Storm & Blue Jay Ride Report....such as it is

Wow, can't add much to what you have heard elsewhere about the Friday "Land Hurricane" other than our power was restored on Sunday afternoon. I was surprised anyone showed up Saturday morning but a few did come out, Brad the Dentist, Denver Dan, Mark C, Andrew C, Retro George, Kenda Dave, Ron and Cindy.  Plenty of puzzled, "why am I here" facial expressions.

Radar watching was the focus as it appeared more storms were on their way.  Here, Dave provides the background so that Kenda gets another plug.

Tim F, Evie, Beth, Eve and Dave M and David S rode into the parking lot after being thwarted by downed trees and foreboding looking radar.  They had ridden 6 miles and packed their bikes into their cars just as the parking lot was swept with wind and rain but it just as quickly stopped.

A senior moment for Flyin Tuna.  Searching frantically for her keys before discovering they were still in the ignition.  Well, judging by Andrews comments, which set a record for exaggeration piled on hyperbole, three hung around and went out for a partial Blue Jay ride.  I returned home to fire up the chainsaw and began clearing trees and limbs. 

Showed up Sunday to do the BJ ride and there too was Brian, you know, the guy with the Stay-Puft marshmallow man on his calf.  OK, it's not really the Stay-Puft dude but it makes for a better story.   

We headed out Blue Jay and ignoring a "Road Closed" sign, rounded a corner and saw the above on the 2nd big climb of the route.  The trees in the foreground were not a problem but those in the background were huge oak and maple trees producing a thicket of branches.  It took a few minutes but we were able to forge a path through the branches and wires and kept going.  From that point on, while the landscape was filled in down trees, none hindered our riding, which was also filled with the constant hummm of generators.  

We made it to Zanesville where the market was open.  I doubted we would find anything open on the return or that the well at Flint Ridge would be running so after we climbed Kopchak and reached Morgan, the turn south, I elected to forego the southern swing and headed to 40 and then north on Poplar Forks.  We passed Blue Jay and took Staddens Bridge Road which also had a "Road Closed" sign.  We were forced to climb around some trees but eventually made it back to the "Y" with 60 miles and 4200' of climbing.  I actually felt kind of guilty, riding my bike around while hundreds of people were outside working.