Saturday Ride Report

The cycling community is saddened to learn that Kenda Janet fell from her bike on Friday and now has a broken collarbone.  But, cycling life must go on and so we gathered to head out on a beautiful morning on a 67 mile journey during which I learned of shocking and I mean shocking news (see below).  There were twelve of us including Ryan in white, Jake in red, Porter in an OSU kit, Larry P, Eva, George, Flyin Tuna, Blair, Stefano, Chad and Gary.

We maintained a moderate pace until faced with a "Bridge Out" sign on Dry Creek Rd.  Arghhh, I had forgotten about that impediment but after some discussion we decided to check it out and relieved to discover it is now crossable with a solid surface.  You have to dismount but easy to cross.  We hit Chatham Road pretty hard and there waited to regroup.  No sign of the crazy dude and don't know if he survived the injuries from being struck a couple of weeks ago.   At mile 30, we cruised into.....

....St Louisville and paused but not for long.  A little after the break George announced he is taking delivery of a NEW bike next week.  A Giant, carbon fiber and geared to be a climbing machine.  George downplays the impact the bike will have on his climbing prowess but I suspect he thinks it will help a great deal.  I had to ask how much was the bike but he could not answer.  I asked if he planned to steal it and told him I will ride with just about anyone but draw the line at a criminal. He assures me he is buying it. Dang,  He is going to kick my ass on the Stone Quarry rollers. 

Ryan asked about the location of a restroom and Eva leaped at the opportunity to lead him to the ball fields where a Port-a-John is located.  I've seen this scene play out before as the Black Widow lures an unsuspecting fella to a remote location and then only she returns.  We decided to head to the ball fields and regroup and then....

....others too took the opportunity to also take a quick break while Chad, Ryan and the rest patiently waited the few minutes.  All in all, little lingering and we got back into the route which included.....

....the rustic Berger Hollow Road on our may to Martinsburg Road and the beginning of the turn back to the west which included the climb over Welsh Hills Road where we were glad to discover the nastiest parts of the pavement have been patched.  Not expertly but at least now there are only a couple of small holes to avoid.  Arriving......

....in Granville, we thought about stopping to grab a snack but about half the group wanted to keep going and the half that wanted to stay didn't want to miss the drafting possibilities so we left intact.  A few people began to wear down and rather than leave them alone, some of us scaled back the pace and kept almost all of the rear enders together.

Above, George makes the rounds prior to heading home.  The Black Widow ponders whether to offer George a ride but too many witnesses.  I rested a bit when I got home and then trudged to the wood pile to begin splitting where I saw some movement and....

....saw a Grater snake snag a frog.  I did not think it possible the snake could swallow the frog but it kept moving up the leg and then the grog began emitting little squeeks.  I was torn cause the snake needs to eat but those "eek". "eek" noises got to me so I grabbed the snake's tail and using a stick, pried the jaws and the frog got away.  I carried the snake across the road where it can resume its search.   

While I encourage participation at the Frank, there are some of us who would rather not suffer to that extent and are riding out of New Albany, in front of Starbucks, at 8:00am.  Will be a good group, moderately paced ride and you can view the route here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/7695716