The Hills Are Alive, with the Sound of Engines

Wow, good turnout for Tuesday's New Albany ride, 30 of us.  I know, you are thinking, "Only 30?" but all 30 are in one large group of B/B+ paced cyclists.  It was great!  I never had to take a pull!!!  I know, you are thinking, "If there had only been two who showed up you still would not have taken a pull."  Yeah, you got me there.

Ric preparing to join the group and telling me he took a buy-out offer and officially retires in one month.  Great, yet another person who now will ride every day and kick my ass.  OK, yes, he already kicks my ass but now it will be worse.

The famous shady spot was filling rapidly as we sought protection from a warm sun.  Larry P holding up a tree.

Then Marty rolls in on the rarely seen "White Knight" bike.  I kidded him by saying no one has ridden a chariot like that since the days of Ben-Hur.  Marty arrived back from a winter in various exotic locales last week.  He claims he watched my arrival and then knew it was ok to return.

Time is drawing near to shove off as Kristie takes a selfie.  Hey!  Wait a sec.  Why is Peggy not on her bike?

Alas, she locked her keys in her car.  Oh no!  Gus kept his distance, not wanting to be drawn into something that would prevent both from riding but Chris I. was there to assist with finding someone who could gain access to the car. All Peggy could do now was watch and wait.  Later, she would join us for the return.

We roll out with the eyes......

....of New Albany upon us.  Kind of cool to be part of a large group that garners the attention of the restaurant goers who give us a thumbs up.  

Out we go as I take an image of the tunnel that exists within our group.  What a fabulous evening made special because of the sun, temperature, lack of wind and of course many of my favorite cyclists.  Fun time.  After Sunday's 83 mile effort, I hoped this would be a true B/B+ pace and so it was.  Milt on the left, Larry P on the right.

We arrived at the left turn to 310 when someone just had to go. Got the 4" out of the shorts, took care of business and returned to the peloton, all before the light change.  Way to go.

Screaming down Battee Road, we almost ran into the back end of a farm implement but managed to slow down.  The fields were filled with tractors plowing or planting.  What a nice evening to ride or plow.  After the 37 mile ride at a 20.1 average we returned to the parking lot and descended upon Kristie's trunk for fabulous cookies and.....

....Mitchell rolled in from a solo effort, collecting booty from having won the Cat 5 State Championship on Sunday at Lake Hope.  Way to go and now you graduate to the Rivet class on Thursdays.  That is it for now my many fans!