Rocky Ride Report

The Rocky Ride, normally set for the 4th of July weekend, had to be put off until this weekend, creating an unfortunate conflict on the calendar with the popular "Tour de Cause" ride out of Lancaster.  I think there were approximately 35-40 who showed up in Circleville, including Kenda Janet, shown above chatting with Peggy.  The talk around the peloton, especially after I caught wind of it from "The Man in Red", was that Janet was seen unclipping and pushing her bike up Chickencoop, during last week's ladies only ride.  It was in stunned disbelief that I heard this and attempted to confirm it through Janet but the normally uber-chatty one turned silent, which I interpreted as confirmation.  You know she won the time trial up Starner during Pelotonia only 2 years ago but the jet-setter is struggling this season (thanks to Andrew C for the above image).

Dirty Dan on the left, Jeff S on the right, patiently waiting for me to get myself organized after I arrived at 7:55 but I was on the bike by 8:03 so not too much of an inconvenience.  Once again, Mitch O created a marvelous map, having dimensions of 11x17, turn-by-turn directions on the back, helpful notes on the front...just an amazing piece of reference and inspiration.  This is a free ride so thanks to Mitch and Peggy for the time, effort and expense of producing something akin to a work of art.  Note to the "pay-for" rides like Spring HOOT, SPOT, etc...  contact Mitch for a copy so you can see an example of how a route map should look.  Cramming a 100 mile route on 8.5x11 is inadequate.

Rolling out of the parking lot, the hills around Tar Hollow pop up on the horizon.  It gets my stomach churning, probably similar to how members of the Lewis & Clark expedition felt when they first cast their eyes on the Rocky Mountains.  After the ascent up to the top of Tar Hollow via Tar Hollow Road, we rode the ridge for a bit before descending to the market.  Above, Steve O and Dirty Dan hover on the road waiting for us while Doug prepares to jump on his bike. 

Gary, in the foreground, crashed descending Rocky a couple of years ago and some say he is still not quite right in the head but he seems normal to me.  The group split after leaving the park, a couple heading south for a loop and a re-entry to Tar Hollow via Poe's Run while most of us went back in via Clark Hollow.  Dan, Jeff, Steve, Flyin Tuna, Brian, Mitch and a couple others stayed on the 70 mile route and finished the ride.