Blood, Sweat & Blue Jay

Brad Blair on the right, Flyin Tuna on the left.  As I monitored her sign-in efforts, I began to think a termination of her co-leader position would be necessary.  The parking lot was missing a lot of cyclists and someone would have to take the fall for failed execution of the business plan. As I was preparing my "Your Fired" speech I rode around the corner and discovered a huge gathering of cyclists.  My get out the cyclist efforts had worked again.  Over 40 would eventually roll out. 

That I was here and able to ride was thanks to Geoff Clark at Veloscience, squeezing me in between fittings to replace the broken spoke from Thursday's ride. I also thank those who offered a set of wheels or a bike when they became aware of my predicament.  Now I have some bad news.  My camera lost its charge and so I missed out on many really good photo opportunities during the parking lot scene and most of the ride until....

....coasting down Poplar Forks Road, I came across one of our group who was taken out by a dog.  As Miek holds the bikes, a man and woman applied First Aid.  Big thanks to Lori for providing this and the remaining images.  I rode with Larry, Lisa and Steve for the remainder of the outbound portion as we dropped toward route 40 and the....

    ....market where already there were plenty of bikes and cyclists.

I was able to find a seat because non lingerers like to stand and clearly some were anxious to get going.  I was there just under 50 minutes, entertaining the troops, providing guidance, etc... but then to jump on the bike and immediately start climbing, ouch.

Ken B, Scott, Todd L, Benton and Mike M  My return was fairly uneventful.  If ever there was a day where doing the additional loop should be ridden, it would be this day.  That this was not the day must mean it will never be the day as the traditional 65 mile route is enough for most of us.  Having already ridden Blue Jay once today, I thought it would be boring to do it again so I opted for a difference, the Staddens Bridge Road option that dumps one into the east end of Newark.