Saturday Ride, Sunday Hike & Canal Summer Solstice Ride Info

Headed to New Albany to hook up with the Jon Morgan Saturday ride.  Various groups preparing for Pelotonia were there too and saw many out on the road.

Jon showed up with his new ride, an ultra-light Scott frame with all the latest gadgetry to make him faster then he was.  Guys like this should ride steel frames for the challenge of it.

Marty organized a 78 mile route headed east and an interesting route it was.  I thought I knew all the roads around Licking County but he managed to find some new ones.  It was promised as a "B" pace and the boys delivered on their promise.  Great route and good pace.  Marty and Steve Fields are participating in "Blood, Sweat & Gears" this Saturday while Gus and Peggy are headed to Maryland for that brutal 120 mile/15,000' of climbing on the Diablo Double and I hear John Sada and entourage are headed there too.  Tym Tyler may be a paid mercenary, along with a couple other guys.  It was kind of surreal, riding around with all the green and blue colors, knowing that a few hours later, I'd be.....

.....in AZ for awhile, arriving Saturday evening.  The next morning, got on to a trail for an 8 mile hike back through this canyon and made a jog to the left where you can see the slope descend on the left.  I began the hike at 10:00am and the temp was 97.  The good news is it would only get 6 degrees warmer that day but the bad news is that is still 103.  You are never supposed to hike between 10:00am and 2:00pm but while I struggle with the cold, I love the heat.  The parking lot at the trail head can hold a couple hundred cars but today, only 15 and I seldom saw anyone.

Caught up with a couple of guys, who you can see climbing one of the dry falls, my destination.  Made the mistake of not freezing my fluids the night before so had to drink hot water beginning at the half way point, ugh.  OK, now for the famous Summer Solstice ride.  Flyin Tuna is leading a group out of Canal Winchester at 5:30.  Joining her are some of the usual suspects and anyone wanting to get a head start, are welcome to join.  The A group and strong B's will start at 6:00pm.  Same sign-up routine as usual for this 53 mile route that tops out at Revenge, routes around the prison and drops back via Christmas Rock Road for the return.  Mitch Tallen, the winner of the KOM jersey may or may not be back to defend his title.  The winner of KOM receives the jersey, but Mitch may or may not be there for the hand over, assuming he does not win, if he is there.