The Thursday "Action" Report

Near the intersection of Watkins and old 161, a home having signage that says "Pelican" has this odd arrangement of bottles in their front yard.

My beloved "BH" bike needed a tune-up, perhaps its efficiency could be enhanced???  So I visited Rick Miller's shop and had a great time getting caught up.  Among other things, he installed a new chain.  When telling that to someone later, they asked if it was an "echain", lol.  I wish.

I typically arrive about 30 minutes prior to the ride so I can be the parking lot gadfly.  Here rolls in Soka!  Whoa, I was unaware of teammate Frank's alarming experience when they were in AZ for a training camp.  Remarkable he survived the cardiac event.

Larry P and his new bike.  I stated it was orange and he claimed it's not.

Paul Djupe made an appearance too for the first time this season.  It's been great to see people I have not seen for 5 years but some notable absences too.  Maybe more "old timers" will come out.

Around 55 people came out which seemed low considering the near perfect weather.

The Rivet group seems a mere shadow of its former greatness, in quantity if not quality. One Riveter, Ken Buddell, rode with the A group as this was his 3rd ride of the day, compiling 167 miles and 10k climbing following the completion of tonights ride....wow!

Mike Weber looks back as we regroup after the Alward Road climb.  A friend observed, I didn't lose my cycling fitness overnight and I'm not going to regain it overnight either.  I think I have made minor, incremental gains but I'm still one of the last ones to join the regroups.

It was an interesting route of 35 miles which included dismounting at a bridge to lift our bikes over a chain, walk a few feet and again, lift bike over chain and continue on.  We continued on the counterclockwise route, reaching the long climb on Jersey Mill Road.

I was ok...almost to the top...slid back a bit...clung to the tail of the group while reaching the regroup point.  There, Amanda Orr on the left talking to Andres.  Amanda lost 15 pounds and coupled with lots of miles on the bike, is riding very well.  Finished the 35 miles with a 19.1 average.