Marty's Saturday Ride

One of the first good days of the new cycling season brought out a surprisingly large number of cyclists, most of whom were from central Ohio's cycling elite with one notable exception (me) but I was invited for my documentarian skill set and camera.

Even cyclists who were not cycling, Eleanor Sedluk in pink, came out to say hello to Peggy Cook and Meredith.

By the time we were ready to roll, there were 28-30 of us, including Eva on the right with Doug Mcconaha, Philippe and Pete C in the middle.  The ride was promoted as a moderate paced one and I know, like me you probably roll your eyes whenever someone tries to manage that type of ride but if anyone can, Marty is the man.

We cruised out old 161 at the moderate pace but still dropped a couple of people and so waited at the 310 intersection before making a left and then a right on Jersey Mill, rolling into Alexandria then a left on Mounts, a right on Lobbdell and then.....

....turned around at the bottom of the hill where the bridge was out.  With such a large group, we decided a 10% fall rate navigating the planks was an unacceptable loss rate so turned around.  Marty used the old ride leader excuse, "Well it was open last time I rode it." 

We eventually worked around the road closure and ended up on Louden, heading north.  Cookie Lady Kristie was talking about how open was the day, free to ride all day and when we prepared to turn right on Dry Creek she, Meredith, Doug, Jeff S and others went straight.  Some of them were racing on Sunday so did not want to burn all their matches today.  Riding on Dry Creek toward 661, Marty dropped back to let us know the thoroughbreds were going to hit Chatham hard.  Yep, they did.  I clung on for half of it and then watched Pete C spank everyone else who chose to participate. At the top, Luke Russell, riding a cross bike and others wait to regroup.  Luke is having a good racing season competing in the Cat 1/2/3 even though his work schedule limits him to about 150 miles a week,

We headed toward St Louisville where at mile 30, we paused to rest and refuel.  Above the French Climbing Machine on the left, Jon Hastings, Jon Morgan, Pete C and others.  Note how Philippe, is using his bike as a chair.

Practice this at home before exposing yourself to possible embarrassment at the parking lot.  It is harder to do then it looks.  I am certain my fat ass would roll right off the back of the tire.  Philippe is riding strong this year.

As we prepared to depart, Marty gave us instructions on where to regroup and then led us out of St Louisville eventually getting on a very neat road, Berger Hollow, then a right on Martinsburg Rd and a circuitous route back to New Albany, finishing with 71 miles and about 3500' of climbing.  Fun day with good people.