Riding Toward Sunrise and Savage & Chickencoop &, etc.....

Early at OFC, Rick Miller arrived with Farmer Mike, Gus & Peggy and 3-4 others.  Poobah was there snooping around for freebies out of Rick's van. 

The high school band was practicing in the field next to our parking lot, preparing for an afternoon football game.

So many ride options spread the cycling folks from Lancaster (CFC), Sugar Grove (OFC), Circleville (KFC), Malabar Farms Park (re-do of "The Frank") and Alley Park (Beth Hale & friends ride).  I heard 25+ showed up for the re-do of "The Frank", a surprising number for that 11,000' climbing monster.  Here in Sugar Grove, I slotted in with Gus, Woody, Todd M, Peggy, Larry P, Mitch Tallen and others.  Probably 65-70 were out for the OFC ride.

As the sun rose above the tree line, we headed out for the first of today's climb, Savage Road and then Chickencoop.  Our band split, predictably, early and I was soon riding alone.  Out on Marietta Road, I got in with Greg Dubois and Joe G, who entertained me with details about their recently completed cycling vacation to Italy.  Soon, they exhausted their inventory of information and on a descent, Greg bombed it, Joe hung back and blocked me and then rode away on the next ascent.  Those vacationers who pick up tricky cycling techniques from the European racing scene.  I continued on, reaching New Lexington and running in to.....

....David Smith, one of the SAG drivers who fortunately experienced a boring day other then ordering a cyclist into the van as he was seen pushing his bike up Walker Hill outside Marietta.  I did not know Dave had that authority so am glad he missed me as I was probably a candidate for pick-up on several occasions.  Heading out of New Lex, I hung a right at Tunnel Hill Road and cut off 7 miles, re-catching the route at #555. I know what you are thinking but I was riding Saturday only and wanted to keep the miles at around 100.  At 555, I avoided a turn toward Malta and kept on 555, eventually reaching the market where we break during Andrew's Roving Ride. 

Turning right on to 78, one soon reaches what may be the best view on the route, before moving on to Glouster where I stopped again.  A guy in a NE Kenda kit caught me there, also on a single day mission, telling me as he rode away, I would likely catch him soon.  Strange words indeed, directed towards me.  However, I did catch him as he seemed to be struggling this day.  Eventually the route ended back in Sugar Grove with 98 miles, 8500' of climbing in 6:14 ride time, not total time.  I kind of enjoyed the markets and gas stations too much.