeze out of the northnorthwest so the usually tortuous Garcon Point Bridge should be a pleasure with a nice tailwind. The 3 Mile Bridge might be another story though...but by then we're home.
Regardless, we need to start on time and move through our rest stops quickly. It will be important not to be riding any longer than need be, considering the forecast. Remember to drink plenty of fluids along the way. Don't wait to tank up at the rest stops, that's way too long between hydrations. Also, if you are waiting until you feel thirsty, you have waited too long. Drink before you feel the need. Keep topped off!
Tomorrow's route we have ridden probably a dozen times. It is about 60 to 65 miles long and has it all; flats, hills, 8 bridges and many miles of quiet roads. There's plenty of horsepower in the peloton to keep us moving along at a good pace and get us home before it gets too hot. So, the only variable is hydration. Please keep that in mind as we head down the road. Don't want you to be, "...wasting away again at the back of the pack...searching for your lost energy bar...some people say that he didn't hydrate enough...but I know, it's always Coolio's fault!"
Sorry, those Jimmy Buffet tunes really stick in your head.
See you in the morning! Until then...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Hey, sorry for the lack of blogulations this week. I have been out of pocket. The uh, lovely Mrs Graves and myself took some time at the condo on the beach. Gorgeous! The weather was perfect and the water, as always, absolutely beautiful! So, I wasn't really thinking about a bunch of sweaty bike riders.
Our condo is just across the street from Margaritaville Beach Hotel, so we head over on occasion for a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Hey man, "it's Five o'clock somewhere." Yep, nothing like a little change in latitude, change in attitude to refresh the soul. (Alright, I'll stop with the Jimmy Buffet songs)
We did see some fins to the left, fins to the right...
I know, enough already!
Now, regarding tomorrow's ride; Around the Bay Loop, it will be getting hot around mid to late morning. The forecast is for 90 degrees by 11am. However, it is calling for much lower humidity levels, 40 to 50% range. Here's some more good news, nice breeze out of the northnorthwest so the usually tortuous Garcon Point Bridge should be a pleasure with a nice tailwind. The 3 Mile Bridge might be another story though...but by then we're home.
Regardless, we need to start on time and move through our rest stops quickly. It will be important not to be riding any longer than need be, considering the forecast. Remember to drink plenty of fluids along the way. Don't wait to tank up at the rest stops, that's way too long between hydrations. Also, if you are waiting until you feel thirsty, you have waited too long. Drink before you feel the need. Keep topped off!
Tomorrow's route we have ridden probably a dozen times. It is about 60 to 65 miles long and has it all; flats, hills, 8 bridges and many miles of quiet roads. There's plenty of horsepower in the peloton to keep us moving along at a good pace and get us home before it gets too hot. So, the only variable is hydration. Please keep that in mind as we head down the road. Don't want you to be, "...wasting away again at the back of the pack...searching for your lost energy bar...some people say that he didn't hydrate enough...but I know, it's always Coolio's fault!"
Sorry, those Jimmy Buffet tunes really stick in your head.
See you in the morning! Until then...
See you out on the road,
Bob
Friday, August 19, 2011
A Word About Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning we will be doing a practice run of the Pensacola Cycling Classic road race course. This course is one of three stages that we will race four weeks from tomorrow. It's hard to believe it is already time for the race again. This year will be a bigger event than last year's inaugural race. I think we had over 340 riders last year! The only real change of note to this year's race is the location of the time trial stage. This year we are starting it in East Park on Pensacola Beach. This is the big parking lot about a mile east of Portofino. The time trial will be one way heading east on the Navarre Beach road for 5k. (3.1mile) The criterium course will remain the same in downtown Pensacola on Sunday morning.
So, tomorrow morning we will leave the Trailhead behind Truly Spokin' in Milton at 7:30am and cruise out to the course. The ride out to the start/finish is about 15-16 miles. The road race course is 40k (25miles). We will have two rest stops to fill the bottles and tell stories. The total miles for our loop is about 56 miles. We will be taking a different route back to Milton. Should be a fantastic ride! Weather forecast is for some overcast and temps in the 80s. The clouds will be a welcome addition compared to last year's cooker.
I have a few of my Senior Olympian buddies coming over from Destin and parts east to ride with us. I raced with some of the guys last year in Pensacola and this year in Mississippi. Great guys and strong riders. In fact, Jim Convey is a time trial champion from several States and Fred McLaughlin won the General Classification in last year's PCC as well as placed in the top ten in the National Senior Olympics in Houston in June. Both won their age groups in MS. It will be great riding with them again! After the ride we may look to do lunch somewhere with them if you are interested let me know. They have stories to tell.
Also, we will have a "recovery ride" Sunday afternoon at 3pm at Firestone and Summit. This easy spin ride will probably be around 20 to 25 miles and incorporate one stop somewhere. Regardless, should be just what the legs ordered after a fairly difficult effort on Saturday. Come on out!
See you in the morning and as always...
See you out on the road,
Bob
So, tomorrow morning we will leave the Trailhead behind Truly Spokin' in Milton at 7:30am and cruise out to the course. The ride out to the start/finish is about 15-16 miles. The road race course is 40k (25miles). We will have two rest stops to fill the bottles and tell stories. The total miles for our loop is about 56 miles. We will be taking a different route back to Milton. Should be a fantastic ride! Weather forecast is for some overcast and temps in the 80s. The clouds will be a welcome addition compared to last year's cooker.
I have a few of my Senior Olympian buddies coming over from Destin and parts east to ride with us. I raced with some of the guys last year in Pensacola and this year in Mississippi. Great guys and strong riders. In fact, Jim Convey is a time trial champion from several States and Fred McLaughlin won the General Classification in last year's PCC as well as placed in the top ten in the National Senior Olympics in Houston in June. Both won their age groups in MS. It will be great riding with them again! After the ride we may look to do lunch somewhere with them if you are interested let me know. They have stories to tell.
Also, we will have a "recovery ride" Sunday afternoon at 3pm at Firestone and Summit. This easy spin ride will probably be around 20 to 25 miles and incorporate one stop somewhere. Regardless, should be just what the legs ordered after a fairly difficult effort on Saturday. Come on out!
See you in the morning and as always...
See you out on the road,
Bob
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