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Many Against the Wind

12/27/2009

7 Comments

 
Picture
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!

7 Comments
Grand Poobah
12/27/2009 07:30:24 pm

Please contine because it's my only reason to get out of bed and log on the internut!

Reply
kenda janet
12/27/2009 08:25:05 pm

mark -- life wouldn't be the same without your blog.

i like todd would be unable to function without my regular visits to Mark's Cycling Blog.

Please continue so i can live vicariously thru you guys...lol.

Reply
Big gut on a bike
12/27/2009 09:25:08 pm

Abandoning us on rides is one thing, but leading us on for a whole year and then pulls the plug….come on where is the love? But then again thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities of the human misunderstanding is like you. Will you be able to show up and look us in the eye ever again?

Reply
Cindy
12/27/2009 09:57:01 pm

How pathetic; begging for compliments. You enjoy writing this far more than we enjoy reading, does the 90 hits include yours? BTW, I did not have my new sunglasses yet, but will make sure you know when I do.

Reply
Peggie
12/27/2009 10:04:09 pm

Yes, please continue!
I hate riding in the winter so I find many other outlets to maintain my fitness and fix of outdoor pursuits, but I love reading about what my fellow riders (the die-hards!)are doing, albeit embellished!

There are many websites that you could plagiarize and/or web-based dictionaries and thesaurus that would assist your writing if need be.

Besides, if 30 people said they DO want you to give up writing the blog, you wouldn't anyway! You would only be more encouraged to degrade and dishonor your comrades, especially after a humbling day on your bike....seething over being left in the dust....looking for vengeance...consuming a bottle of wine to drown your sorrows....Oh, yeah, you'd post your deranged depictions out of spite.

Reply
anonymous
12/27/2009 11:27:24 pm

If you where to quit you wouldn't get any spent fruit thrown in you car. You'd probably miss that.

Reply
kenda janet
12/28/2009 06:36:55 am

what a rough crowd...how could they not appreciate all of your hard work and dedication to cranking out the best cycling blog in central ohio. seriously, how could they?

Reply



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    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

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