Cut Throat Tactics

A glorious late afternoon greeted us as we arrived in Canal and predictably, the good weather brought out a mob, including many, many racer types who have caught wind that a couple of non-racer types are kicking butt and taking names.  Well, this latest batch was dispatched by The Boss & Group Killer, just like all others.  Unfortunately the dispatching also takes us out too.

Before the ride start, Pastor Mark called me to inquire about the route.  He was already riding and hoped to catch us.  I asked when he had started and his reply....8:00am!!!!  I had to ask how far he had gone and.....154 miles!!!!  More later.

The pace picked up dramatically heading out the long hill on Waterloo.  My legs felt leaden from having run up and down hills all day Sunday while avoiding being fragged by my son while paintballing.  We turned onto Slough with Craig going to the front, through the dips prior to the big hill.  Jamie had advanced to the front by then but prior to the hill pulled off and told Craig, "I'm not leading up this hill." so The Boss (Craig) took over. A guy in a Walker kit jumped by, setting off a flurry.  I struggled to the top in 6th place and looking down the hill, saw Group Killer and The Boss already extending a gap on everyone.  After nearing the top of the last hill on Amanda Northern I hoped maybe they would pause for regrouping but alas, the lead two were too busy humiliating the racer types.  I sat up and waited to link up with someone and quickly Steve O, Mario, Jeff S and 3 others came by and so I jumped on the tail.  We rode together on Alspach and Rockmill and while on Rockmill Steve implored Jeff, who was leading, to take shorter pulls at a higher pace.  I asked why, who would we catch?  We were miles behind Boss and GK it seemed but to Steve's credit, there were a couple cyclists out there.  Turning left on Royalton I took a pull to the crest of that rather steep descent.  I noticed a dog race to the edge of the road at the bottom of the hill and crouch, as if waiting to leap.  I braked and the others (2 had left us so only 4 left) went to my left, using me as a shield, which is a smart move The damn dog made a couple more steps onto the road and I expected I would hit it but it stopped while I continued to brake.  Steve, Jeff and the other two guys gapped me of course and then, rather than, you know, maybe ease a little to let me catch back on, sped away.  I slapped my thigh and started laughing.  Those guys are so funny and I giggled all the way around thinking about that maneuver.  Those guys probably also enjoy pausin g at an intersection before bolting in front of a semi just to get a gap. Ho, Ho, Ho.

Then I missed a turn, checked a map and got back on the route.  Soon a good group of guys came along, Dennis, Ryan, Mark V, Greg Hall and a couple of others.  We worked together all the way around and cruised into the parking lot, 43 miles, 19.6mph on a rather hilly route. Ryan had taken our group's sign sprint going into Lithopolis and I noted it does not appear that marriage has impeded his fitness. Jamie and Craig finished at 22.3mph.  Yikes, that's smoking.  Dusk was setting in as I drove away and called Mark, who was still on his bike, doing repeats in his driveway to finish at 200 miles.  If there is such a thing as reincarnation I hope to come back as a Pastor, so I too can ride all day, every day, except Sundays.

<!-- START OF ADDME LINK -->
<a href="http://www.addme.com/submission/free-submission-start.php">Search Engine Submission - AddMe</a>
<!-- END OF ADDME LINK -->