Saturday Ride Report--East of Newark We Went!

Let this be a lesson to you; don't listen to me when I don't know what I am talking about.  There was plenty, maybe even ample, parking behind Starbucks.  All the concern that people should ride in from satellite parking lots was unfounded.  Oh well.

Sandy Donald, upright and suffering from no ill effects from Thursday's graceful fall.  We move to the front of Starbucks, the official meeting spot and .....

....find Meredith, Kyle, Chris, Marty talking to Dave C and arranging to pick him up as we depart New Albany.  Brad on the right.  A good group of hardy cyclists that also included....

Dirty Dan and Deniece.

We roll out with 22-23 and then pass.....

....Jeff S who was waiting for us.  See Jeff ride.  Ride Jeff ride!  He did catch us and later we added Tym & Lisa T.  We passed many Pelotonians riding in the opposite direction.  A police motorcyclist announced loudly to us, "You're going the wrong way!"  Not sure if he was joking with us or not. 

We followed a rolling route that included Seminary Road and got on to Ridley's Tract Road where we passed.....

....the infamous Burning Tree Golf Course.  Infamous because it is one of the worst courses in Ohio but years ago, while digging a pond, the course owner, Sherm Byers, unearthed an almost perfectly preserved Mastodon. Then we arrived next to....

....Dawes Arboretum where Marty promised there would be spring water to drink.  Unfortunately, the water line was being repaired so we paused briefly to refuel while standing on the side of the road.  So far, we pretty much had everyone together except for 3-4 people.

This is what it looks like when you are practically the last person to arrive at a regroup point.  Everyone stares at you.  It's kind of embarrassing but my legs were not feeling so good on this hilly section that included (Un)Pleasant Valley Road, Watson and well, lots of other roads.

At mile 47, we paused in Newark which is becoming a happening place with all the construction and restaurant/retail moving in.  Alas, the coffee shop had only coffee to drink so Dan, Larry, Lisa, Jeff and me went around the corner to the UDF shop. 

Isaac's stylish sock and shoe combo.  Someone said only a pimp would wear that but I disagree but not strongly.  The gang rode around the corner to pick us up at the UDF but a troubling episode occurred.  I think it demonstrates the quality of the character but you be the judge.  Lisa, Larry & Jeff had just exited the building with a snack and were not ready to go.  Dan leaped to his feet and shouted, "Can't miss the draft opportunity."  Thus leaving the three alone to face the horrid SW winds going back to NA. Of course I wanted to stay to help the three-some but what if Dan was unable to catch the group?  He would be easy prey to Newark's underworld so I went with him.

Our route had us going through Granville so we saw Granville's notable outpouring of support.  There had been some talk about avoiding Granville but I'm glad we got to witness the Pelotonians who kept coming and coming and just when they stopped coming.....

....they entered 161 and were now riding alongside us for a little while.  Above we wait to be waved through an intersection.  Tym & Lisa with Gavin.  Finished with 70 miles, 2800' of climbing and an 18.6 average.

Starting at 8:30am from in front of Starbucks. Will have no issue with Pelotonia.  Can't park behind Heit Center but New Albany High School is an option or an adjacent park or the Park-n-Ride on Beech.  This is a Marty led ride full of fun, a couple of regroups, avid hill attacks or whatever you want.  Route is:https://ridewithgps.com/trips/16615060