As the green covered the radar, an uneasy feeling crept into my inards. There will be some crazy bike riding fools show up and ready to ride in the rain around the Lake. As I pulled into the DMV praying that no one shows the cars began to appear through the pines. Guess this means I'll have to man up and ride.
A much smaller group than last year, largely in part due to the precipitation I guess. There were 10 brave souls to start the '09 route. I would spoke up for a shorter hour to hour & half ride that was shot down. No takers. A bunch of bad asses I guess. Out numbered we pushed out the DMV around 10. Luckily the temps were around 50* and little to no wind. This would make the ride more bearable.
Along the route no real problems. It wasn't till the turn on Devils Backbone that some fool decided to past us on a tight bride. The a**hole then ran an on coming car off the road. Later a near miss with the fastest squirrel ever. A stop at the traffic circle. Very foggy along Hwy 391, with traffic.
Navigated the back roads of Western Chapin, to hit the special test. The test put us on Stevens Creek Rd. for some dirt road action. The dirt was more like mud and slick red clay. Overall one of the smoother sections of dirt in the area. Heading into Chapin the group kinda exploded into an everyman for himself fomation. Scattered riders heading home up Hwy 176.
Finishing up with th rain still coming down. No one yelled at me so it was a success for the ride. I think the total came to 65 miles in something like 3:20.
2014 Cannondale F29 5, 1st new bike in a decade
10 years ago
4 comments:
Tob,
Man I really appreciate you putting it together! Good times indeed...The wifey had some coffee waiting for me when I got home..hit the spot!(the coffee did)
The dirt road section was good..need more of those in our rides.
The Scott Addict isn't really talking to me right now...kinda pissed off at the moment. I told her it was your fault. Once I squirt a little lube on her, she will be just fine!!!
Toby,
Thanks to you and your fine support crew for a classic NYDR. My epic hangover was matched and cured by the conditions after about the first hour on the road.
My only preference would have been for a rotating paceline behind the motor where permitted by road and traffic. My experience is that a group of riders in an organized formation creates a more favorable impression on motorists and tends to discourage behavior like that exhibited by the idiot in the black Avalanche who nearly took us all (and the oncoming motorist) out while passing illegally on the tight two lane bridge.
As an additional consideration, the rotation creates a more sociable environment for those participating by providing an opportunity to chat as everyone passes each other in the advancing and retreating lines. Its definitely more fun to talk about sharing the suffering in such nasty conditions!
As you know from your ride with Doug and I, my sentiments echo Jamie's re pave' sectors. We have incorporated several new (to us; you've probably been all over them) sectors this year in the course of at least one relatively long (100k+) ride with 20+ sectors at every weekend opportunity.
Thanks again and please let me know if I can be of any assistance in organizing future pave' oriented rides.
Cyclical Life,
Steve
Nah, it was Jamie's crack kills hanging out of the spandex that initiated the sudden blind road rage. At least that's what I hear.
Yes...yes...it is sorta mesmerizing.
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