Bloody Nipples & yet another DRY ride!

Our concern and actions about our economic health manifests itself differently for each of us.  Tonight, Mitch O took frugality to a new level by wearing what can best be termed a "200 yard" jersey.  From 200 yards it looked like any solid white jersey but upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a burlap bag, dyed white with three cut-outs for his neck and arms.  While I admire MItch's creativity, the unintended consequences made this a bad choice.

First, we gathered in the parking lot behind Shades restaurant in Canal Winchester (see image).  Some of us were ready to go but there were plenty of fence sitters.  Radar suggested a clearing to the southwest that would last awhile but just before 6:00pm, hurricane warnings for Fairfield county were announced and someone said they heard Sugar Grove was getting pounded, which is uncomfortably close.  Donna (Sarge) proclaimed the ride officially canceled from COP's perspective but of course we were free to reach our own conclusion and many of us decided to go including, Jamie, Craig, Mitch, Greg H, Mark V, Randy, Kevin, Recumbent Dude, Steve O, Mark V, Retro George and Jeff S.  Eve, Donna, Franz and Ryan showed good judgement, if not much courage, by heading for the restaurant or home.

George informed me that just after I had stopped on Saturday's ride to take pics, his heart raced to 170 and he had to stop.  Jamie abandoned the poor guy but soon, George got back on his bike and proceeded to P, passed by Mark V's group, Amanda and Dave.  I think George was the last person to hit the parking lot that day but he was out again today and had no problems.

Everyone deferred to the Boss for a route and Craig took us out to Lithopolis and then kind of south and west to skirt the dark stuff.  We ended up west of Rickenbacker on roads I had not previously seen.  Group Killer and Boss kept the pace kind of reasonable and we stayed together which is a good thing considering the unfamiliarity of the area and the fact it was being made up as we went along.  At one point there was a gap in the group but Randy seized the opportunity to demonstrate he is ready for the Pittsburg ride by covering it and pulling me along with him. Around mile 18, I noticed Mark V had dropped off and I decided to go back to find as no one should be left alone with the threatening weather and strange land. Boss gave me permission to leave the group and a couple of planned turns (which I think were not accurate) and I went back to find Mark.  Soon I decided he must have taken a different route and hoped he was not wandering aimlessly with the sky looking more threatening.  Then, I got lost and had to stop and ask directions stopping at something similar to the Bates Motel except it had big dogs inside.  Norman came to the door and stuck an unfriendly head through the gap.  I doubted the given directions but since they took me away from the storm, I took off, glancing at sheets of rain to my south but enjoying a good tailwind.  The directions were accurate and I ended up in Groveport and then went east to Canal, nervously watching a blackening sky approach, arriving with 33 miles, and dry. Mark's van was gone so he too had made it back.  The groups average I think was 22, mine was 20.4, forgetting to turn off the computer while stopped at the Bates.

It didn't take long before it was brought to my attention that the front of Mitch's burlap had two large red spots.  Apparently the coarse material had rubbed his nipples until they bled. Ouch!  Oh, Randy and Mark drove to Pittsburg on Monday, taking a Garmin so they could do a final route check.  For their 6/15 ride they'll have around 190 miles and 11,000' of climbing.  Note Saturday it appears many will do the HOOT ride but there is also an American Diabetes, "TourdeCure" ride out of Westerville.  Info can be found here http://tour.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TDC535998030?pg=entry&fr_id=5631