Anger Management Issues and a Cool Ride

Can't remember driving to a July ride with the car heater on but that's the kind of day it was and because it did not appear a warming trend was imminent, many of us dragged out the arm warmers for the start to this cool, cloudy and windy day. Vacations and fear of the weather brought out only the bravest of the email group, Steve O, Mitch O, Margarita Holt, Larry P, Mark V, THE Tuna and me, all gathered at Granville's Wildwood Park.

We decided to take the counterclockwise direction to what is essentially the Ridge Runner ride, which brought us to the hills north and east of Granville.  Along Martinsburg Road, Larry P flatted and naturally I stopped to keep the local rednecks at bay and help with the fix.  Tuna turned around and watched for a minute or two before becoming bored and shoving off.  Eventually we all made it to Utica but there was a major disappointment when it was discovered the Chocolate Wheel was shut down on Blacksnake Road. Damn it!

We yuked it up at the gas station in Utica before heading up Reynolds Road and worked our way to the base of that good climb on Weaver.  Steve and I battled it out for KOM points but the big dummy didn't know the route (he had failed to study the race bible prior to the start) and missed the turn onto Preston and that steep climb that brings one to the real summit, where the KOM points are awarded.  True, I waited for him to go through the intersection before shouting "right turn" but come on, ya have an obligation to know the route and so I easily beat him to the top and was the day's KOM points winner.  However, Steve, rather than take responsibility for his route failings, tracked me down on the descent, pulled alongside and then veered in front of me!!! What the heck????  Then he did it again and I almost crashed, well, I did have to slow.  Later, while riding along Chattam, he pulled to my left front, turned his bike towards me and slowed, forcing me to give up the comfortable drafting position behind Tuna's wide backside.

Steve has anger management issues.  Don't forget, last year he shoved me into a ditch while riding toward Thornville and earlier this year shoved Jeff S over while Jeff was clipped into his pedals.  I think an intervention may be needed, perhaps Mitch can sit on him while I kick Steve in the ribs a few times.  Anyway, it's time you all get your similar stories about Steve's bad behavior out there so Steve can receive graphic evidence of his behavior.  You'll be doing him a favor so go to the comments section and start typing.  It's for his own good.  Oh, we didn't finish the ride, the cool, cloudy weather turned to cool, cloudy and rainy weather and it was no time to get soaked so we packed it in early.  One more thing, check out this website about a guy riding through 48 states in 48 days, beginning on Monday from somewhere in Ohio.  Dude has to average like 167 miles per day and it's never been done before.  http://www.go48in48.com/tour