Rob Rhodes, too modest to stick around for the awards ceremony, soloed to victory after attacking on Loches Road, 15 miles from the 75 mile route. His closest pursuer, Dustin, aka Old Chubbs, was left to speculate about what might have been. Said a visably disappointed Dustin, "I was caught off guard. He had been waiting for me at the top of each climb so naturally when he gapped me again on that killer climb on Loches, I figured he'd wait, which is the sporting thing to do. But no, he was a phantom, now you see him, now you don't." A day which will go down in the anals of cycling histroy, has come to an end and I have so much more to tell and lots of images.
Oh, for you 66 milers, I apologize for the bad cue sheet. "Ridewithgps" said to make a right off Purity on to Montgomery but in fact, the road was signed for Smith Chapel with the Montgomery turn about 100 yards after turning on to Smith Chapel. I know many of you, including me, kept cruising south but thankfiully, after only 1 mile, you arrived at a stop sign and surely there realized the mistake.
UPDATE #3--A very nice Disney stuffed turtle has been acquired for last place and a giant Disney tiger is set for first place. The turtle has a nice grin on its face while the tiger has a rather serious look but otherwise these will make fine giveaways at Crhistmas to some deserving child, should you not want to keep them for some reason after you finish first or last. Also, Denver Dan is doing well, having just come back from a vacation in Australia. Not sure if he will attend the ride. By the way, Both A, B and C cyclists are welcome and I have heard from cyclists from each category, confirming their participation. UPDATE #2-- Celebrity Alert! Kenda Janet will attend. Yes, although this high powered, corporate executive and high flyer has a very busy schedule and normally does not enjoy rubbing shoulders with the little people, she has confirmed she will attend. Below are the four available routes. Please note I have edited the cue sheets to remove turns that differed from the route. I will have maps and cue sheet at the start. Weather looks to be almost ideal and far different from last year's heat and humidity. Light winds, sun, start temp around 50 at the start time of 8:30am. I've had several out-of-towners call me about the start location. Take #37 into Granville, turn left on Broadway and the Wildwood Park is on the left about 1/2 mile after making the turn. The 50 Mile Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2559430
The 66 Mile Route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2547354
The 75 Mile Route:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2547388
The 100 Mile Route that mirrors the 75 but wuth a 25 mile loop upon returning to Granville:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2553755
5:15--I arrive at the parking lot. No cars around. Begin to feel foolish about arriving so early on an evening when clearly it is going to rain and thus no ride.
5:17--Continuing to feel odd for being the only person in the parking lot, save for a couple of teachers departing, I retreat to the rear lot by the tennis courts so I can monitor who comes (if any) to the forward lot, the normal gathering place for cyclists.
5:18--Began feeling odd that perhaps someone will think this lone guy is eyeballing the cute highschoolers so bring cell phone to my ear to act like I am taking a call.
5:19--Began thinking I probably look like a creeper eyeballing the cute highschoolers while pretending to be talking on the cell phone. Wonder if anyone is calling the police on the creeper so drive back to the front lot and there, in white van, is Pepe LaPew, aka Kevnin H.
5:20--Paul Stock arrives but does not get out of SUV as rain begins. Paul confirms he did leave the comment that he too slid around the Shade's floor but has better balance then Mark W and did not go down.
5:22--Farmer Mike and John Miller roll in. They say radar looks like rain so they soon depart.
5:25--Paul Stock departs but Shannon, the supremo ride leader arrives but stays in truck.
5:35--Dirty Dan arrives in maroon van. He has already ridden 50 miles today so riding again is not high on his list of priorities so he soon departs.
5:36--Kevin H departs.
5:38--I depart
5:41--Shannon sends out emaal saying he thinks all will blow through and ridable by 6"15.
5:41 + 1 second-- I laugh out loud at this fool's optimism.
6:15--I send Shannon an email and ask if his prediction was valid, knowing full well it could not be.
8:15--Shannon email back they rode 48 miles (off the posted route) and had some rain for last 10 miles. I feel like a creepy, foolish dumbass for not hanging around to ride. Heck, nothing unusual about that. Wonder who all rode tonight?
While I wait anxiously for Shannon to post tonight;s New Albany route, for your enjoyment is a pic of Miya, holding the fat penguin for coming in last at last year's GCC. Actually, she was not quite last but close enough and besides, those still out on the road I knew would not be in the mood for this award. Denver Dan, winner of the middle of the pack award from last year's ride, hefting the rough hewn cedar plank with genuine Ohio sandstone rock. Like last year, a middle of the pack award will again be given, along with a last place award and of course for 1st place, a special award maybe cash too.. Couple of updates. Kayla Starr, recently granted Cat 2 status will ride with us Saturday...how about that! I also had a request to create a 100 mile option so I did, well 98 to be exact (the 98 mile route returns to Granville completing 75 miles and then goes west and back to Granville). So, there wil be 98, 75, 66 and 54 mile options. The winners are declared for those riding the 75 mile option except for last place, that goes to the person finishing the 66 mile route, in last place (you can't expect me to hang around forever do ya?). I'll have maps and que sheets at the start but having the route marked is looking uncertain as I'm riding tomorrow evening, the little woman and I have a mixed couple golf league on Friday so....
On a far more serious note, I heard that Dan suffered from a stroke at some point this past winter, I think. Does anyone know anything else? The parking lots just are not the same without his upbeat personality.
The threatening weather kept some away, one of the New Albany Yankees called me from the Canal parking lot where it was raining and decided to head back north and catch an alternative ride. The parking lot dried quickly, the clouds departed and the temperature went from 68 to 85 in a matter of moments. All was good to go well before 6:00pm. Above, from left to right, Dirty Dan, Steve O, Ryan, Brian and Franz. About 35 came out but the "A" group was underwhelming in quality but still, there was Paul Stock and Luke and.....a still recovering Steve O......Pete and Matt Ashmore....... Hmmm, when the New Albany boys don't show up it's pretty thin around here. There he is, David Smith, the King of the COP, Granville Climbing Challenge, stretching out those rarely used cycling muscles but he said tonight there is a 50/50 chance he will be there this Saturday, if not to defend his crown, at least to participate. My favorite pair of brothers, Pete and Matt, with a new phenom in blue, Luke. Have not ridden with Luke yet but they say he has potential. A new guy in red with Katherine and Mark V signing in. "Red" went out with the A group but don't know how well he did. So, we rolled out and I'll keep this short because, while it was a good route to do once in awhile, it was flat with a short and steepish climb in the middle and not much exciting happened, except for Paul Stock's violation of the rules.
Straight east we went and I tried to keep the B group together as much as practical, asking one guy taking a pull to rise from the tuck position in the aero bars, asking a couple of guys to ease up when the shelling of the group got to be too much, asked and was granted a couple of stops for regrouping, etc... Still, on the return to the west there were only maybe 8 of us from a group that started with around 18-20, Brian, Mike M, Katherine, Kevin H, Ryan Roe, Mark C...and then we passed Paul Stock, Dirty Dan and Steve O fixing a flat. Later they caught us and we jumped on and rode at a brisk pace toward Canal.
So, there were three A cyclists in our group. As we approached the Canal sign, Paul Stock exploded from our midst and took the sign sprint, over some of the B regulars. How desperate must "Tood Lee's Brother" be for a win that he is compelled to jump the hapless B group? Finished with 47 miles and a 20mph average. The end of the ride. I probably should not tell this but I fell again. Yep, not from the bike but while walking the hall of Shade's Restaurant. The linoleum must have just been waxed because as soon as my cycling shoes hit the surface, my feel began fishtailing like a car on an icy street. Quickly, my weight went to my heels where the small plastic piece contacted the floor and Bam! Down I went on my back. Quickly, I scrambled to my feet to see if there were witnesses and yes, a patron emerging from the rest room caught the entire episode. I told Mark C and the compassionate one suggested I begin wearing a helmet both on and off the bike. I figure I will have hit the trifecta if next I fall out of bed.
UPDATE: The Lion of Canal, ole Steve O, demanded that I have a 100 mile option and he is correct! There should be one and there will. So, 100 miles, 75, 65 and 50 miles. I've had a couple of people call me, including a recumbent cyclist from PA, asking about the Granville Climbing Challenge for this Saturday. The long route (75 miles and 6100' of climbing) can be found here, with cue sheet and exporting options: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2547388. The route will be marked with 4 available food stops on the long route with shorter options of 65 and 50 miles. Start time of 8:30am out of Granville's Wildwood Park off Broadway. Prizes and food are still being accumulated and collected so I can not yet announce the winner's share or what prize they will collect but rest assured, the prize will be a cuddly little creature not unlike what last year's winner. David Smith held aloft upon being named the winner (let's hope the rule breaking that plagued last year's event will not repeat itself). I understand an alternative route is also available out of Rick Miller's house in Utica, for those wanting a later start time (9:00am) and a route a little farther north of our route. The ride schedule is becoming crowded, which benefits local cyclists.
After a relentless stream of hilly routes from both the Canal and New Albany rides, Tuesday is flat and likely fast. The A route is 49 miles, B route (turning left at New Salem Road) is 43 miles and the C route (turning left at Millersport Road) is 34 miles. You can view or make copies of the route here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2545138. Maps will be at the start, as usual. Also, we've got some great new routes coming, courtesy of Andrew Clayton, who is spending his idle time making routes for us to enjoy, including a 60 miler. One more lastly, I'm getting some feedback from cyclists about the A and B group rides. Everyone expects the A group to ride, ride hard, until the last man, woman, men or women are left at the end. The B group is expected to regroup several times throughout the route. If you want to drop back to the B group and pound those poor devils until you are riding alone, have the courage to go out with the A group, where you'll be riding alone soon enough.
Tym Tyler, preparing for the start of the Big Fat Group Ride, which benefited the Licking County Humane Society. Lot of competition for this ride, the COP ride out of Clear Creek having the unusual start time of 7:15am so I doubt too many showed up for that, Frank Seabody had a tour I think out of Lancaster that drew in Kenda Janet and Mark V, among others, a ride organized by Mark C that passed the large rusty bucket known as Big Muskie and then there was weather radar..... Who is this and why did he follow me for miles and miles? The driver of the SAG vehicle of course. John Sada brought him, along with 3 hired guns, Marco, a Cat 1/Pro, Scotty Moro from Australia and "Mike". They were to support John, pull when needed and try to escort him around to a first place finish. Early in the ride, glancing back, I saw a vehicle behind us so I instictively motioned for it to pass. It pulled alongside and there was the SAG vehicle, thinking I needed something. Too funny when I realized my mistake. I'm not used to that kind of service. Gus and Peggy Cook showed up and while talking with John Marten, told me their main motivation for riding was so they would not get excoriated on the blog for quitting. Hah! I am as much a hypocrite as anyone but given my history, I'd never judge anyone for not riding on a rainy day. The only time I ride in the rain is when I am caught out in it, except for today since radar suggested once we got north and east we'd be in the clear. John Sada in the right and quite unhappy that Marty and Dave C chose not to ride. All his preparations with the SAG and hired guns was in anticipation of a great battle for first place with those guys but as it turned out, Muscle Dude, Gus and Tym provided plenty of competition. Farmer Mike came out for the start but decided not to ride. Given his schedule, probably a good thing he took the day off. Gus on the left, Kym Sada on the right. So, 15 of us at the start, with 10 of the usual serious cyclists, each of whom I think I have already listed. Lisa on the left had to work later in the day so bugged out after about 20 miles. We rolled out into light rain but within a couple of miles, it ended, briefly picked back up later around mile 15 but then stopped for good and at 10:30, the sun poked through and later yet, it was a glorious sunny day with some thin, high clouds. I assumed the hired guns would blast off the front, pulling Tym and others with them but no, it was a true group ride for the first 25 miles into Wilkens Corner, where we ignored the first food stop. Then we hit the hills and I dropped back, eventually emerging into Hanover. Having sophisticated snack needs, I stopped at the market for a Coke and Payday. While sitting in front of the market, Peggy Cook rolled by. Hmmmm, that probably made me in last place for the day but who cares? It's just a tour to ride and enjoy the scenery and route. I caught up with Peggy at the Flint Ridge good stop, thought briefly about taking the 70 mile cut-off but instead, plunged into the hills of Hell by going south on 668. Arrived in Brownsville and continued south, more Hell hills. Just when I thought all was lost, we made a right on Cooperriders Rd, pass through a covered bridge, made a left on Gower Road, passed through a very cool covered bridge, arrived back on 668 and coarsed through more Hell hills, arriving in Somerset, above.
The balance of the ride is a blur of hills but finished with 95 miles and 6400' of climbing. Mean time, up ahead an hour or two, Tym and Gus arrived at the bike path in Newark, for the final 3 miles back to Granville. Since the path was packed with people, they slowed down and were caught by John and the hired guns so I give the "win" to Tym and Gus. I finished with 6:30 and a very healthy 65 minutes of break time so total ride time was around 5:30. Great route and thanks to Tym for organizing.
Farmer Mike, spends more time examining the map then any other cyclist. He was soon thereafter on the phone with Kyle Wingler, guiding him in but I did not see Kyle out on the road. Mike is on a cycling tear, riding most days while winning mountain bike races on the weekend. Dennis G preparing to sign in. Note the flawless late afternoon sky in the background. It was a near perfect time for a bike ride. Quentin (spl?) glides by on the left John on the left, new guy Brady Berg behind him, Paul Stock's shoulder on the right. A very light turnout tonight, maybe as few as 45 cyclists. I know a couple of "B" cyclists have said they are not returning because the "B" group is too chaotic. We'll try to send out two B groups next week but the concern, as always, is no matter what you call the first "B" group, "Super B", "A/B", whatever, everyone heads out with the first "B" group. Kayla Starr made it up for her first New Albany ride of the year and later termed her experience as "awesome". Shannon was in Portsmouth for an event so I filled in and within minutes, lost control of the unruly band of cyclists. I was curious how much climbing we could find at the end of this very hilly route. Climbs up Hardscrabble, Stone Quarry, 661, Hankinson, Dennison campus, ouch. I of course also, as always, wondered how quickly I would get spit out the back but I had one thing going for me, Shannon was not there. It is always helpful to have one of the guys who rotate at the front putting in viscious pulls, out of town. Twenty+ of us rolled out in the A group, including what I thought was a ringer, guy in khaki shorts, T-shirt and satchel around the neck. Paul and I speculated he was a visiting Euro pro sitting in for some fun but he exited the group a couple of miles into the route. We turned on to 161, left on Kitzmiller, right on Smiths Mill and then a left on Beech, where a gap developed already but following Gus' wheel, I was able to bridge. We got on to Jug, taking it out to Mink, a left and a quick right back on Jug. Some where in there Pete C or Terry G unleashed a strong pull yet that down hill stretch that is frequently bombed, proceeded at a genteel pace, which was good. Rolling through Alexandria, we paused for two passing Sheriff cars and a light that cut into our average but we were still in the 23's as we rolled out Raccoon Valley Road, still at a gentlemenly pace, likely because we were approaching the turn to Hardscrabble and that long series of ramps and false flats. Ron Budzig drifted back while saying, "I don't want to get in anyone's way" and all I could think was, "You just put someone in front of you who is going to get in your way."
Of course, upon turning left, the pace accelerated but I managed to hang all the way to the top, following Rich Lewis' wheel with Scott, who rides a Scott bike, the UPS driver on my right. Good company for suffering. We made a right on Northridge and I glanced at my computer, "18 miles" and I contemplated dropping anchor since Stone Quarry was approaching. I hate that road! We rolled along the series of bumps, tore through the descent, navigated the mild turns across the bridge with Dave C pulling at the front. Hitting the final longish hill, I was ok at the bottom, red lights flashing in the middle, hydraulic fluids pouring from every orifice near the top and exactly at the moment I was about to pop, I felt a shove in my back, which helped a lot. My good friend Dave C gave me the nudge I needed to hang in there. What a guy!
We approached New Burg, which was the turning point for the B route, sensing I was not long for the A group, I headed right, finishing a 23 mile effort. I rode into Granville where I spotted Crazy George riding the opposite direction and then as I approached Beechwood, across from Wildwood Park, here came Kayla, John, Dennis, Farmer Mike, Axel and a few others, screaming down the hill. I was thrilled that I would not have to solo in and it gave me an opportunity to ride with the Super B group. You know what I discovered, they don't ride quite as fast as the A group. Yep, quite the revelation. Finished with 44 miles and a 22.2mph avg, benefitting greatly from the shelter of the B group the last 18 miles or so. The A group finished with 48 miles, 1800' of climbing and an average I think at 22.9 or 23. I forget exactly what I was told. After the ride, we mingle for a few minutes. Madness, sheer madness I say. It's Tuesday Canal rides that are supposed to be hilly not New Albany. I mean come on!!!! Up Hardscrabble then on to Stone Quarry, then Dennison U climb??? No one will come out alive from this climbing cauldron of fire. Sorry for the hyperbole. To see more, go to Shannon's site at: http://hfpracingnews.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/new-albany-cop-ride-thursday-may-16-2013/ Wait just a minute. Shannon is supposed to be out of town and I am to step in. Hmmmm.... maybe I'll alter the route so we'll go back and forth to Alexandrian via #161 a few times instead...
Big news to report. David Smith, on the left, a parent now, has ridden little and unable to defend his title of King of the Granville Climbing Challenge ride. This ultra fun lark through the peaks and valleys north and east of Granville, is on the 25th of May and should be on your calendar of things to do. Great prizes (kind of sort of), doughnuts at the start (may be a day or two old with a bite taken out of them), prize for first, middle and last place finishers, coveted stuffed animal for the winner (I still have to shop at K-Mart for it), challenging route, etc... On the right, Pete Rose makes an appearance. Nick on the left, in need of cash to support his pilgrimage to a WI race (details below). Nick was performing wheelies in the parking lot but I was too slow or the wheelies to quick, to get a good image. Pete Ashmore (or is that Matt), on the right. Everyone heads to the shady spot after readying themelves for tonight's brutal route. Katherine on the left just bought a home in Granville. Sounds like a great location, near Wildwood Park. Cyclists elbowing for position to sign in or check the route. Good turnout of around 40-42. Remember Nathan, aka Recumbent Dude who accepted a job in San Fran and moved he and family out there? Have not seen his brother-in-law Dane since last year but he made a surprise appearance, in the center. Dane assures me the reason Nathan does not return phone calls and reply to emails is because he is too busy. Now that's a new one. Only a couple of the New Albany boys came down, Jon Morgan and Rich Lewis but that was enough to stampede many of us into the B group. Maybe 12 rolled out with the A's while the B group had 25 and quite a few C's, including two new ones. After exiting the parking lot and pausing at the light, Mark C looks back to see if I am still there. Trying to stay somewhat fresh for the New Albany punishment, I hung back and enjoyed the company of Ryan Roe on all the climbs, or whoever else would fade, which was always Ryan. Good route tonight, although with the strong SW winds, I should have switched the direction since the first half was flat down to Amanda and then uber hilly on the return. We finished with 43 miles and 1950' of climbing, probably 1500' of that in a 15 mile stretch that included the awesome climb on Delmont past the old pig farm, Crumley, Coonpath to Pickerington, etc... I forgot to ask how the A group finished but got to give credit to them for always keeping a token Canal boy with them who can provide turn-by-turn directions.
If you did not read the initial pre-ride report post of Tuesday evening, I made the mistake of inserting a line about dreaming of cyclists as I went to bed, which precipitated the first few comments you see below.
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