The Fall HOOT ride brought out a large contingent from the Cycling Club but not many others.  Milt is tightening his shoes while Chris I and Michael L await the official go time of 8am.

Eva on the right is recovering from a torn meniscus while Janet, dressed for comfort, hurriedly dressed after this shot so she too could make the aforementioned go time.

Kirby leads a group toward the front of the school entrance where others join and when we begin we have....

….25 headed out in a compatible group. Gus Cook marveled at the broad mix of current and former headliners who attended.

Way in front, on the left, in the bright orange jersey is the "Great Pumpkin", so named by Gus.  I first called him a "Jack-o-Lantern" but I like the GP name better.  I regret not getting a closer image as we cruise through glorious sunshine and a relatively flat route other than the middle portion.

We paused at a market in Millersport and collect any who had dropped off the pace.  Then....

….we got back on the route.  At some point, we got really strung out which caused alliances to be formed between the remnants of our once great group.  I eventually got in with the Rossi tandem, Larry & Lisa, Mitch and Dean.

Here comes the Rossi tandem and eventually, we finished with 64 miles and me with a 17.8 average.  Good day to be on the bike.

Here are two options for Saturday, not to mention that if you go to the New Albany Starbucks at 7:30 and hang out, you will likely find a group with whom to ride prior to the clock ticking 8am.  First, COP has the "Fall HOOT" ride. A group will depart at 8am, a variety of paces.  I think Marty will be there, the Kendas, Fairfield County Boys, etc.. Come out and represent the Northern Yankee team.  $5 for members of COP, $10 for non members.
Bloom Carroll High School 
5240 Plum Rd, Carroll, OH 43112
Take US 33 East from Columbus to the Winchester Rd NW exit, turn left at the light at top of the ramp.  Turn right onto High St and take into town of Carroll.  High St will turn into Plum Rd as you pass the Subway and the school is on the left shortly after.
Start is between 7:30 am - 9:00 am.
The short route (34 miles) is relatively flat with ~2000' of climb on the mid (65 miles) route and >4000' climb on the century (102 miles) route. 
I think these are the routes but can't guarantee it.  COP has a silly policy of sending the gps file on Friday night to those who have registered.  For those of us who pay on the day of the ride, we are out of luck.  
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26048313
​https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26048155
​

Then there is this option.  They say the ride is free but I understand there is a $15 fee to enter the Festival.
Join us for this gorgeous 55-mile road ride on Saturday, Sept. 15. The ride starts and ends at the 2018 Ohio Pawpaw Festival, taking you from Albany on a circle tour around Zaleski State Forest. Enjoy challenging climbs, ridgetop views and sweet downhills, all along the Raccoon Creek Watershed. A rest stop awaits you at the halfway point. There is also a shorter 20-mile loop option.

On-site rider registration will be at the festival from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - get started on the ride any time during those hours. The rest stop will be set up until 2 p.m.

The self-guided, self-paced ride is free for your enjoyment, sponsored by Athens Bicycle and featuring some of owner Peter Kotses' favorite roads. The ride includes a course map, marked turns on the roads and the aid station. Afterward, riders can choose to enjoy the festival (admission fees apply). Visit the Pawpaw Festival website for full details on the festival. https://www.ohiopawpawfest.com
Lake Snowden
5900 US HIGHWAY 50, Albany, Ohio 45710

The temperature moved into the 80's so many moved into the shade.  Including Bill, the 2nd from the left.  A month or two ago, I was at Brio while my wife shopped at Easton.  I talked to the bartender, who was giving generous pours, and discovered he was a cyclist.  Naturally, I encouraged him to show up for our Thursday ride and so he did.

Making a rare appearance was Garth P and a 2nd time for Todd Lee who says he will be here for the next Thursday ride too.

Good sized group of around 55, surprising for how few miles we can ride now.  With Steve Hewitt out for the season as the C ride leader and his back-up Jim R out for today, I volunteered to fill in.  Out went the Riveters, then the A, then the B and then 4 of us comprised the C group.  

Getting out of here increasingly is problematic.  It was 6:12 before my group actually left the town behind because one of us crashed while trying to stop and another had a drop chain and the traffic...yikes.  I should have interpreted this as a sign.  The gap between each rider is large enough to drive a heard of giraffes.  They are uncomfortable riding too close so 4 people, each taking a pull.  We arrive at York and turn left into Alexandria.....

….Bill suddenly stops and I ask why, he yells "I have a flat".  This by itself should not have been a problem even though he did not announce he had a flat, just stopped.  I slow to a stop, dismount, lean my bike against the bridge railing and hear "oh no!"  Turning, I catch a cyclist from our group headed at me!!!  I mean, what the heck???  He was 4th in a line with enormous gaps between each of us.  Obviously, I had time to slow, get off my bike so more than ample time for him to adjust.  Anyway, I squeeze against my bike and watch the inevitable crash.  With hindsight, I may have had time to jump the railing into the creek but who thinks about that?  He dislocated a finger but immediately, a doctor stops and straightens it, offers to take all of us back.  What a guy!

Bill and the guy who ran me over accept the offer.  I and Beth head back, eventually passed by the Riveters and a split A group.  It was late twilight when all of us returned.  Glad we start next week at 5:30pm.  The Riveters covered the 38 mile route with a 23.4 average, the A group was around 22mph as some got in with the Riveters while others hung back, the B group was at 20.5 on their 31 mile route and the C group, as I can attest, was at 15mph. I have some general soreness and minor road rash but the bike and me are ok!  Two Saturday ride options coming soon.

The effervescent personality of Peggy Cook rolls in and immediately the group is happier, although they do not look it but they are. John B survived the 54 mile rainy "Dry Run" ride on Sunday without contracting pneumonia. Nor did the others.  Steve on the left, bordering on cocky now that he has 7 forecasts correct in a row but who is counting.

The Tuesday crowd is the latest arriving crowd in cycling history.  Five minutes until 6pm and you'd think you will be riding solo and them a happy swarm of bees descends.  Will Paskett, in the middle of the camera smudge, came out for his first ride post crash.  A heavy bandage protects some serious road rash.

So late is the arriving crowd, some actually arrive late but we were glad to wait for Mike M as he hurriedly pumped air into a tire.  Lot of discussion about modifying the route as we doubted we would arrive back prior to a sure to be, early onset of darkness.  John B came up with the solution and it cut our route from the usual 38 to 34 miles. 

We regroup at the top of the Battee Road climb. Good heavens, my fitness level is deteriorating so rapidly I think I was the last to arrive.  Oh well.  Rather than make the usual turn right, we turn left and then a right on Corner and a left on Raccoon Run and then.... 

….a left on Stone Quarry where we regroup for a 2nd and final time.  Kristie in a colorful outfit held the key, literally, to our post ride enjoyment.  A trunk full of delicious cookies.  Doug McConaha on the left worked at Veloscience all day as Geoff is out of town.  I asked if he made any big sales and he said he did but could not find the items in the system so had to give the stuff to the customer for free (Kristie so probably she will pay eventually).

It was kinda dark when we started and now getting darker as we head back to the barn.  Arriving at the corner of old 161 and Kitzmiller we were greeted by a spectacular view that the combination of the smudge and road bouncing produced....

….a really poor quality image but use your imagination.  We finished with a 20.3 average.  Next week, a new start time of 5:30pm.

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!  Hurricane Florence projected path.  Wonder if it will turn northeast and not impact our weekend weather?

There I sat, bored, Sunday morning.  The Dry Run route was close to home so I drove to Sportsman Club Road and picked up the route.  Heading counterclockwise, I crossed the above stream on Nichols Road and turned right on Concorde.  Here came a group so I turned around and waited a minute to catch them at the crossing.

It was Don N, John B, Chris I and two others.  This would not be the only wet crossing and I noted during my brief drive on the route, there was a lot of debris spread on the roads too.

Don turned around to talk and.....

….John B used the stop to wring water from his gloves.  Chris told me about a rather unpleasant wind they encountered going east but now they were headed north and soon to have a tailwind, although a cold one.

What an unusually wet cycling season we have had.  The water was well out of many stream banks including the above.  I got my feet wet getting back to my car!  

Another Thursday, another evening under threat of rain.  I fielded a call from one alarmed cyclist, Decent Dan, who said he was going to stay local so he would be close to home in case of rain.  I had to bring out the big guns, the "man card" assaults and was thus able to convince him to come.  The parking lot was not looking good for a good turnout as Jon and Kim await the shove off time.

Scott Billman on the right describes participating in a Masters race at Newmark, OH.  Scott led all the way around but rather than gift him the 1st place finish as a show of gratitude, some one came around and nipped him at the line.  Mitchell and Paul Kilroy finished 1,2 in the Cat 4/5.

And then, with a few minutes to go, people swarmed from all directions and we had a good sized group after all.  On the left, Scott E just back from Italy, Kevin, Kristie, Milt, Chris I, Michael and oh yeah, Steve who once again nailed the forecast of no rain.

I clung desperately to the A group but as the left turn onto Raccoon Run approached, indicating the point where the B route departed from the A route, Jon and me left the group.  We made the obligatory left on Stone Quarry and then waited at the top of a climb to see who arrived first from the A group.  H&H led the charge.

A slight gap and then came the others.  I shouted encouragement but they did not seem to need that. We waited for the B group and soon, they too approached led by....

….Mike M, then Ron, followed by a host of others.  We jumped onto the tail and began the western return.

Thickening clouds supported by a hidden sun made the return dark.  Jay and Jon lead the way as we wondered if we would arrive prior to the rain or the setting sun.  We just made it.  I with a 20.4 average, the B group with a 20.2, the A group at 22!  The Riveters with a 23.8 average.  The Saturday ride option coming.....

Monday morning, 8:00am, from the Philip Heit Center parking lot in New Albany, there are two ride options.  Westerville Bicycle Club has their usual morning ride with a time change of 8 to accomodate the day's heat.  A legit C-B paced ride.  The route is: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28504241?beta=false Also, Don N is leading a ride at the same time, same place for 60-70 miles but no route available.  All are welcome to either ride with Don's at a faster pace then the Westerville group.

Sixteen of us gather on a great morning for a ride that can be squeezed in before the Buckeye game if you are so inclined.  Some of the usual suspects were absent, no doubt preparing to attend the game or getting an early start at the bar.

We roll out, navigate the twists and turns of New Albany and are soon.....

....a rambling wreck from Georgia Tech.  OK, not exactly but had to work in the football reference.  Brent on the right, trailing Kyle and French Climbing Machine.  We were approaching my turnaround point, 25 miles distant from the parking lot when.....

....Kim discovered she had a slow leak in the rear tire.  I would have thought.....

....Decent Dan would leap at the opportunity to burnish his bona fides as a decent man but no, he kept his distance.  Instead, it was....

....Gus who gave the assist.  Happy to have not missed the excitement, I headed back, although reaching Gale, I gave up on the full return had convinced my wife to drive me back!  Finished with a mere 35 miles.  Well, Monday ride option coming...

Ron Moody on the right, returned from various locals where he hiked with Paul K and then with family.  Of course, 2 weeks off the bike and you lose Rivet fitness so he slotted in with the A group along with Paul and....Marty??  I didn't think I'd see Marty in the A group until he was 70.

Rich Lewis on the right while the H&H gang was out in full force.  They even went out with the Rivet group!  Good for them for giving it a try.

CBO (Chief Baking Officer) in the distance.  Many watch from a distance to see if there will be any pre-ride distribution but we have to wait until the end of the ride.

Steve Hewiit on the right, making his final appearance as our group's C ride leader.  He received a rousing round of applause.  Then he said something nice about my and Rick's efforts and I could hear crickets chirping in the bushes.  I will lead the C group for the remainder of the season and revisit the applause meter.

After making a couple of comments about being predictable when doing lane shifts and entering the group, off the Rivets go and then the A group.  We exit out the back entrance as the front is a cluster.  The pace was pretty sporty but I clung on.  However, I had my doubts I could do so to the end of Sportsman and our only regroup so.....

.....I turned at Corner to get on the B route and wait.  My average was 22.3 to that point.  I began to wonder if the B group had orchestrated a route adjustment but finally heard some voices in the distance and.....

....here they came, led by Andrew and Noel, who flashed a thumb's up.

Although my average speed took a small hit on the run into New Albany, I still finished at 21.3 while the Rivets held a 23+ average , the A group was 22.3, the B group was 19.6 and the C group, of which there were around 5, finished with 13.8.

And then the highlight of the Thursday's, gathering around Kristie while pretending is is for the treats when in reality it is to bask in the glow of our CBO.  Saturday ride route coming soon.

We line up and wait our turn to roll out of the parking lot.  More to come on our hot, humid & windy ride.

Surprised that so many came out for a relatively flat , circumnavigation of Buckeye Lake but we were glad so many did.  One exception was Marty, who shut his thumb in the car door the night before.  I examined the thumb and sure enough, an ugly purple confirmed the injury.

We had a good range of fitness for the ride.  Rich Lewis, Doug M, Todd Fry at one end, me on the other so there was a place for everyone.  Twenty-two of us rolled out and eventually reached....

....Pataskala.  As we waited for the light to change, I asked Doug if he would have trained differently for his France adventure.  Someone confirmed that he would have as he peaked 2 weeks prior to the event and then again, 3 weeks after it.  Funny.  We headed east and entered.....

....Heath where the highlight was seeing a sign for Lion's Den.  We lost French Climbing Machine about here and some speculated he had borrowed Don N's VIP pass for entry into the retail establishment.

Back out into the countryside we went, reaching the farthest point east, then going south and then headed back west.  There was some talk among the back of the packers about stopping in Thornport at a market but I failed to travel the vast distance to the front of the packers to alert them and so we steamed by.  Alas, Larry & Lisa thought we had stopped and they circled the parking lot a couple of times waiting for us but got back on route and caught us in.....

....in Millersport, at mile 45.  We discovered plenty of signs on the road advising of a cycling event and we figured out the "Tour of Buckeye Lake" was this same day.  It caused some confusion for deputies at intersections who saw us approach and assumed we were part of the event.  I am not one who enjoys publicly calling out a fellow cyclist but.....

....Rich Lewis....C'mon Man!  Parking your bike in front of the bench.  Gus was able to squeeze in there but the rest of us found cinder blocks or the ground on which to sit.  Finished the 73 miles with a 19.4 average.

Not since the days of Magellan, Balboa, etc... has anything so audacious been attempted but tomorrow is the day!  We shall depart from New Albany with provisions, maps, favorable winds and wampum to circumnavigate Buckeye Lake.  Survivors will receive a medal and lands in Scotland.  8:00am from the usual parking lot in New Albany. B pace with a couple of regroups but for those who want to go faster, have at it. The route:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28432682

​

Todd Lee, aka "Grand Poobah" finally found a Thursday route to his liking and joined us on a fabulous evening for a bike ride.  Katherine G shows her support for his appearance.

Mark V, traveling for the next 2 weeks will be absent from the rides.  He thanked me for being such an average ride organizer.  Thanks buddy!

Paul Stock on the left, upon seeing Todd Lee commented, "It's like seeing Sadquatch."  How true.  Todd used to come to all the Thursday rides but now lives too far to the south.  That and our rides are too fast and too hilly, except for today.

Ken Buddell would lead a very fast Rivet Group that would finish with a 25.4 average for the 42 miles.  

Decent Dan will also be gone for 2 weeks, vacationing in Italy.

A good group of Riveters rolls out but wait, is that Jon Morgan in black, facing them and hanging back for the A group?!?  Nooooooooo.

Actually, it was Jon and he did ride with us but behaved himself so we had no reason to complain.  Getting out of the parking lot was a problem and after waiting and seeing several cars would be attempting to turn left, we headed out.....

....in a different direction.  It seemed like a nervous group as our 25 navigated flat and narrow roads to the north. I always got a bad draw when it was my turn to take a pull, Will P and Paul Stock.  I didn't last long.  Our group toured the route with a 22.4 average.  I heard there was a "skirmish" in each group.  Brief flaring of tempers.  People taking a spot in the line without indicating they would do so, guy constantly fidgeting with his sound system, people coming off the front and lingering rather then heading to the rear, guy not taking long pulls (opps, that is me) but at the end......

....it was all good as we converged on the CBO's (Chief Baking Officer) car. Then things got even better as some of us moved.....

....to the Mushroom for a beer and pizza.  Probably 15 of us stopped and had to gather tables to accommodate our number.

Kurt brings out another round of pitchers of beer, reminding me of the last time I was in.....

.....Munich, which happened to coincide with their Oktoberfest.  

Jay P pours yet another glass as he, Peggy and Deneice conspired to keep me well beyond my curfew.  Good times with good people.  Saturday ride option coming soon.

Some how, some way, we again avoided the rain, mostly.  Above, the H&H team was out in full force, including the founder who was visiting from New York.  I asked what was holding them back fro, becoming a domestic pro team.  Talent maybe?

Steve drove by with protection.  However, he did not ride with us and neither did.....

.....Ric who took a last look at radar and bailed on us.  Of course, I bailed too so...

Gus arrived and addressed Jonathon on the left, John and Jon.  How about that?  They chose the....

....43 mile route and rolled out into dark skies and sure enough.....

.....it rained, producing a prominent rainbow that went from horizon to horizon.  I guess they got around the route with no other rain, sporting a 20.5 average.  I suspect this is the last of the long route for this season.

Rich L, Scott B and Isaac, left to right.  One of them was celebrating his 62nd birthday today.

Yet another day started by looking at weather radar but Steve Nelson is on a hot streak with 2 good forecasts in a row (that after a cold streak of 5 forecasts badly missed but no one is keeping track).  There were 30 of us who rolled out from in front of Starbucks.

We did a quick cut through the parking lot to whisk anyone up who was confused about the start location.  Then, on to the wet roads that dried quickly so other then dodging dead worms flung up from various tires, it was a good day.

We regrouped a couple of times, once after a climb and once after our group could not cross #16 together and then, on Beaver Run Road....

....we found the Tylers, thus setting off a celebratory greeting.  Lisa T has had a long recovery from a broken hip caused by an SUV backing over her as it exited a drive way!

Then, since there was perhaps an unprecedented turnout of ladies for today's ride, they all gathered for a group picture.  I was glad to be there to take this one. You don't see this very often during a group ride.

We climbed Canyon Road and on the way down, Peggy shot me "the Stare".  Note the nice scenery too.

We actually went east of Granville prior to circling back and entering the village where.....

....relaxed for a few minutes with Bill, Mark, Noelle and Farmer Mike doing so too.  We got back out on the road and finished with 64 miles and an 18.3 average.  Really fun day on the bike and thanks to everyone for coming out.

From in front of Starbucks or the Philip Heit Center parking lot (either place you gather you will be swept up) at 8:00am, B pace with a few regroups.  Route is: ​https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28373248

Our meteorologist on the right, spent most of the pre-ride time strutting around like a peacock because like a blind squirrel, he found an acorn.  Ha, ha.  Actually, he nailed the forecast better than any area forecasters did.  Good job buddy!

Sooo, I walk into an Italian eatery, Palumbos in Granville to pick up dinner for this evening.  They are giving away cases of beer.  Naturally, I accept and the first person I see who looks like a beer drinker, I give the case to him, Decent Dan.

A ringer?  No, just a guy who headed out with the C group.  Steve H was absent as C ride group leader but Jim R filled in.

Out of habit, Jon, Mick, Craig, Paul and Drew gather in the shady spot even though it was cool with a very thick cloud cover.  That it did not rain this evening is kind of remarkable.

The Rivets had only 4 so they went with the A group, comprised of around 15 people.  Too few cyclists to form two B groups so about 20 of us head out.  

Thresher Street thrashed us as usual and then we regrouped at the bottom of Ebaugh Drive in the Denison campus. Peggy on the left, Ron Budzig on the right.  Really good group of folks that are a major reason why our rides are fun.

Then it got a little odd.  I was unjustifiably blamed for giving Jay P a stare when I went around him on a climb last week.  So, this evening, he gave me a prolonged stare while descending Battee Road.  That is a first.  We finished with a 20mph average while the Rivets, pulling away from the A group on Cable Road, finished with a 22.5 average and the A group finished at 21.3mph average. Saturday ride option coming soon!

On the drive home, I saw a calf outside a fence.  Another driver had stopped to try to contact the farmer who owned the property and cows.  Would not want to hit that with the front of my car.

Another ride impacted by looming rain to the west and a less than upbeat forecast.  Quite a few bailed on the ride and I don't blame them.  Only 11 of us came out but not a slouch in the group other than me.  I continue to encourage real B cyclists to show up but only super fit ones come out.  Where are the other schleps of the peloton?

I finally figured out who on Strava is known as "Commander Char", on the left with Deniece on the right.

Steve Nelson had a Go Pro mounted so he could catch anything worthwhile but he should have turned it on prior to leaving the parking lot as....

.....Jonathan on the left, wearing his new Cycling Club jersey, toppled to the curb at the exit of Wildwood Park.  Always embarrassing, falling in or coming out of the parking lot.

We were headed to Peggy Sues, northeast of Bladensburg but the beer fueled exuberance of the Thursday post ride gathering had faded by now and the long route was abandoned in favor of making Bladensburg the farthest point from the start.  Still, the group got in a good 64 miles while I went with Mark V who wasn't doing all that great and wanted something shorter, 51 miles.  I will continue to ride at an easier pace but may ramp things up in September.  There is an event in Silver City, NM that I probably will do, the Gila Monster Gran Fondo.  I hear it is a beautiful, fun, October event.

Departing from Granville's Wildwood Park off West Broadway, 8:00am, choosing one of two routes of 94 or 71 miles.  Routes are: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28311996 and https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28310366.  The long route includes a brief stop at Peggy's Sues Steak & Ribs where you can eat pie!  There will be a group heading out for a solid B/B+ pace but selfishly, I would enjoy something a bit slower and enjoy being on the bike rathear than grinding.  We'll see who shows.  I know the solid B group will be well represented.

Good turnout on a fantastic evening for a bike ride.  The brilliant sun forced many into the lone shady spot, as usual.

Jim R performs some stretching exercises prior to the ride.  The C group again had only 2-3.  Can't figure that one out, especially since Pelotonia is over.  

Jonathon waits for Peggy to arrive so he can buy a Cycling Club jersey.  Sounds like all we have left are unisex size "L" and one "XL"  I suppose I could begin making suggestions here about who ought to buy the XL. 

Gus Cook rolled up wearing his new brilliant white shoes.  He thought he ordered black so quite a stark difference but he looks good in them. Someone said the shoes looked effeminate on him, I differed.

The Rivets rolled out with a good group and then a very large A group, 24-25 got going.  Craig on the right, bravely tried his luck with the Rivet group last week and I got a round of applause tonight for his effort.  I encouraged all A cyclists to go out with the Riveters one time just to experience the stark difference in speed.  Jon Hasting on the left, slumming tonight because he has a 100 mile trail run in Leadville next week.

There were two points at which to leave the Rivet/A route for the B route, one in Alexandria at Mounts Road and the other, going through Alexandria (above) then out Raccoon Valley.  Then, left on the Harscrabble Road climb and then hang a right at Corner Road while the A route went left.  Gosh, I am fading fast this season as I dropped anchor about halfway up Hardscrabble and eagerly jumped in with the fast B group on Corner.

We worked our way into Granville, then the Denison U campus and began the Ebaugh Road climb.  Ron (above on right) set a pace none of us could match. I tried and tried and was gaining on Jay P (on the left) who was being a good guy and gifting us the mountain top finish. I may have shot him a brief sideways glance but while we waited to regroup, he claimed I gave him "The Look"....yeah......

......referring to the above famous stare.  I swore I did not as it would have been disrespectful to one of the legends of our group.  Geesh, one must be so careful not to inadvertently offend out here. I set a new PR on the climb but so far from the best of 42 seconds.

We headed west, on Moots Run and then old 161.  Around Mink Road, the A group caught us and we blended in and enjoyed the draft.  It was a little chaotic with Larry P (of all people!) attempting to pass our group on the right but otherwise it was all good.  The Riveters finished the 45 mile route with a 23.8mph average , the A group finished with 21.8mph, the Fast B's with 20mph and the regular B's with a 18.7mph average.  My blend of A and B was 21.1mph. ok, Saturday ride plans coming.

Ho hum.  It is raining again for our Tuesday ride.  I spot Jeff S in his white van so I am not alone.  Not that it matters of course.  I am here to provide most of you with evidence that you made a good decision not to come...but wait!

Ron and Sokah arrive and make use of their hatch backs as it continues to rain.  Steve N comes by, he the provider of an assurance the rain would be gone by 4, then revised to 6:00pm.

Then the Cooks arrive with Peggy wearing a rain jacket. At this point, we are in light sprinkles with improving light to the southwest.

Don had it all going on except fluids but there were plenty of people who stepped up with a full bottle.  I offered him an empty one. 

Geesh, more people came and so 22 of us formed a quorum and headed out.  One thing though.  A cyclist suggested that exiting via Market, rather than using the two lights is a problem.

Seven of us got out ahead of the rest and the balance of our group was so far behind.....

....we had the earliest regroup in history at Beech Road.

David leads the pack and we are together again.  Heading east via 161 on our 43 mile route we are gaining......

....on the just passed storm as we hit 310.  The pavement is wet, I lose interest and turn around, finishing with 17 miles.  The others made it around and I don't think they got wet from above, just a little from below.

It was early and already hot and muggy.  Larry P has applied the base coat of sun screen and now just needs to rub it in.  Or, he just likes the stuff in splotches.

Eleven of us head east on Concorde.  Unbeknownst to us, a group of seven led by Steve N is steaming from the south but alas, they got a late start and missed hooking up with us by a minute or two.

We reach Bladensburg and stop at the gas station for our first and only break.  We did not arrive together as Jeff had a flat, Larry stopped, most of us pretended not to know and those that did know, were sworn to silence.  Actually, with only a few miles to go, we just figured to regroup in town. Ted bought a huge jug of water that we shared with Isaac and Laura staring into space.  Soon......

.....Jeff and Larry arrive and shun us for awhile.  Not a good idea though, this far from the start so they eventually warmed to us.

We begin our journey back while admiring the idyllic country scenery. We avoided Granville so as not to intrude on the Pelotonia celebration but ended up.....

....sharing part of the route, here on Bell Church Road.  A highway patrol motorcyclist approached, followed by a lone cyclist.  It was quite a while before we saw another cyclist so this guy had a good lead.  I hear Ken Buddell had the fastest time but the person we passed above did not look like Ken.

We left the Pelotonia route but then got back on it, passing many going in the opposite direction. We finished with 68 miles and 3000'+ of climbing.  Good route although a little flat at the end.  Isaac tried to leave us while one of us took a nature break but our combined power was too great and we eventually over took him.  Ha!

An option for those who are not participating in Pelotonia. 8:00am from the gazebo in Johnstown, at the intersection of 62 and 37. B pace with a few regroups but as always, if you want to go faster or slower in a different group, that is good too. Easy way to shorten the route and gain fat while waiting in Martinsburg for the group to come through. May be another ride option posted later, from Hocking Hills.  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28237873

Busy day today so got to put this report together quickly.  Above, the secret restroom.  As far as I know, known only to a couple others.  While you are standing in a long line at Starbucks or rubbing elbows at the Heit Center, this is the place to be.  The cleaning lady does walk in once in awhile though.

Back outside, I begin to prowl the parking lot.  Above, French Climbing Machine talks to Patrick.  If you want to know anything about cycling in France, FCM is the man to ask.  

We had a personable ringer in our midst but as it turns out, he was actually just passing through and stopped to entertain us.  Headed to the farmer's market to go shopping.  Smallish group of 55-60 so out went the Rivets and then.....

....I rolled out with an A group of 22 cyclists.  Paul Djupe was tonight's enforcer of the 1-2 regroups but when I designated him as such, I turned to look and he was wearing a purple jersey.  Real enforcers never wear purple.  Got to give credit to a couple of guys who went with the Riveters but were gobbled up by us on 161.  The gap between our groups is huge. Reaching Granville.....

....with a 23.6 average, the group went up Thresher Road while I went up Beechwood and was able to snap the above image.  Not sure they actually regrouped though.  Hmmmmm, weak enforcement by the guy in purple???  I waited for my B+ group peeps and was soon rewarded.  I hopped in and....

....at a regroup spot, noted that Steve was wearing a new pair of white shoes.  It seems like most people who have white hair also wear white shoes.  I notice my 98 year old mother does this and so too many retirement community people.  Not sure what this means.

We regroup at the end of Stone Quarry during our 44 mile route.  Since the B's were only 25ish, there was only one group.  Made the regroup time a little longer but that is ok.  

We waited for quite awhile at the final light before Ted finally rolled over to hit the cross walk button.  That did not work so we were law breakers, including Christian on the left and kind of new guy Brad on the right.  The Rivets finished with a 24.1 mph average, the A group with 21.7, the B with a 19.9 and my blend of A and B with 20.7mph average.  Got a Saturday ride option coming up soon.

We were good to go at 8:00pm but Alex Y was a little late.  No problem as we patiently wait and get ourselves hyped for what was to come.

Saturday is the very popular "Pedal for Pete" ride.  However, some people would like a hillier alternative so I suggest you send the Pete organizers a check and then join us on a 67 or 87 mile route, departing from the Newark YMCA at 8:00am.  There will be two groups at least.  I plan to ride at a solid B pace with a few regroups.  I know there will be an A group. The routes, your choice, will either be:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27964686

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27712496

At the Tour, the average speed of the winner the last few years has been around 25mph.  At this tour, our tour, the Riveters are in that ball park.  Last night, they covered our 51 mile route at 24.5.  Yikes.  Above, Peggy continues to briskly sell the Cycling Club jerseys with Jon Hastings completing a purchase.  Still a few "M" and "L" sizes.

Shoes have become very stylish the last few years.  I have a new pair on order, solid black of course.  Will Paskett has it all going on in this blue pair.

A flat, with 12 minutes until the start, Mike M's gravel bike.  Flyin Tuna steadies the bike while Don N fixes, Mike watching.  

The numbers were down from last Thursday, probably only 60ish.  Rain was a threat, coming in from the northwest but it stayed away until after we finished.  Kurt on the left, Matt on the right.  Matt likes to take frequent, strong pulls in the A group.  I don't like Matt all that much while I am in the A group.  Ha, ha.

Mitchell rests while talking to Commander Char.  After the mellowness of last week's ride, I had little to say so.....

....off went the Riveters and then the A group, which I was about to join but wanted one last parking lot image.  Just then, Shari jumped into the image. Well, not exactly.

The A group flew around the route into Granville, arriving with a 23mph average.  I bugged out there with Jay P to wait on the B+ group but having waited only about 5 minutes, decided I did not want to go that fast either so....

....I waited a little longer while encouraging Brady as he fixed a flat.  He knew the roads and I judged him competent to carry on without me so when.....

....the slightly slower B group arrived. I jumped in.  So, as previously mentioned, the Rivets had a 24.5 pace, then the A group was at 21.7, the B+ group at 21 and the B group at 19.  My blend of A and B yielded a 20.5 average. Saturday ride info coming soon.