New Albany at its Best

Large turnout for the New Albany ride.  Good mix of cyclists including Roy, finally making consistent appearances as he recovers from health issues.  Judging by how much weight he has lost, once he regains his fitness he'll pull a surprise like Armstrong on the climb up Sestriere at the 1999 Tour, or something like that.

Lot of racer types and the usual mix of strong, scruffy looking amateurs like Geroge, Paul Stock, Todd Lee, Mick, Dennis. some guy who is a brain surgeon (no kidding), that big dude who is one big muscle, Jeff S, Greg Hall and more.  That Dennis, every time I see him looking at me his eyes are two smoldering orbs of revenge and motivation.  I can only hold him off for so long before superior genes and youth finally catch me.  He wants his revenge for my numerous taunts and he will not be denied.

Around 48-52 cyclists gathered around Jeff as he explained his route and then off we went, headed out old 161.  Decent pace but a large group of maybe 25 stayed mostly together as we dropped over to Jersey Mill and that downhill stretch to Alexandria.  The pace quickly picked up higher than my compact crank allows me to spin and I slowly dropped back, including sliding by Dennis who I think snickered.  As I dropped farther back I was amazed at how many strong B types were holding on. Fortunately, I caught back on at Alexandria and saw Dennis noticeably frown.  We rode hard out Raccoon Valley to Louden and at the hill before Louden and again on the rise at Louden, there was some separating but no one could seize the lead and drive at a pace that would drop all but a few.  I hate to keep saying it but there is no one showing up that is able to match Group Killer's scintillating pace.  We're just one big group of cat 3, 4 & 5 cyclists who can't separate from a larger group. I LIKE THIS!!!!!

Still, the pace was eliminating the unworthy, and as we turned the corner at the bottom of the hill on Louden, I looked back and saw that damn Dennis still there!  I started to panic and my neck began to ache as I kept swiveling it to see if he was there,.  I did note George had dropped off, which was unusual.  We reached Sportsman Club and turned onto that agonizing stretch of three hills.  Mick kept attacking and I can't remember someone able to jump from the pack, drive a hard pace, fall back in and do it over and over.  Someone said they saw him injecting something every time he fell back into the group.  I later told him he was a group agitator.  The long, uphill stretch finally took its toll and many fine riders had slid back and we were down to 8.  At the top of Sportsman Club, someone yelled to turn left on Northridge but I yelled to stay straight to Castle.  After some good natured disagreement, I made a $1 bet with Mick and later collected, despite me urging him to keep the dollar as a lesson against the evils of gambling.

A left on Castle and a right on Concorde brought us into Johnstown with a Walker guy setting a good pace.  Up to this point the route had been a good one but once in Johnstown we endured 3 stop lights that allowed some regrouping and as we left Johnstown we were back to 10, including the big muscle dude and Jeff S, who had pulled him all the way back on. Out of Johnstown there was a good decent and than a climb, followed by a long straight stretch and we were flying.  We finally headed south and after what seemed like 100 stop signs, arrived back in the parking lot, 40 miles and a 22.1mph average, probably skewed a bit down because of the stops and starts. 

We spent some time talking and it was noted George had not yet arrived.  The brain surgeon said he has talked to a heart specialist friend and I believe George is going to get his much needed procedure very soon at a discounted rate.  Super Dave said he had passed George, who was headed in the opposite direction on Louden and turning onto Stone Quarry. I rode back to Granville on a route I thought to be the most direct George would have taken to see if I could spot him, but did not.  There is a story here and if anyone has heard anything, please comment. 

BLUE JAY, SATURDAY AT NEWARK Y, 8:00AM, BE THERE OR BE SQUARE.