A Dark & Stormy Canal Ride

5/2/2012

I showed up at 4:30 tp participate in the Oxley/Clingan warm up ride, thinking that may be, given the forecast, the only opportunity to ride. Upon returning to the parking lot, Steve H predicted rain by 6:00pm. Mark and Karen Rossi hopped out of their van and said Jim Gynal (spl?) said no rain until 8:00pm. After viewing radar screens on various phones, it looked to me that we'd get hit around 6:45-7:00pm, so I sat this one out....

....but others signed in, totaling 30, including Jon Morgan making the drive down from NA on the left, Paul Stock, .

We decided to abandon the official route which included the climb up Delmont past the old pig farm, a classic. Instead, the group was to head south while keeping a wary eye to the west and as soon as the sky appeared the least bit threatening, either turn around or head east to Amanda Northern Road and come back in. Here, Mitch T, Poobah, Andrew C, Mark C, Steve O and Euro-Patrick are poised to launch from the parking lot. Patrick entered his first mountain bike race last weekend, finishing 4th. Mark and Andrew, last Thursday, rode 200 miles in the cold and mist, including 3 hours after sunset. Ahhh, to have a job where one works but one day a week.

The group arrived back at the parking lot at 7:00pm, just missing the wind with a 22mph avg for the lead group.
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5 Comments

Ryan R

5/2/2012 02:24:25 am

Since Mark W. didn't actually ride, I'll go ahead and provide a ride report...

About 20 A's left the parking lot and headed out Waterloo to Slough, to Sitterly. The group was mostly intact as we turned west onto Marcy Rd. There was some discussion about turning around due to the ominous skies, but the group continued west.

As we approached Cedar Hill Rd, there was much shouting and swerving as the group split in two, with half turning south on Cedar Hill and the other half attempting to return north on the closed portion of Cedar Hill Rd. I'm not sure how that worked out since I went with the southbound group.

After turning south on Cedar Hill, someone went to the front and drilled it and our group of 10 was all stretched out with everyone trying to grab a wheel. By the time we reached Royalton Rd, the group of 10 had been split in half. Both halves turned east on Royalton Rd and returned on Amanda Northern Rd.

As we turned north on Amanda Northern, I was pathetically dropped on the first hill and by the time I crested the last of the rollers, the group was about 3/4 of a mile ahead of me.

As punishment for being dropped, I had to endure about 5 minutes worth of rain on Slough and Waterloo, but was able to ride out of the rain on Waterloo Rd and returned to CW on dry roads. By the time I had my bike packed away, the rain began to fall.

Steve Hewitt

5/2/2012 03:24:32 am

Ryan,

It is very nice of you to refer to Eve, Beth and I as A cyclists and it was good you hung on so long. Once Eve went to the front and "drilled it", as you say, we regretted dropping you and especially unhappy that you got wet. In the future, we will throttle back so you can hang with us.

Steve

Corvair

5/2/2012 04:00:19 am

Thanks to Jeff S. as he waited for me on Sitterly and dragged my butt back into Canal after the As dropped me!

Jeff s

5/2/2012 06:58:23 am

We have to make sure the ride leaders get back in good shape. The rest of us would be lost without someone bringing us maps and sign up sheets!

Cindy

5/2/2012 04:16:42 am

Gosh, someone working 1 day a week doubles what you currently do. Not sure I understand your comment.

A Dark & Stormy Canal Ride

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