Thursday New Albany ride Report--An Eventful Ride

I guess around 60 cyclists came out for a good evening to ride a bike.  I managed to get most of them to gather for route warnings but also to give a shout out to the cyclists that won or finished high up in Sunday's State Road Race Championship and who also are regulars at the Thursday ride.  I asked the group to hold their applause until the end because the list was long. Travis won Cat 3 with Terry G at 12th.  Kyle Z won the Cat 4 with help from Danny A who finished 3rd  followed by, beginning in 8th place, Ryan H, Nick K, Brandon W and Isaac M. Adam O won the Cat 5 with Mike C finishing 6th.  Philippe, aka French Climbing Machine, won the Masters 45+, Pete C won the Masters 55+ with Scott B and Doug M high in the standings too. Lori N won the Women Cat 1/2/3 while Deneise and Kim finished 2nd and 3rd in Women 4/5.  Hope I did not miss anyone.

Geoff and Rick are both riding strong this season. 

And so, off the Rivet Group went followed by the A group with Steve Fields on the left.

About 25 were in the A group, Brad, Jay P, Scott B, Kim, Gus, Peggy, Deneise, Mike M, Kristian, Katherine, Jared, Erik, Steve F, Andrew, Christian S, Dan R who had an early mechanical, Rick and others, pausing at the light.  A fun and uneventful route until it wasn't.

In the middle of Mink Road, where Miller crosses, a woman was sitting in a car.  We thought there had been an accident but apparently, she had run out of gas while preparing to make a turn. A motorist had stopped to help and several of us pitched in to push the car into a nearby drive way.....

Deneise offered to stay with the woman but upon exiting the car, the woman was screaming at someone via her phone.  Ack, maybe we should leave her alone so we regathered and headed east.  Entering Johnstown at the top of Caswell, one of us thought he heard the word "Go" and entered the southbound lane of #37 just as a car was passing.  The passing car shielded the view to the south and a car traveling north was not seen by the cyclist.  Fortunately, one of us saw what was happening from a better vantage point and screamed, "Car right!" The cyclist was able to turn left and avoid the oncoming car.  As everyone knows, cycling is an inherently risky activity so it's good we are out there looking out for each other.

Whew, way too much excitement for me.  Well, I had a 70 mile ride in my legs from yesterday so at Concord and Northridge, stepped out of the A group, waited for the B group and the shorter route.  I finished with a 20.1 average and 39 miles.  The A group finished with a 20.9 average and 48 miles.  Meanwhile, Pete C, Kyle, Danny, etc.. were blazing the route, finishing with a 24mph average.  That number seems to be the standard for that group. I'll have Saturday ride options up soon.

Good Morning Probable Attendees to the Ride of Rides; the Thursday New Albany Group Ride. I had a longish ride yesterday and since I am closer to the age of 90 then 20, if I even sense I will get wet, I'm not exiting the parking lot. Since we have attracted new members, I'll go over the group guidelines. If you don't wish to read this drivel, go below for the routes. First, there is the "Rivet" group. They go fast, really fast. How fast you are wondering? If you have to wonder this is probably not the group for you. Expect a 24mph average with no mercy shown (meaning they ain't waiting on you). Then the "A" group r...olls out. They too are fast but will roll in with a 21-22 average. They will pause briefly at the top of any major climbs on the route. Depending on the quantity of cyclists, there will be one or two "B" groups. Previously, we have named these two groups, "Super B" and "Reg B". However, everyone thinks they are a super B so everyone rolls out with the first group. As our numbers swell with the swelling of the temps (more next week then this week) we'll try two "B" groups and leave it at that. The B average speed is around 19-20mph. Then the "C" group bursts into the country side. I don't want to sound like a snob but I have no idea what is their average speed. I hear they do finish, prior to sunset. Each group will have a ride leader. The ladder of responsibility is higher as you drop down the groups. The Rivet leader just rides out of the parking lot, ensures an orderly exit from New Albany and then the Hounds of Hell are released. Same with the A group but the leader makes a small attempt at a couple of regroups. The B leader is more caring, may stop at some intersections to make sure every one gets through, will ensure regroups are legit, etc... The C leader is a true escort, reader of all the great works, intellectual, wine snob and will provide entertainment throughout. Below the routes. Hope the rain holds off.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18100670
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18100704
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18100726