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See if you can watch this and not have your palms sweating by the end. It is from Camino Del Ray in Spain. A 3' wide wakway built into vertical rock wall with gaping holes in the walkway. Government has closed the entrance but rebuilding, a project to take 3 years. Unreal; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGC1qiKowT8&feature=related
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 As some of you may remember, about a year ago I revealed that I was originally from the upper part of Russia and my real last name was Wilsonofski. One of my favorite memories is of a vacation my family took to East Germany. The place appealed to me because of the consistency of the colors...gray skies, gray buildings, gray streets, gray smoke belching out of factory chimneys, gray clothing. I liked the uniformity. As political freedoms opened up, we applied and were given the freedom to emigrate to the US. My father studied the US and it was determined that Ohio and New Jersey were most like the 1960's era of industrial East Germany. gray, gray and more gray. We decided to move to Ohio and there we shortened our last name to Wilson. Oh, traffic was roaring along I-95 and I made good time.  Gray still appeals to me as I live in a gray house, have gray smoke belching from the chimney, the sky is almost always gray, the streets are gray and after a few days, each new snowfall turns gray. I love it. The trip to Florida was an assault on my senses and I did not like it. The grass was green, yellow and brown depending on the area, the sky was powder blue in the morning, a deep blue in the afternoon and a translucent blue/black in the evening punctuated by a brilliant orange ball which was yellow earlier in the day. At night, there were white orbs twinkling in the sky. I fought headaches all day and was disoriented by the variety. Add to that the warm temperatures, warm breeze wafting off the Gulf with a hint of saltwater..it was too much. As I drove north today, I could not wait to get to West Virginia which usually signals the return to a gray existence and I was not disappointed. Then, into the lovely drab gray of Ohio. Nirvana for sure and I am glad to be back. Please, someone whack me over the head with a 2x4 with a guarantee I will awake on May 1.  Wow, a van with a license from Alaska!
Well, it's been a good golf trade show.....really good. First, I was asked to make a move to Dallas, TX and accept a full time position at a company but....while my heart says "HELL YEAH" I have obligations that will prevent that for a little while longer. Otherwise, it's been a great show. Have eaten at Italian restaurants last two nights and I am certain if I weighed myself I would be the heaviest ever. Last night, for appetizers we had crab cakes, calamari, fired zucchini and salad. I was full after that. Then the entrées came out. We shared veal medallions, lobster carbanarra, chicken parmashian and some other entre. Then I ate ice cream and chocolate cake....help me.
Now, tonight, we gathered in "The Pit" a large bar area at the Rosen Centre hotel on International Drive across from the Orange County Convention Center. This is where all of the industry big wigs (with one exception...me) gather. Wow....I started with a local ale and then had 5 glasses of wine. With a dinner date coming, I made up an excuse and headed back to my room for room service. It is possible that I have consumed too much alcohol and am concerned I will type some thing here I will regret....like every other day when I have not had a glass (or two) of wine. I think I have gotten through this without too much drama and without taking shots at my cycling buddies. Of course, I have not seen my cycling buddies for so long I could not recognize most of them. Oh, room service just arrived. Well, time to go and you have no idea how much my cycling friends mean to me and I know how much we mean to you.....even though I will never say this again. Actually, I think I miss much more the warm weather than any person reading this. Well, another milestone in the weather calendar was hit today. Yes, after months of the average day time high temperature moving lower and lower, today, the corner is turned and the average day time high begins going up!!! Despite this, the real day time high temps are not going up. This is troubling but I don't know what to do about it either than stay south of the Mason-Dixon line. I'm attending a golf trade show in Orlando and it ends on Saturday so I am obligated to begin the drive back to the land of frozen tundra but no where does it say......
Not aware of much going on that doesn't involve an indoor spinning class or running on a treadmill. If that changes, I'll post something or maybe someone can post a comment.  My sister lives in a remote corner of Florida, down a dirt road to a dirt path to a dirt driveway and once there, you are greeted by this intimidating site. Turns out he has a pleasant personality, as do the other two dogs.  Here is an image of the guineas (spl?) with that peacock.  My sister had to drive to Gainesville for a seminar so I was left alone with all the beasts. My job today was to dispose of the remnants of the structure I tore down in the llama pen. I approached the herd warily.  They are supposed to be gentle but those teeth and that really dumb look they perpetually carry with them makes me doubt they can distinguish me from a hay bale. Plus the hoofs appear to be able to deliver a sharp kick. Anyway, I entered the pen and began dragging stuff to a burn pile.  As I pulled shingled from a piece of sheet metal, movement caught my eye and there was a small chameleon and then saw some other movement,,,  ...and a scorpion skittered under a piece of wood. Cool, my first encounter with a scorpion.  Cleaned up and drove to Winter Garden where I jumped on the bike and rode a very hilly West Orange bike path towards Clermont, Todd Lee's favorite place to ride in FL. A giant sand dune crosses the state here and produces an "Ohio-like" terrain kind of like what we have around the foothills of Hocking Hills maybe. An approaching line of severe weather forced me to cut short the ride but I can see that if Todd were able to train here every day for a year, he might be able to crawl back up with the A group (on flat rides).
 Got on the bike today with temp at the start a very nice 64 and sunny. Oh Yeah. Unfortunately, I was destined to ride a bike path. Roads around here that are paved (Dunnellon, FL) are busy and no climbing so may as well ride the Wiche-something or other path. Locals bundled up in wind breakers, tights and even saw a couple of full face baklavas! (or as Kenda Janet pronounces it: back-clay-va.  Rode 25 miles and decided to turn around. By mile 30 my legs were shot. The word "sad" does not do this justice. "Pathetic" does not even rise to the occasion. Maybe "putrid" or "contemptible" will do. Maybe that 8 mile run yesterday had some bearing but don't think so. Just running on a bike path doesn't seem to work the cycling muscles much. Geez, my cycling muscles have atrophied. Less than two months from the California cycling training expedition and can't imagine doing all that climbing. Along the bike trail, I saw this pond within a lake. Someone said it was a sink hole that had been isolated but not sure.  As I rode back, even the "T" word entered my consciousness. Yes, it may be time to yank the trainer out of the basement, find all the parts and start that mundane exercise. Well, been staying at my sister's house. She has what can best be described as a "gentlemen's farm". Today, I stood in a llama pen tearing apart a structure that used to house goats. How many of you can say you ever did that? Huh? Sawed down a dead tree, raked a bunch of leaves, cut and nailed plywood pieces to close off an opening in a barn and been eating lots of seafood. Moving on to Orlando tomorrow for the big PGA merchandise trade show. Maybe I'll meet Tiger Woods and ask him about picking up strange women and pass that help on to those of you currently single but looking. Here, passed a business that had unusual bottle displays.  My sister has a peacock, roosters, guineas, dogs, lots of llamas, etc...
More good weather news for us (dripping with sarcasm). Click on this link for what a weather expert has to say about the next 30 days. http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/44657/bastardi-forecast-for-rest-of.asp
I'm in FL on the west coast in Dunnellon. More to come later. Hey All. Check out Peggsters exercise opportunity below. Now, regarding my trip, at mile 275 I was out of the wasteland of snow and driving through a brown landscape. Can't say brown is my favorite color but white is certainly my least favorite....I HATE SNOW AND COLD!!!!!!!!!! By mile 325, the temp was above 29...WOHOOOOOO. At mile 375 the temp was above 40....FREAKIN INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!1. At mile 425 I saw a car with a road bike attached to it....WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, after driving for 9 hours, I am somewhere south of Columbia SC but not yet to Charleston. Oh, Columbia...what fond memories. As a youngster, I was asked to give a presentation in front of the Professional Golf Association's (PGA) business school. I was to give a 5 hour talk about golf club design and the USGA rules of golf to the Business School I and give a 3 hour talk about golf club fitting to the Business School II the following day. Yikes was I nervous. I was shaking and could not stop. This was my first real presentation in front of a group of 200+. When I checked in with Judy Bell, the education director for the PGA at the time, she stumbled backward and fell into a chair (she didn't know I was replacing a bit of a legend). This did not help my state of mind. On the day of my first presentation, I had some time to kill so walked to the courthouse and sat in the gallery and watched them debate a seatbelt law. The courthouse in Columbia has gold stars affixed to the facade to show where Union cannon balls had hit during the Civil War...kind of neat! Then walked back to the hotel and watched the guys giving a presentation before mine about teaching the golf swing. After a few minutes I thought, geez, no matter how bad I am I can't be as bad as those two so went back to my room to go over my notes. Hands still shaking badly I wondered how the heck I was going to get through this. Suddenly a calm came over me. I have no idea why but the shaking stopped. It was eerie. I went downstairs to the hotel ballroom and was still calm. The two knuckleheads who were droning about the golf swing ended and I walked up on the stage and was introduced. An audible gasp went out when the audience was told I was replacing the normal speaker (a long story). The lights dimmed and I started, they laughed at my dumb jokes, they laughed when I gave them the answers to the test (I had worked with SAT testing service to prepare the tests so I was the only speaker that week who knew the questions and answers), they really liked being told out of a 5 hour talk, what they had to know for the test. At the end, they gave me a standing ovation. That's kind of a neat experience, no matter what the circumstances. Over the next few years, I gave 12-15 of these seminars each year and totaled over 200 of them. It provided me the opportunity to travel all over the US and also the world. I have had some great experiences. I had a beer at the Raffles hotel in Singapore, the same bar where British officers drank prior to WWII and also where Japanese officers drank during their brief occupation...kind of neat. Unfortunately, I hate talking about myself so that's it for now. Maybe later I'll talk about witnessing a hole-in-one at Takasaka Country Club in Japan or petting a kangaroo in Tasmania or visiting a church built in the 1200's in Germany or having a drink at Surf's Club in Perth, Australia or visiting Roratonga in the Cook Islands or getting my ass kicked every year by Craig B and many others....
FROM PEGGSTER FOR SAT.
Hey Everyone, We are going to Slate Run tomorrow morning to do some xc skiing. If you are interested meet us there @ 10.00 am in the wetlands parking lot (off of Winchester Road). If you don't have skis bring your hiking boots.  Well, you made some good guesses but pretty far off base so her One of my cycling buddies told me last year, "You know, I've been riding with you for a long time and I don't know the first thing about you." I've thought about putting in a background section but am too modest to brag about the usual stuff like having once answered two Jeopardy questions in a row, graduated from junior high school, chickened out of petting a rattlesnake....you know, the things everyone has done. However, thinking about my trip triggered a memory and I thought I would share it. I once wrote a book (it sold 12 copies I think) about a product that was developed by a man who got the idea for the product after touring a factory where condoms were made during WWII. Can you guess what that product, which has sold millions and millions and is still sold today, is?
Cindy B, a.k.a. Flyin Tuna sent me an email with this message. I know, with my reputation, few of you will believe it but I could not make this up and the truth is stranger than fiction sometimes:
Just saw a commercial for Tuna; it's now called the "wonderfish"! How about that! There is even a website "tunathewonderfish.com" Now on to more important things. The Cycling Blog is on the move. Will have more in the very near future. Hint: I ain't going north or east, that's for sure. Now from Roy, his version of the events swirling around the Gainsville 200k. While Amanda and Roy's reports are an enjoyable and interesting read, this blog thrives on controversy, speculation, made up stuff, juicy gossip and outright falsehoods. Please, someone forward me something scandalous about Todd Lee.
For some, the pilgrimage taken is along a religious route. For some still, the defining moments of metaphysical nirvana and synchronicity come via a different path. From hardship comes triumph, that is the overwhelming theme for this years trip to Florida. The drive is grueling, some 14 hours via Rathburn/Burnham/Gridly/Williams airlines. We where transporting 13 of us to the familiar and markedly warmer confines of Northern Florida. Given the pace (warp 80), 3 bikes on the roof (including a tandem), and the fuel capacity of a moped, the Mazda 5 achieved the spectacular mpg achievement of a monster truck. On the other side of the coin, Donn’s Avalanche could have made it on one tank……at 400 gallon tank by estimation of Dustin who filled it once…..The trip down, done through the night actually acts as good Randonneur training, sleep deprivation being a cornerstone of the lunacy which are the 400/600/1000/1200k events….but I digress. Our goals as a group where somewhat modest, complete a fairly flat 200k in the light, in the warmth of Florida…..without eating a gun on the way back to Ohio seeing the snow return to our lives. Our arrival however was chilling and indeed the locals must have scorned our early arrival, a whole 22 degrees. We drove 900+ miles for 22? What the Fu…..pardon, cycling induced tourets. The fundamental difference of Florida though is sunshine. Standing in the IHOP parking lot in Lake City (our unofficial Florida Welcome Center), you stand brazen without a coat because, damit it’s Florida and it WILL get warmer. The collective smiles from the group would make you think “Did these folks all drink the Kool-Aide or what?” So much was to be happy for at that moment, the drive down virtually behind us, the expectation of a high of 60…..the fun rides this afternoon and the 200k tomorrow. All is good in the world. We rolled into to the Quality/Comfort Motel about 10 am to the greeting of beautiful palm trees and comfortable quarters. The extrication of cycling apparatus and gear from the cars took next to nothing compared to what it seemed like to pack. Tired but triumphant, we where here. Time to ride! It didn’t mater that most of us had about as much sleep as speed addict at a rock concert, no, we where riding, plain and simple. The group split into two, 1 doing a leisurely ride around Gainesville, the other doing a 30 mile warm up on the bike trail. Reports from the leisurely ride group where that things went fine. On the Bike trail group things went well with the exception of the tandem breaking it’s chain and ripping the rear derailleur off. We managed to fix things up, however shifting was not good the rest of the weekend. Also, tell tale sniffling came from the stoker….a harbinger of things to come. Carboloading was the word for the group for dinner. We where sat at the “family” table at Carraba’s Italian Grill. For those unfamiliar with the “Family” table, it’s about as long as your driveway and seats about 600. Still, our group filled it pretty well. A dental fatality did occur with poor Ross necessitating a visit to an emergency dentist. As it turns out, Olive pits are hard on dental work. Things were looking up though as Ross came back with narcotics for everyone. The Ride The morning of the ride came quickly. Most had slept like the dead. Ride start temps where in the high thirties but temps rose quickly. By 8 am, we where already at 40, Ohio had not seen 40 in, well years. We started out together stong. Apparently though Donn had enough of this pussy-footing and in his rage to take control of the pack, ripped his shift lever off his bike. Donn was not to be defeated, his bike was rigged as a two speed and he completed the nearly 100 miles remaining with an average cadence in the 40’s. Hat’s off. We split up into a couple of groups after Donn’s mechanical. Todd, Dustin, Ned and the Tandem of Roy and Amanda began a game of “Collect the Randonneurs” while the second group held steady building momentum. The tandem group began bridging up to groups TOSRV style, working together to maintain 20-23. Shortly before the first control, our group had about 25-30 riders in tow. The temps where now approaching 50 with bright sunshine. When the rest of the Ohio group arrived, we where bright with energy like the solar powered creatures that we are. Amanda was sniffling more, but with the brutality of a ruthless dictator, I made her spin on. This years 200k had a longish first control at 49 miles. The flat terrain of the first half made this ok however as most of us eat on bike regularly. Still, the 49 mile stopping point was a nice relief. The second half of the ride would prove to be more hilly but nothing compared to the terrain of TN and KY (or Ohio for that matter). We rolled into the next section greeted with not only slight inclines, but increasing wind. By mile 70, cross and head winds broke the faster group apart (not to mention losing a timing chain). By mile 81, the tank was empty and I was in need of some calories other than gu packet number 14 on the day. Judging by the cat-puking-up-hairballs sound Amanda was making, the stoker could use a little R&R too. The turn at mile 81 had a convenience store that time forgot. It featured beer, ho-ho’s, fried food and ice cream. A pair of Cookie-whiches hit the spot and we where off to the second control. We formed up as a group again at one of the 2600 local Kangaroo gas stations that served as the second control (there where also 2 secret controls, controls that are unannounced along the route to keep you honest). By this time in the day, the GPS was telling us it was 71. Let me say that again, 71. It was 71 in Ohio sometime back in the Nixon administration…..Bright sunshine convinced me that I should go in business with Larry Graham running one of these gas stations. The last leg contained a secret control and the remains of Amanda’s lungs. By this time, Amanda had developed a temp and power output was down. We had both ridden a hard ride and it was showing late in the day. We caught up with Todd and Dustin at the secret control and stayed together to the ride finish. By the time we where rolling into town, every restaurant on the way in sounded good. As it turned out, we finished with a personal best time of 9:23. Not bad considering we had a few mechanicals and Amanda was sick. We has a great time hammering out this 200k. The second group came in with a respectable time as well. Considering we had at least 3 who had not done a brevet before, not too shabby. Grow the sport I say. We are all looking forward to the rest of the cycling calendar this year. In our group, several are working on R-12’s. Ross and Amanda are at 4, getting the toughest months done already. For me, this was number 11. Next month I plan to make number 12 in Kentucky. In March, the Ohio series will start and then there is always the Fleche. I lifted this straight off Amanda's Facebook page. Didn't ask permission either. It's a good read.
Aside from getting sick, this was a wonderful vacation for me! I always look forward to January now. I never did before. Something wonderful happens when you have to put up with nothing but snow, traveling at the last minute to make a 200K in TN because it's 10 degrees warmer there, and colder than freeze yer nuts off temperatures right after a really nice November, then travel to warm (okay, it was 22 degrees when we got there Friday AM), sunny Gainesville, stay 3 days and two nights, and have fun doing nothing but hanging out with your favorite friends and riding bikes all day. Oh and eating. I love food! We headed out Thursday evening around 6:30pm, me having been late as usual due to normal rush hour traffic and having to stop and get my kroger paycheck. We all took turns driving and sleeping, with myself helping out from about 11pm to 2am. I then did my normal thing and took a car nap. I apparently slept through frozen Atlanta, which was mostly black ice. Fast forward to a lovely sunrise on Friday morning, on our way to the local Ihop, where Ric would discover he might find a new career as a waiter. LOL you can shoot me later Ric! After downing various pancakes and turkey bacon, we checked into the hotel, which had changed its name in the meantime. We discovered we shared a door to our room with Donn's room, so it was like a big slumber party! Most of us decided to take advantage of the gorgeous sunshine and head out for a ride at around 1pm after lunch. Others headed out to scout out the local bike shops around Gainesville, which I did last year. Gainesville is quite a cute college town. I recommend visiting! I decided to venture out on the tandem with Roy, and Donn, Frans, Ross, and Todd joined us. Todd led the ride, having ridden the trail before. All was bliss at first, and I even spotted an armadillo on the side of the trail. It didn't even look at us as we flew by. Then, all of a sudden, Todd decides to sprint attack a hill, and snap!! My powerful legs (okay, probably some of Roy's power didn't help either) snapped the chain. We were out of luck until Todd thought to call Ric and have him pick up a chain. After that, the chain was shorter and Roy didn't big ring it, and we were ok. We ended up with 30 miles of trail riding, in 65 degree temperatures. It was an awesome start to my mini-vacation. Friday night we decided to eat at Carrabba's, my favorite Italian place. Ric and gang proceeded to get me to drink 7 beers (ok not really) but it sure looked like I was the lush of the group! Ross unfortunately cracked a tooth on an olive pit, but was able to find an emergency dentist and get it fixed enough to ride the 200K. We all ended up calling it a night early around 9pm, so we could wake up nice and early for the 200K. Saturday was also awesome. Not only did I get to take several pictures of our group riding in Sunny, 70-degree temperatures, but all I had to do was pedal. I enjoy riding the tandem because I get to really enjoy the outdoors. I don't have to worry about steering (except of course when Roy runs into things, LOL kidding Roy!) Roy says he noticed I was down in power output, and he may have been right, but truth be told I really didn't feel all that bad until Saturday night/Sunday morning. I did feel more worn down, but I think this was more due to lack of sleep than anything else. I didn't have a fever on Saturday, although by that night I did. I still had quite an appetite too. Anyway, I still had an excellent time watching nature on the bike, noticing the different birds and the fact that there are as many horse farms in Florida as there are in Kentucky! I also noticed several wild cranes that were often in small groups of 3 or 4 in fields. I am not sure if these were cranes, or egrets. They were cool though. I should also add that even though there were several mechanicals early in the ride, overall we did very well. Some guy on a recumbent busted a tire and Ric stopped to help him. Donn later cracked his derailleur hanger and Ric and Roy helped him. Later, Dustin broke a spoke and Ric helped him. So here's to having helping hands on rides :) We rolled into the finish at the Rush Lake Motel with a time of about 7 hours and 31 minutes ride time, that is 9 hours 23 minutes total Rando time! We were welcomed by homemade sandwiches and pasta salad, to deserts and cake and drinks. It felt good to be fed. But we still had a 4 mile ride back to the hotel, and the sun was setting quick. I threw back on my layers and back to the hotel we went, to enjoy hot baths and a "2nd dinner" at Outback steakhouse. It was the following Sunday that I got really sick, and promptly followed friends' advice to "sleep as much as possible". I think I was awake all of 3 hours of the trip home. Thanks guys for driving. I know I wasn't much fun to be around! I look forward to our next 200K, which will mostly likely be Milford, OH, unless Mother Nature decides to wave her nastywand on us again. LOL  OK, I became lazy and did not check in again with Roy but also did not want to be a pest. Probably he or Amanda will have a comprehensive write-up on their Facebook pageJeremy forwarded this link to me from roadbikereview that had a brief ride report and lots of images of the Gainsville 200k. Included in the report was this image of Roy and Amanda. As is normal, Roy looks gassed and taking a nap from the exertion of pedaling for two people. Amanda, having not matched Roy's effort as she sat on the back of the tandem, appears fresh and good to go. You can read and see more at: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=238077
OK, I became lazy and did not check in again with Roy but also did not want to be a pest. Probably he or Amanda will have a comprehensive write-up on their Facebook pageJeremy forwarded this link to me from roadbikereview that had a brief ride report and lots of images of the Gainsville 200k. Included in the report was this image of Roy and Amanda. As is normal, Roy looks gassed and taking a nap from the exertion of pedaling for two people. Amanda, having not matched Roy's effort as she sat on the back of the tandem, appears fresh and good to go. You can read and see more at: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=238077
 We met at Clear Creek Metro Park. Here, Steve O showing off his new hiking boots. Steve was joined by Margarita Rick for the hike....  ....with Mark c, John Swope and I for the trail run. However, John was 15 minutes late. I said no problem but after 15 minutes, Mark C called John and announced it would be another 15 minute delay....I lept at the opportunity not to have to keep pace with the Usain Bolt of trail running and informed Mark I was going to head out on my own. Mark planned a 10 mile run and I opted for something less. Steve and Rick had already headed out at 11:00 and I followed at about 11:20. Headed west on Clear Creek Road before heading up the Hemlock Trail, a brute of a mostly uphill 1.5 miles. At the Chestnut Trail, I went left and soon caught up with Steve and Rick. Kept going around that loop and decided to do it again, hoping to overtake M and R again, and did. Walked with them for awhile talking about "things" while picking up the Cemetery Ridge Trail. Began to get chilled so left them and after 8 miles, arrived back at the parking lot. That was good enough for me. On Sunday, spent a couple of hours cross country skiing at Infirmary Mound Park in Licking County but must be doing something wrong as while I enjoyed the time out in the woods and fields, didn't feel like I had done much cardio-wise. Still can't figure out why people say x-country skiing is a great cardio workout. Must be doing something wrong. Oh, the blog will be on the move late this week. Had enough of this winter weather and the blog is going so
Sorry for the late update for the weekend. Mark C and I are meeting at Clear Creek Metro Park at 11:00am for a trail run, such as one is able in these conditions. Steve O is 75% there for a hike so you can join him at 11:00 for a hike if not a run. We are parking in the lower lot where we start the Honeysuckle bike tour, rather than taking that road up to the lot on top of the hill. A Google serach will reveal all. For Sunday, I'm trying to talk Peggy and Butch to lead a cross country skiing adventure out of Slate Run. More to come later. Come on out and join us rather than be a spinning class weenie. Saturday will be above 32 degrees
I fell asleep and failed to make the midnight call. However, I checked in with them this morning at at 8:15am they were at Lake City, FL stopping for breakfast at an IHOP. Other than Amanda passing a lot of gas during the drive, the tandem wheel popped out of its skewer in TN and that required skillful driving and grabbing of straps to hold the wheel in place prior to bring the van to a stop. Cold morning in Lake City at 23 but sunny and will warm quickly....maybe I should have gone with them.
Weekend Plans: Probably there will be a cross country skiing opportunity at Slate Run on Sunday. More on that later but even if you don't have skis you can still join in to walk quickly or jog with us. On Saturday, Mark C has a morning conflict so can't lead an off trail hike but can go trail running at 11:00. This will probably be out of Clear Creek with a 10 mile option and lesser mile options too. More to come. I checked in with Roy and they are at mile 34 so a looong way to go. Donn is leading the caravan in a large silver truck doing 85-90mph. Roy is with Amanda and Franz and the latter two are already not speaking to each other. Franz wanted to make sure it become known he is the lone minority in the bunch. I will check back in with them around midnight as they begin that long nights journey into day.
 There is a large group of our friends and neighbors driving from Columbus to Gainsville, FL to participate in a 200k ride. I will be interviewing one of the participants this evening and post the comments tonight or tomorrow. Also, Mike Rea has a good blog going at: http://sprocket-rocket.blogspot.com/. Check it out.
 As background, late last season, Peggster, Donna and Craig quit as Tuesday Canal ride leaders. The mental strain of dealing with us vulgar and uncouth parking lot types had gotten to be too much for the high-brow crew. This was understandable and I thanked them for their sacrifice. Over time, a new team of ride leaders was formed, Mitch O (holdover from last year's team), Kevin H, Steve O and me. All was well until the follow email was sent out from Mitch O that began with the sentence:
Given that I will be in charge of the Tuesday night ride series out of Canal Winchester, I demand the following : I was a little put off by this approach and what followed was a series of edicts that has forced me to put his self appointment as the leader of the ride leaders to the test. Below are his demands with my counter ideas. Please comment on which platform you prefer, Mitch's or mine? Parking Lot Mitch: A special spot will be set aside for whoever is that evenings ride leader. Mark: Ride leaders are no better than everyone else. The ride leader must park in whatever spot is available, even if by the dumpster behind Shades or next to Jeff S where you might be subjected to a naked man changing in his van. Mitch: There must be a limit to perfume and colonge use. Mark: Appropriate amounts are allowed per person except for Kevin, who can continue to use a pint. Mitch: All riders must leave the parking lot in the clockwise direction and exit from Shade's driveway. Mark: We will ignore the parking lot arrows and leave in any direction we damn well please. Mitch: Certain riders are no longer allowed to complain about not being in peak form prior to the ride. Mark: Respect comes with age so Poobah can say what he wants and so too can Amanda. Mitch: At promptly 5:55, the sign-up sheet will be put away and anyone arriving after that time will not be allowed to ride. Mark: Hey, things happen, if you're late, I'll leave an extra map for you and continue to enable your late arriving habit. Mitch: People under the age of 21 are not allowed to ride with us. Mark: I encourage anyone to ride as long as they are fit enough to hang with the A, B or C group and observe unwritten rules about showing appropriate respect for those of us who still think we are strong but have not been for several years. I have experienced worse humiliations than getting thrashed by a 16-year-old. Mitch: I ain't no babysitter so no newbies allowed. In fact, I'm not sure I like the C riders showing up either. Mark: New riders should be encouraged to participate because it is from their ranks that the next "Mark" will appear....ok, maybe Mitch is correct on this one. Mitch: Only cycling clothing can be worn, no T-shirts or jean bottoms. Mark: Agree except the Kenda Janet rule is in effect: Bizarre preride clothing is allowed. Also the Dennis Rule--see through cycling shorts are not allowed. Ride Rules Mitch: We will leave the parking lot in 3 minute intervals in groups of A, B and C groups. Groups will stay together until the final mile when one sign sprint is allowed back into Canal. Mark: We will leave the parking lot in 3 minute intervals in groups of A, B and C groups. At least one rider wearing a Walker jersey will sprint after leaving the stop light, disappear around the corner at Waterloo, blow up within 5 miles of the start and take a shortcut. Meantime, Da Boss, having overtaken the Walker-dude and leading a group of hanger oners will splinter the group and many of us will ride alone, all season long. Mitch: Stop Sign Jumpers will be pulled off the bike and beaten, with rear wheels slashed as a parting gift. Mark: I celebrate the risk takers who like to see if they can pull the unalert into the path of an oncoming car. Mitch: Certain protocol must be obeyed for group harmony. Mark: It is ok for Poobah to sit in until a village sign appears on the horizon, cut on the inside and sprint to victory. It is ok for Steve to go for the two bagger, a shot of spit that hits 2 of us in the face. It is ok for those of us over the age of 50 to never take a pull. Mitch: We will use the Thursday COP route strategy. Mark: Will will have a variety of routes. Well, there is our respective platforms. Please vote in the comment section if you prefer my ideas or Mitch's  We, the few, the proud the two of us, gathered for the Zaleski hike. Road conditions on Saturday AM were not good and soon after making the turn onto #278 from Nelsonville I began thinking about that steep hill and decided I better turn around rather than chance the drive up the hill. The road was snow covered and slippery but suddenly, there was the hill and I'll be, all cleared off. I arrived at the parking lot late, having woefully under estimated the drive time....a total of 2 hours. Yikes. There were 8 cars in the parking lot but only Mark C and I formed up for the hike so we decided to trail run instead.  We selected the 8.5 mile northern loop and headed off into an environment of cold, wind, slick trails and many beautiful ice formations. The route is very hilly for the first 6 miles and finally, the trail dropped down into a river bottom that I knew from past experience, would yield a relatively flat final two miles. At mile 7, after navigating several stream crossings without incident, my foot plunged through some ice and was soaked. Gosh, that final mile was fun with a foot sloshing around in a soaked sock but finally, I saw the road and yelled. "Road Sprint" and nipped a fast closing Mark for the first spint win of the year. I can't wait for spring when I am playing golf with the fellas and as we approach the green, I yell. "Green Sprint" and start running with clubs clanking around in the bag and everyone wondering what the heck is wrong with me. I have to pick up the sprint wins no matter the sport. We finished with 1500' of climbing but our going was kind of slow with some of the down hills to slick to run and most of the
Mark is planning an off-trail hike in the next week or two. If you have never participated in one of these, they are a hoot and a great full body workout as we claw our way up and over cliffs and steep hills, slide down slopes and have a lot of fun. If I forget to describe it, make sure you bring a change of gloves and socks. More to come later.  Many thanks for the show, as underwhelming as it was, of support. Visitor total was unreal at well over 400 and unique visitors were 385. But, ahh... that vote total is less than 4%. I don't know what to make of that. OK, back to business. We are hiking out of Zaleski State Park on Saturday at 10:00am. If you want to ride down in Mark C's van, meet at Gloryland Church on Coonpath Road at 8:30. Otherwise meet in the parking lot at Zaleski (it's the park down by Nelsonville) This will be an on and off trail hike. If you want to start with us for the on trail portion and then when we go off you stay on (does that make sense) that is ok. Or, you can join us for a not that grueling off trail portion. In any case, it will be a good workout and all are welcome.
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