The Cement Mixer & Thursday New Albany

On Wednesday, I resumed my volunteer work at the son-in-laws fence building project. For some reason, I could not be the "Cut Man" who stands at the saw and cuts the posts to length, I could not be the "Hold the Post Vertical Man" who stands next to the post and makes sure it remains exactly in place, no I was the "Carry 80 Pound Concrete Bag Man." This guy picks up 80 lb bags, places in wheel barrow, distributes bags to each of the 45 holes. Later picks up each bag and opens in the wheel barrow, adds water, shoves 80 lbs of concrete around to mix it, shovels out 80+ lbs of concrete into each hole and when enough is in the freakin hole, told to cap each hole off with dirt. Oh yes, and when a hole was off center, I had to shave it with the post hole digger. After 6 hours of this, I short cutted the project and left them with 10 holes to fill. I was beat and today I was stiff and tonight I was not so good so I asked Young Phenom Nick to provide his version of the ride, which starts a couple of captions below.

A very light turnout early with some of the usual suspects already off to New York yet a couple of new guys showed up, Nick of course but also Euro Patrick making his first visit to join in with Shannon, John G, Doug M, Mick, Terry, Rick (first time this year), Tym & Lisa T, Gus & Peggy, Steve Nelson, Dave C, Poobah, around 22 who left the parking lot.

John Gorrilla in the middle became a first time father last Friday. Adele and baby girl are doing well.

Shannon and Doug M in the middle, Peggy, Gus and John G in the background. Some how, by 6:00, it was another large crowd and we left the parking lot, out 161, right on Mink, left on Condit then on to Headleys Mill and a left on Alward. I was dropped immediately and even missed the formation of the back-up A group which looked to have 5 people. When I reached the top of Alward I had a 22.5 avg but then soloed around a short route of 30 miles and 20.7 avg. Great route tonight of 46 miles. Now, Nick picks up the action:

We started out and I was a little nervous not really knowing the roads. It was a fast start much like this Tuesday. On the first climb (Alward) 10 miles in there was a small hill. It split the pack In half. After that I just sat in around mid pack just saving energy. The same 3-4 guys were pulling for a long time. ( it was the ride leader, a man in the new Hampshire cycling jersey, and a few other power guys.

Once we hit Raccoon Valley we were down to about 20 riders. It was a long tempo up Hardscrabble Road and I just sat in still conserving fuel and feeling really good. ( using Todd Lee's advice.) We dropped a team 614 rider and a man named John rode home (John Gorrilla maybe). After the climb it was just a speed fest! Very fast.

The last 15 miles I decided to make a move on Miller. Me and the other Tuesday rider (Euro Patrick) with the Eddy Merckx bike rode off the front. We were caught by the ride leader, and about 8 others. We had a gap and we team time trailed all the way to the end with a 24 mph avg. I was very impressed and had a good time. I had a lot of fun!! Which was very nice. It was different to ride with other people. (sorry if I didn't know many names.) it seems a tad more serious than Canal. Not as hilly but very fast. I'll definitely come back again.
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