The Stars Were Out for a 25.1 MPH Avg!

Thursday morning I drove just north of Mt Vernon to check out a new route, sent to me by someone who probably wishes to be anonymous.  I did not have time to ride the entire 100 miles but saw enough of it to know it's a good 1000' of climbing per 10 mile type of course and I was told this is where "The Others" train when getting ready for Mountains of Misery, Bridge to Bridge, Mountain Mama, etc....  Will get back soon for the entire experience.  Mostly I cut the route short because....

....I can't miss the usual lively parking lot scene, typical prior to each Thursday evening New Albany ride.  Good turnout of 55+ cyclists.

The B people hover in the shade, most notably Mark V, continuing his wear of outrageous clothing, this torn from the body of a highway worker.

Poobah passing along more wisdom to Danny A.  Dude could write a book about everything he knows, or at least a comic book.

Strong group of A cyclists, led by Shannon, Garth P (riding in his 12th Leadville race in a few weeks) Marty, Dave C, Tym & Lisa Tyler, Danny A, Terry, Doug M, Pete C, Chris G, Jon Morgan, dude with Ohio tattoo on his calf, John Sada, Mike Rea, Claude, other usual suspects and all with the genuine bone fides, except George and  I.  The gang does not seem to mind me hanging at the back as long as I don't get in the way.   

So, 22+/- roll out old #161, into a light head wind out of the southeast.  The 4-5 guys rotating off the front seemed to be working kind of hard but way in the back, it was calm and I had time to exchange pleasantries with a variety of folks.  George popped out fairly early but surprisingly, Lisa T did too some where short of #310, where we caught the light and glancing down, I saw our average was 24.7mph.  We restarted, arriving at the Outville Road turn towards Alexandria with a 25.2 avg.  Maybe 1-2 others had dropped back but the peloton was hanging together, up and over the rise on Moots and on into Granville, with a 25.1 avg. after 17 miles  My legs were starting to fatigue so when the group turned toward Hankinson Road off #661, I kept going straight, and arrived back at the parking lot with a 21.3mph average.  Had around 80 miles for the day so that's not too bad.  

Meanwhile, the A group hit Hankinson and broke up a bit.  The lead group finished with a 24.2 avg.