Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Canal Sunday

11/5/2010

3 Comments

 
Picture
The Canal Sunday morning ride was visited by "The Others", out on the road.  The Others moved through us like a spirit through a room.  Riding efficiently and smoothly and oh so rapidly, I'm not sure all of our group was even aware of the presence of The Others. More about that later, however. 

The parking lot scene was typical, there were Kenda Janet and Paul sitting on the freezing asphalt, changing their clothes, Eve, Coach  and Jeff S leaving early to ride to breakfast....wait....Jeff S???  Yes, I did a double take when I saw this august symbol of riding dynamism heading out early with Eve and Coach. I don't know the story behind this so don't want to speculate.  What's next, membership in the Dutch Kitchen ride group?
  The sun was very low on the horizon and with the ice crystals, made for difficult photography with all the glare so I have no good images.  Also I was too lazy to walk to the other size of the parking lot.  However, we had a good group of Mark V, Chris, an Albanian speaking dude from Canton, Franz, Kevin K, Dentist Brad, Amanda fresh off a 200k brevet on Saturday, etc...  Roy was there too in civilian dress and completely wiped from riding the brevet with Amanda on the tandem.  That he was wasted and she was not suggests quite a bit about the proportion of effort on their Saturday jaunt, no?

Picture
We did the traditional Stoutesville route, apparently the same as was ridden on Saturday so there was a 45 and 50 mile option.  We headed south on Winchester, went east on Marcy and then south, eventually climbing to the highest point in Fairfield County.  I had gotten a little ahead of the group and missed Janet crashing, while riding up hill.  I'm not sure exactly what happened but she toppled over into some gravel but appeared ok. I saw a group approach and melded in with them and realized it was The Others headed on a 100 mile ride to Kingston then Hocking Hills and back. These guys have ridden together for so long that it's like watching the Olympic synchronized swimming team.  I was privileged to hang in there for a moment and noted they each pedal with the same rpm, chains in the same ring, all grabbing for the water bottle at the same time and taking the same swig of what appears to be the same energy brew.  Incredible stuff.  Where we weenies turned east on Stoutsville, they flowed south.  Note one of the pre-eminent members of The Others, Mark Waites, has already begun his winter, trainer program that will have him emerge in April, stronger than he is after a season of riding.  Mark was nice enough to fax me the program a long time ago but it was Greek to me.  Let's just say it is meant for those who have the will and discipline of an Ironman.   We broke at the market in Stoutsville and soon headed back onto the road.  There was some discussion about relenting on the pace to keep a larger group together but Janet bolted from the parking lot and our group was soon whittled over time to 4-5.  We finished with 50 miles, 1900' of climbing and an 18.2 average.  Strange, it seemed much faster than that.  I returned home to the sweet relief of seeing a friend's trailer with hydraulic lift waiting for me.  We pitched, over two trips, 5 cord of wood into the trailer and used the lift to dump it into my yard.

3 Comments
Jeff
11/6/2010 07:13:45 am

Dennis and I rode today. I'm watching the Alabama LSU game. Everyone in the stands are wearing short sleeve shirts. Bastards.

Reply
Randonneuring Mama
11/6/2010 01:51:41 pm

Rode the 200K with Roy on tandem, Ross and Toshi today from Bexley. It was cold but we did it. A few pics are posted on my facebook page. Looking forward to other locations for Saturday rides as Granville is close to me and I love riding in Newark. Interested also in any plans for riding next week as the temperatures are supposed to reach near 70 by Wednesday :)

Reply
High Point
11/9/2010 11:34:00 pm

Ringold is the highest point in Pickaway County (not Fairfield County)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist who enjoys poking fun at himself but most especially at his friends. No nicknames or comments are intended to offend, accept them in the humor they are intended.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.