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Rocky Ride Report

7/15/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
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).
Picture
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.
Picture
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. 
Picture
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.
1 Comment
Andrew C
7/15/2013 04:55:41 am

Mark V, Doug W, and I embarked on the longer routes since it was such a beautiful day. After we split off from the group that was doing the 68 mile, we ran into Frank coming the other way. He was lost, hungry, and penniless. We sent him back towards the park stop that had food and water and continued on. We eventually turned up the road to climb up Poe. The legs screamed and the GPS hit 25% grade a couple of times before the top. Once up, we passed Janet, Paul, and Frank again coming the other way. Mark V cried out to warn them and eventually Janet and Paul came back to us after we stopped. We got the 3 of them back on the 68 mile course and the 3 of us pressed on. We blew through Moorsville and missed the turn to the south. Realizing our error after a mile or so, we backtracked down the opposite side of the route to get to the food/water stop sooner. Mark V and Doug W enjoyed some fish sandwiches from locals selling food at the gas station. Mark V, fearing the Wrath of Wife, turned back to cut off the 85 mile route and Doug W and I decided to do continue backwards until we got back to Moorsville and get back on the route. We diligently checked the map after our snack stop at SR 50. The climb up Rocky road was brutal and left me wondering what happened to my fitness. The store on Blacksmith looked to be practically brand new and made a nice rest stop. Someone else had come through before us, asking for directions to stay on the route. The other way up Rocky road was much kinder and had some nice shade. Doug W continued to pull me along and we made a quick stop in Kingston before finishing up in Circleville. Because of our extra miles, we were close to 100 and each went out to finish up a century. Very nice, scenic route and awesome map! Thanks Mitch and Peggy for your hard work on this!

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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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