Many Against the Wind

The Grand Poobah (right) strides towards his car to dig out the bike. Others layer on the clothes to prepare for the head wind and cold.

  I wondered how many people would show on this cold and very windy day and once again, opted for the cheaper’s version of real doughnuts—the doughnetts, so as not to get stuck with large doughnuts I would feel obligated to eat should no one show for the ride.  Surprisingly, there were 11 of us, including Todd L, Steve O, Kenda Stefano, Ginger, Franz, Jeff S, Blair, Kevin K, Cindy B and Ryan R.  As a bonus, Steve cleaned out his kitchen of cookies and brought a large plate to give out.  It appeared some had bite marks so I declined.

Where are the other Kendaites like Rick, Paul, Janet and Dave?  What about Dennis and Amanda to show off her new winter shoe covers?  What about Canal Susan and Pastor Mark?  11 is a good turnout but it could be so much higher to join in what is a lot of fun.  We headed out on kind of a hilly opening stretch that included Slough and Pickerington Roads.  I had wanted to avoid some wind when putting the route together but having those hills to start exaggerated the fitness difference and people got stretched out a little so we waited at the top of Pickerington to regroup. Earlier, Steve piped me at the summit of Slough after first allowing me to go around him.  He loves to toy with me just like a cat does with a mouse.

We continued on via Rock Mill and Sand Hill Roads with Kevin K cutting it short.  We arrived in Amanda and I felt that was the hardest 18 mile stretch of the year with the 10-20 mph winds.  If the winds had suddenly shifted to blow from the north, I’m positive I would have begun weeping.  We debated a little about turning north to ride the oh so appealing tail winds but we decided to head farther south via the long climb on Amanda Southern, then Gerhart and the rollers on Sixteen Road into Tarleton.  There, Cindy curiously continued to wear her new Rudy Project sunglasses both on the bike and into the market, so as to either maximize the return on the investment or try to garner attention to the fact she was wearing something new.  Most of us had enough of the head wind except Steve who also convinced Jeff to join him on a further excursion to the south and Laurelville.  I desperately wanted to join them but had an obligation to shepherd my remaining pilgrims back to Canal Winchester.  Damn responsibility!

Oh but what sweet relief to ride that wind back.  The Grand Poobah himself, Todd, set a hard pace at the front for many a mile as we went north, hitting Justin and then Cedar Ridge on into Canal Winchester for 52 miles, 2500’ of climbing and a 17.1 mph.  Many a calorie was burned on this ride but alas, not enough to counter the many calories I consumed in the days before the ride.  Still, it was great to get out and maintain some minimum level of fitness with good friends.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  It has been roughly a year since I started these silly ride reports.  Last week, as many as 90 people hit the blog on one day and the daily averages shock me with 40-50 people.  The pressure to come up with something other than…”we turned right here and left here and I got my ass kicked by so and so on this climb”  is enormous.  Should I continue????? Here’s the deal, if 5 of you post on the comments section that you want me to continue then I will.  If not, I will sign off forever.  It is entirely up to you!

---