A Hilly Route to Somerset

Cindy B organized a hilly route from Heath to Somerset.  Odd that only 6 came out for it but the weather was probably a factor with rain threatening in the early to late afternoon depending on which service was checked.  Matt, Kristian, Katherine and Steve came out. If we were not climbing, we were descending and eventually arrived at a point where a layer or two had to come off.  Above, Steve, riding his cross bike, spotted something in....

....the weeds.  How bout that, a bike.  Walking in there to check it out likely would mean walking out with 100 ticks so I declined the urgings of my fellow cyclists.

A misty, cloudy day as we head east from Fling Ridge Park on Poplar Forks/Mt Perry roads south.

Steve's rear derailleur cable broke, fixing his chain on the smallest sprocket in back. On this route, that would be a problem.  Just then, a tour bus emerged from the gloom, probably lost.

We were unable to fix it and when Steve got onto #668, he was forced to get off and push the bike.  I regret not having that image.

Entering Glenford, what luck!  Jeff's Automotive but alas, the shop was closed.  Next, Steve....

....saw a man and asked if he had a wire or something so he could fix the rear derailleur in a position so at least the chain would be in one of the larger sprockets but the man was unable to help.  Then, what luck!!!

....other cyclists arrived, including Tim F, Eve, Beth, etc...  I was providing encouragement while....

....most of the others socialized across the street.  Nothing solved the "mechanical" so Steve called a friend for pick up and we continued on although now without Kristian and Katherine who had to return.  Now it was down to Matt, Cindy and me as we....

....cruised into and out of Somerset, finishing with 78 miles and 4400' of climbing.