Saturday HOOT Ride Report--Dew & Snickers Takes a Toll

Of course, one can not say it is a successful organized group ride unless one can attract the limelights of central Ohio and so with the arrival of the high powered corporate executive, Kenda Janet, this was a success.  Unfortunately, Kenda Paul crashed about a week ago and now with a separated shoulder, he is out of action for awhile.  However, the Kenda show must go on and Janet does so alone for now.

Eva and Andrew were there too, along with Flyin Tuna in the background.  With about 165 attendees, a pretty good turnout.  We left the parking lot with 15 including the aforementioned along with Steve O, Jeff S, The Donald, Mike Rea, Rick, Larry P, Brent, Andrew Hall and son Nathan and Eric.  We shoved off promptly at 8:00 and soon were headed...

...west on Westfall and a moderate pace under cloudy skies, cool temp, high humidity and light winds.

While the rain had moved far east of us, the clouds and moisture in the air made it seem that rain was imminent.  Nice view south over a field of hay.  At around mile 30, we pulled into Amanda.  Most of us were ready to keep going and hit the food stop in Sugar Grove but.....

...The Donald emerged of course with an arm load of snacks while announcing we would food break here (and likely everywhere that had a market, pop stand or anything that served anything.  I wondered what Mark would consume on this stop so angled for a better view.... 

...ahh, the old standby, Mountain Dew, Snickers and whatever else was hidden in those expansive pockets.  I wondered why Mark always wears the same jersey and finally figured it out. This jersey has the largest pockets of any that he owns.  The pockets come in handy at market stops.

Now there is a downside to all that calorie consumption, you are next to last to arrive at the top of the Revenge climb.  Coming through Sugar Grove it appeared that Janet and I would be the only people doing the 80 mile option but as so often happens, put in a few climbs and distance and eventually, like the fall of a row of dominoes, there is an evolution in the parking lot convictions.

We arrived in Bremen and placed our sandwich orders.  As I was the first in line, I then watched Eric sneak his order in front of mine and then everyone else piled theirs on top and thus I was the last to be served.  Afterwards, the groups split with Janet and me joined by Mike, Eric and Brent on the 80 mile option (actually 84) while the others did the 100 with Andrew and Nathan having earlier split on the 60.  Uneventful return, which is good.

  

The traditional route has been altered because of road closures.  I believe the below to be the new route for the 100 milers but if you encounter a road marking that differs from the gps file, go with the road marking.  If nothing else, this will give you an idea where the food stops can be and how much climbing you can expect.  As for start time, sign up is from 7:30-9:00 but there is a Flyin Tuna/Kenda Janet/Jeff S/Mark Clingan group rolling out promptly at 8:00am and then there is a Luke Russell group rolling out at 8:30.  I have not heard what the 8:30 pace will be.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8243925