The Cycling Club's Thursday Ride

I got in a short ride on Wednesday, which included a stop to check out the progress of a bridge replacement project, west of Granville.  Hard to say how much longer it will take and all the workers were on their lunch break.

The crabapples, redbuds and other flowering trees have been spectacular this spring.  And than, Thursday arrives and....

....I run into old cycling buddy, Dirty Dan.  Typical, he mocks me, good naturally of course, for getting dropped from last week's B group.  I assured him it won't be the last but I'll round back into mediocre form eventually and be able to hang.

Dan reminded me of a small camera I used to carry so I could take pics during our rides.  With my iPhone, it's too awkward for me to pull out and use and besides, I'm always chasing to hang with the group so no time for pics anyway.

The start temp was 60 degrees for this evenings romp toward Granville.  A smaller group than last week's 65, maybe only 50-55.

Don N once again gave an inspired pre ride speech. He should enter politics that guy, so gifted is he with talking! OK, so most of you probably visit my silly blog to see if you can see yourself in the group pics so with that out of the way, on to the action report.....

The Rivets took off, then the A group, then the B's were split into two groups so I left with the first.  I titled tonight's ride on Strava as "Riding in with the Broom Wagon" so you know where I'm going with this. I was in good shape until I wasn't!  I think I fell back on Battee Road but regrouped, than I was hopeless on the Lobdell Rd climb but regrouped, than as I reached the group I stated, "I'm spewing hydraulic fluid" and someone actually looked for it, ha, ha.  We got on Jug and I was ok to 310 but then fell back...my endurance sucks, although I wasn't the first to drop back so there!  Improvement being made.  I and 3 others were strung out but Don N dropped back to form our Broom Wagon and escorted us in as the sun was setting.  Finished with 35 miles, 18.8 average and 1400' of climbing.  Meantime....

....check the forecast!  Finally.