Saturday Reports--The Frank & Lake Hope

 From Ken Buddell, a summary of the action at The Frank: We started with 8 people in our group. Three of the guys I do not know there names but it Was Pete C, Travis, Dan Rhule and Steve Fields. The 8 of us were keeping a good pace up to the first rest step when we dropped one of the guys. Then by the second rest stop we were getting a little tired. in between the second and third we were down to just Pete C, Travis, Dan and myself. We had all run out of water before we got to the third stop, it was so hot. Between the third and the final stop we all had cramps at one point or another. It was pretty rough but we all made it through. And since this was the last "official" FRANK I was glad to have been a part.

Meantime and meanwhile, well south beginning in Logan, OH, there was the COP's Lake Hope ride.  Options of 75 and 96 miles, coupled with a steamy forecast and a Trek US Postal bike I dusted off from the basement for use, had me intently studying the route for a shorter option.  Above, Brad Blair and about 25 others wait for the start of the ride.

In the foreground, Jared contemplating what lies ahead as he is warned that water stops are few on the 96 mile route.  Only Andrew C and Jared tackled the long route. Not only is the store in South Bloomingfield closed but so too is that dumpy, concrete structure on 278 prior to Lake Hope.

Brothers Simpatico.  The Donald and Bruce.

Eric with Steve O to his right.  Those two with Bob S and Brent J probably led the strongest of the 75 mile group.  So, off we went and with the infrequent refuel stops, we decided to stop at the market....

....at the campground on Chapel Ridge Road at only mile 24.  As we rose from the small wooden seats, our sweat had drained onto the surface leaving behind various shapes.  Because the bench on which I had been seated had a convex surface, my sweat stain appeared to be shaped like a heart.  Oh the tittering and laughter that created. The heat began to be felt and by the time we reached the climb by the Vinton County airport, I just wanted to finish and did not stop there with the others.  Instead I stopped at....

....Lake Hope and was glad that the boat rental place had food and drinks.  There I regrouped with Larry, Lisa and Mark V.  We departed together but I had decided to limit the effort and rode very slowly from that point forward, stopping at the small market in Union Furnace and even in Logan at the Speedway where adding ice and Gatorade to the water bottle was a life saver.  I had no problem with the old Trek although shifting is so sluggish compared to the Di2.  And no, I did not cut the route short, finishing with 74 miles.