 Yet another prominent road closed, this time Stone Quarry. I checked the bridge on Moots Run and it is still a long way from completion. Of course too is the roundabout being installed on New Burg, also going into Granville.  I drove to Lancaster, parked at Alley Park and followed a 51 mile route that included climbs up Revenge, Tarkiln, Snortin Ridge, Jack Run, 374, Stump Hollow and Beck roads Whoa, been a long time since I did climbs of this steepness and length. I was very apprehensive as I started.....  ....with Tarkiln the first climb. I nearing the top, saw a ramp, immediately thought, "I can't do that!", unclipped and pushed, lol. It was personally embarrassing and I have no idea why I'm sharing that here. Beck was next and ok, made it, then Snortin Ridge, ok, made that, eventually reaching Jack Run where, half way up, I had to unclip. I somehow managed to not fall over while unclipping and putting my plant foot down while moving 1mph. Anyway, enjoyed the ride and scenery.  My son asked me to fill in for his partner again. I was playing well, 2+ through 5 holes. My golf muscles have atrophied of course and while hitting a ball from the rough, I strained a muscle in my arm. Thereafter, it was painful to swing so I had to quit on hole #8. The good news is a day or two later I was fine.  We played at "The Links at Echo Springs" golf course. Nice layout and views.  Back to the woods to continue the clearing project. I had someone offer to bring in a tractor and bush hog the woods but I want to be selective about what I remove. I'm having too much fun in here anyway.  This day was quite humid and so after working for 30 minutes, my shirt mostly soaked, I'd have to sit for 20 minutes to cool off. The briars get their revenge occasionally but they are losing, badly.
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 The heat and humidity has deterred me from doing many of the evening rides so glad I have the option of getting out in the morning, while enjoying the OH scenery, including these amber waves of grain!  My son asked me to sub in for his partner who bailed on a Thursday evening so I agreed. I left my golf set in AZ so Brettt agreed to provide me with the necessities.  What a funny guy but this is the glove he loaned me. I played ok, not capable of good play having mostly abandoned the game many years ago. For me, at some point, I had an epiphany. After 4-5 hours of golf, I'd had no real exercise so that was that and focused much more on hiking and cycling.  The woods work continues. Love clearing the briars and honeysuckle bushes so turning this impenetrable wall into....  ...something much better.  Meantime, in AZ, Amy sent me this pic of a Colorado River Toad. They are enormous and if a dog licks one, it can become very sick. Also....  ....this was spotted on the pavement. I really like that I can plunge my hands into any bush or branch and not have to worry about rattlers, scorpions or Colorado River Toads. lol.
 I was late arriving so had no choice but to depart at 6pm but despite rushing to ready myself, had to take a pic of the above bike.  I realize that people had been departing since 5pm but still, so few people were there for a 6pm departure and most chose the short, 37 mile route. Dustin in red/black kit on the left, who I have not seen for many years. Randy L on the right in purple/white kit. I have to acknowledge that the 90 degree temp and high humidity probably dampened attendance but the scene was so muted compared to prior Solstice rides.  Ten of us left in an A/B group. That I survived the climb from Canal to Lithopolis was a surprise so that was good. It was a good group, all working together, taking turns at the front. The stronger cyclists kept their egos in check and we stayed together until the climb up Cedar Hill where we regrouped.  Beautiful scene. One of us had to get off his bike and rest in the shade. Standing there, no wind, we all sweated profusely so it was a relief to get going. We arrived in Amanda for a short break. Walking into the market and experiencing the contrast in temp and humidity was so welcome. I was feeling ok but thought it would probably be a good idea to take it easier on the return so mostly soloed back, finishing with the 37 miles and a 17.1 average. Very few people were in the parking lot but again, given the conditions, why would there be?
 And so....here it is, the famous Summer Solstice route out of Brewdog in Canal Winchester. Official start time is 6pm but given the distance and climbing, lot of people start at 5:45pm. I'm not as plugged in to the Reb camp as I once was so am unaware of start times that have ranged back as early as 5pm. Soooo, having an obligation to my vast audience, yes, I plan to attend and later, comment on the silly things that occur.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47159774?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3lKyCVdR9TOP4O76FL3oqzfHHjF4i9zIpMj3Sug1E0rQ8DHI3tslBmPb0_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw  ....in a town close, close away, there was and is, Canal Winchester. Two distinct groups of cyclists dominated their respective villages. The New Albanyites and the Canal Winchesters. The Canal boys were generally known as.....  ....the Rebs, led by not Robert E. Lee but Ric Noland, owner of the "Cyclist Connection". Ric's fiery personality inspired the cycling Rebs despite the fact....  ....Canal Winchester is a gritty, industrial town, much like Appalachian towns of the 1950's. Once the coal mines closed, most cyclists lost their jobs so having nothing to do but ride, they became fairly proficient with their bikes. Meantime, the New Albany Yankees, they too were jobless but not because they could not find a job, their inherited wealth, passed on over many generations, allowed them too to ride, a lot.  Being the pot stirrer that I am, back in the 2016 era, I helped create a rivalry. Which group in fact was the strongest???? I warned my fellow New Albanyers that were they to make that arduous drive to Reb territory, they better be ready for a culture shock.  I negotiated with Ric Noland to agree that weapons would be left at the houses of the Rebs so my northern friends would feel personally safe. Of course....  ,,,returning from the ride one could expect his car to look like the above so I encouraged carpooling in dump trucks or armored vehicles. Oh, the personalities that went south....  ....Luke Russell, otherwise known as the "Big Diesel" came along with Marty, Jon M....oh an endless list of star cyclists. The ride, about 51 miles with an ascent of the nasty Savage Road....  ....ended with a resounding win for the Yankees. So, all kidding aside, next Tuesday, is Canal's version of their Summer Solstice ride. The surviving Yankees and the new ones, should journey down and participate. I'll post the route soon.
 Gale Road is being repaved from St. Rt. 16 to Granview Rd. Many cyclists use this road as access to Granville, turning left on Granview off Gale. What is surprising is the pavement is already good with no potholes, just sealed cracks. Oh well, hooray for us.
 The year's first cutting of hay is occurring as I take a short spin around the hood.  I arrive in Canal Winchester to participate in the group ride. Hey! There's Paul Stock. I enjoyed catching up with him while about 50 of us.....  ....assembled in front of Brewdog. Unlike my visits to the New Albany group rides, I didn't recognize very many people. Kevin H, aka "Polish Pony" was there, Eric the former Dispatch photographer oh and Claude. Claude used to always ride with a banana in his jersey pocket and then disappeared from the group, maybe 10 years ago. He recently found himself getting fat so decided to ride again.  Oh, Ric Noland, owner of Cyclist Connection was there, giving the pre-ride announcements which included, the Summer Solstice ride will be on the 18th. If you've not previously ridden that route and ride, you owe it to yourself to do so. I'll find the route and post it as it includes going up Revenge Road.  It was kind of strange when Ric announced the "Long A" riders could leave and no one budged. Then "Mid A's" could go...no one. "Long B's" and a decent sized group departed. I went with the "Mid B's" and that turned out to be a mistake. Should have gone with the first group. The pace was slower than I expected but hey! My first group ride where I didn't get dropped. My average was only 17mph.  Ahhhh, life, working in the woods. Having fun, making progress on my project. I've been at it long enough now to realize I won't finish this year but that's ok. To reward myself for all my hard work.....  ....I headed to Brio, which is only about 10 minutes from me. I enjoy calamari but understand I should not eat it too often due to the fat content.
 While I miss, very much, the mountains of southern AZ, a decent stand-in our the many cloud formations that kinda remind me of the mountains.  On a beautiful Saturday morning I went out for a solo ride, passing many fields that were about to be cut and bailed.  An evening soccer game where we had the misfortune of watching while the sun was sitting opposite of us. Brutal viewing conditions and we had to remain on this side of the field as the other is reserved for the coaches and teams.  The saying, "knee high by the 4th of July" but of course, if corn is only that high in early July, it's not growing well. The corn is knee high now and growing rapidly.  I showed up for the title of this post and was surprised to see many former cycling mates there too! Jeff S, Jimmy L, Axel, Miek W & others. Ours was a good pace but having committed to do the Tuesday Canal group ride, I bugged out of the group at mile 12, to take it a little easier. I finished with 42 miles and will for sure make this ride part of my routine.
 I got out for the evening ride and hey! There is Craig R, aka, "Muscle Dude" out too. I had ridden earlier in the day....  .....which included passing over brand new pavement on Jug Street. However, my legs were not that sharp and abandoned the group about 10 miles in, soloing back to the parking lot.  Visited a grandson and we played soccer, basketball, golf and then, I was exhausted.  I enjoy helping my children with their yard projects so volunteered to weed around their back patio. That only took about an hour so....  ....headed to the woods to work. I saw some movement in the dead tree on the left and there was a family of raccoons having taken up residence in the hollow interior. Most days now are pleasant as the battle between the volatile spring and summer has finally been decided.
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