A Windy Weekend

  I wonder how many of us were awakened in the early hours of Saturday by the sound of howling wind and were glad we had not signed up for TOSRV or, had signed up and were dreading the ride.  Mark C organized a ride from his home south of Lithopolis and Jeff S and I met him there for an 8:00am start for a loop down around Circleville and back for our own century ride.  Dan Farley and Jimmy's cars were there, having departed at 7:00am, bound for Portsmouth via a hillier course.  Not there was Flyin Tuna who heard the wind and apparently went back to sleep rather than join us and Craig Butler trying to lose a sinus infection.  

One of my favorite childhood shows was "Space Family Robinson" about a family stranded on an alien planet.  Yes campy, but back in the day..... Anyway, the family robot was assigned the task of following the young Will Robinson around as Will explored the world around him.  When the robot sensed dangerous situations, his arms would begin waving wildly while voicing his concern, "Danger Will Robinson, Danger Will Robinson".  I inquired about the route to Circleville and Mark C gave a reference to not knowing the route exactly, didn't have a map but we would head southwest and try to pick up Peggy's Rocky Road markings from last fall to guide us to the hill on Rocky Road and around Circleville.  Hearing this vague description I swear I immediately began hearing the Robinson robot, "Danger Mark Wilson".  I could easily imagine the planned 100 mile loop falling out at 130.  Doubt about the "plan" began to emerge.  

We headed south on Amanda Northern and then headed west, dead into the wind on Ruff Road.  GOOD HEAVENS!!!!  I lost all desire to continue, turned around and just plain quit the ride.  I'm so tired of riding in the wind.  Turns out Mark and Jeff completed the route with 85 miles so I missed a good workout.  I'm sure those two were gravely disappointed by having lost someone who would have taken monster pulls into the 40mph wind gusts.

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On Sunday, a COP trail run out of Clear Creek caught my eye so I and 8 others gathered for a very hilly, 9.25 mile run on Chestnut, Cemetery, Creekside, Hemlock and back in on Chestnut trail.  1750' of climbing.  The onlu person I knew in the group was Randy Brown, out to supplement his riding regimen.  Sharon Sesler was the run leader and was very helpful giving a good description of the route and what to expect. 

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