 Eleven of us, on May 7th, a day where the average high is 70 degrees, gathered on a chilly morning of 48 degrees with winds howling from the northwest. Frequently during the ensuing ride, we talked about how, riding in this wind, builds character. If so, what you see above are people of humongous character. Cindy, Gus, Jay and Buzz.  And then the woman of the hour, fresh off receiving her Master's degree from The Ohio State University, having the Best Gawd Damn Band in the Land with the greatest football coach in the history of the NCAA, with the...ok, I digress, strolled into our midst. What an achievement and yet so humble is Peggy Cook.  Rick joined us too along with Jeff S and new guy Todd Fry. What a revelation was Todd, a guy who enjoys grinding at the front into the wind so we can draft behind him! What a guy!!!! We exited New Albany and took a southerly approach into Granville. The pace of these group rides still has me mostly reeling. I have the miles but not the intensity so as always, it is a shock. We arrived in....  ...sunny Granville. A very embarrassing moment occurred here. Gus walked up to me and asked if I was doing the entire route!?!?!? Not a question asked in private but loudly in front of the entire group. OK, I was thinking about cutting the route short but now? I had to finish it!!! What a struggle though. Gus and Todd were the stars of the event and riding like it is July rather than early May. We finished with 67 miles and a 17mph average. Fall can not get here soon enough for me.  The Gus Cook has produced, at the final minute of the final hour of the day before Sunday another option. A 10:00am start from the New Albany Starbucks following this route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/16917424. Described as a conversational B pace with some regroups and of course, look at that route, plenty of short cutting options.  Granville, 11:00am kick stands up, drive to River Road Coffee but do not park there. Instead, go one property to the east and park in the back lot. You'll likely see plenty of cars with bikes so won't require intuition to figure out where to go. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/527383  Then, at 8:00am from Cyclist Connection in Canal Winchester, there is the COP Sunday ride. Will be way too cold for me but if you like to finish a route dead into a screaming head wind, this is the one for you!
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