Saturday Ride Report--Caught in the Vortex

I believe this is the 10th version of Andrew Hall's Sugar Grove roving ride.  Due to the difficulty of the route and the distance from Columbus, it's never had a huge turnout but I thought this year's turnout was kind of low, maybe 25-30?

Those who did attend were in for the usual treat, including Old Chubb on the left and Steve O.

Luke Russell came down in a car packed with the elites, Gus Cook, Dave C and Marty.  Also there was Larry P, sporting an old Roll kit. After a couple of announcements, we headed out into a sunny morning.  After a few miles, we hit the day's first big climb which strung everyone out.  I was waiting for a couple of my favorites to appear when Larry P rolled by, an all-timer favorite who rides me mercilessly and so I jumped on his wheel.  Soon, we formed up with Julie Wu, Michael, Kevin, Frank Seebode and hey, a good working group.  After working through the 2 other kind of major climbs on the opening segment and before we reached #93....

...we were passed by a whirlwind and sucked up in it's vortex as....

....Luke Russell pulled alongside with a "Hi Mark" and quickly pulled past with Dave C, Marty, Gus and a couple others.  Immediately Larry, Julie, Michael, Kevin and me jumped on and enjoyed a good draft all the way to New Straitesville at mile 26, where I bugged out with Larry, MIchael and Kevin as all others kept going, including Dustin, Brent and Steve who we overtook along the way.

Not long did we wait before Mark C, Flyin Tuna, Jeff S and others arrived.  Mark C emerged from the market with not one but 2 cans of Mountain Dew, a Gatorade and a Snickers hidden in his pocket.  Actually, Mark has lost 12 pounds recently but does allow himself to binge eat during long rides.

George rolled in too and after a break, our groups separated with Larry, George, Jeff and me headed for the 70 mile route while Flyin Tuna, above preparing to make a nonsensical point to me, headed out for the 96 mile option. Not much more can be said about the day as we endured the 18 mile grind on Marietta Road before dropping into Bremen and then on to Sugar Grove. 

  

Are you ready to jump into the fire again?  Although it will not be nearly as hot nor nearly as humid as last Sunday's Roll ride, there is another hilly Hell ride on tap.  See you there for an 8:00am start out of Sugar Grove at the Berne Union High School parking lot.  Maps available at the start. Oh, a chill just went down my spine thinking about that climb on the triple nickel. The routes:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2634012
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2633847
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2633754