Saturday Ride report--Steve Stunned a Waitress

Our group departs Granville into yet another low humidity, sunny Saturday morning.  David Smith leads us with Steve O and Ryan ahead of me.  Check out Ryan's socks.  It appears these argyle socks are a trend.  That I would notice it and contemplate adding a pair to my wardrobe means the trend has nit its nadir and you will soon be stuffing those socks into boxes destined for Goodwill.

We travel Louden, Liberty Church, right on Sportsman Club to the dark descent on Chatham, made sketchy by recent chip & seal.  Cindy carefully navigates above. The Ridge Runner route descended this too and I think someone crashed.  The gravel is especially thick at the top but not bad once the descent begins.

David and I got out in front and head toward Reynolds Road and the climb there.  The view is....

...idyllic, pastoral scenes.

Coasting down Reynolds toward Utica, a herd of sheep crossed our path.  Thanks to Jeff S for sending me the image.

Some guy at the Utica gas station was sporting a wild pair of socks.  I don't think I could handle the derision if I began wearing this but maybe something more subtle, like all white or all black.  That probably defeats the purpose.

No visit to Utica is complete without viewing the chocolate wheel on Blacksnake Road as we head to Bladensburg where....

...I hit the market for a slice of ham and cheese. David Smith waits patiently for me as we had decided not to don the feedbags at the restaurant.  To be good sports, we did spend a couple of minutes with the rest of the group as they ordered their drinks with Steve's request for a drink of half hot chocolate, half coffee with ice, momentarily stumped the waitress.  David and I proceeded back to Granville, finishing with 64 miles and 4000'+ of climbing.

The COP Ridge Runner Ramble is the primary option, an event that benefits the Homeless Family Foundation.  If you have not yet signed up, the day of ride registration is $50.  I hear the turnout will be very good with a strong group departing at 8:00am led by Jon Morgan, Luke R, Marty, etc...  I can't confirm the route is above but it is what was used last year so it will be close.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/5209505   

Now, for those of you who are looking for something else.  Or who are cheap like me but married to a prolific writer and sender of checks to various charities so can ride guilt free without attending RRR and a route that is similar to every Thursday route , there is this.  From Granville's Wildwood Park, 8:00am.  I believe Steve O, David Smith, Cindy, Engineer Mitch and others will be there.  Stop at market or gas station in Bladensburg.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3662864

There is also the Tour de Cause out of OSU Lancaster, registration opens at 7:00am following routes of 12, 21, 40 & 70 miles. Additional information at http://www.tourdecause.org/#story.  A very worthy cause and I participated last year but the route is very flat and probably meant for the casual cyclist of which there are great numbers of course.