Thursday New Albany Ride Report--Stirring the Pot

Early on what probably was one of the top 2-3 evenings of the year for a bike ride, Retro George labors over his bike, preparing to lay waste to the C group.

Grand Poobah announced, yet again, that he is quitting the job as the B group ride leader.  Once a very strong Cat 5 who once finished in the top 25 in a race and was once runner-up, to the runner-up to the runner-up to the runner-up at a "Tour of Wapakenta" ride, Poobah has seen enough from the uneducated masses who think they are A's but ride like they are C's in the B group ride.  Tonight, a new guy with an "Ariel" jersey violated one of the sacrosanct rules of group riding and Poobah, unretiring for a moment, let the guy know what he did, loudly.

Dave Chesrown signs in but apparently had a flat, fell behind both the A and B group, rode very briefly with the B group and then who knows what happened.

And then the pot stirring began.  I was presiding over the sign in, reminding everyone of  how lucky they were that Shannon was not there when suddenly, and without warning, I was approached by someone who clued me in to an impending bit of drama.  Naturally, my ears stuck up like Spock's and eagerly did I await the info.  This person, who normally is a reliable source of info and sometimes provides me with ride reports and "head's up" about where the A group will attack, told me, "John Sada says he is going to beat everyone at the Sunday Westerville Bike Club's "Dry Run" ride".  Naturally, this perked everyone's interest who was within earshot and my source, for whom I would spend jail time rather than reveal, said, "John has returned from the Yellowstone tour and says he is going to kick everyone's ass."  This ignited speculation about the size of his entourage, who would ride for him, etc......

I saw John off to the side and, as typical of an ace reporter, attempted to verify this info.  John handled it very well, no, he disputed my source's claim, further he was coming to ride the "Dry Run" like an enjoyable tour and enjoy the route and scenery.  Hmmmmm, I wondered if I was being played like a violin by my usually reliable source.  I don't know what to think and so, hope to receive a ride report from someone who participates in the "Dry Run" to let my readers know what is going on.

Also, I heard about an incident that occurred on Tuesday's ride.  The claim is that some 400 lb. guy in a truck passed the peloton, came to a stop, jumped out of the truck, punched one of the cyclists and while doing so, Tym Tyler took the keys out of the guy's truck and they waited for the sheriff to arrive.  More then that I do not know but did anyone hear of this?

Well. I rode out with the B group and had a nice time usually drafting around our 34 mile route, finishing with a 20.4mpg average. The new guy leapt from a stop sign with approaching vehicles and when finally we reeled him in, Poobah gave him a well deserved tongue lashing. That's about the extent of the drama on this little ride.  Meantime, the A group finished the A route with a 23mph average, led by Panzerwagen Hendra, Marty, Jon, Chris G and others.

Well, it's off to PA tomorrow for the Civil War Century.  Dirty Dan, Beth Hale and me with Flyin Tuna as a late scratch due to mother issues.  If anyone wants her pass, let her or me know.

Here is the route for tonight's New Albany ride or, click on this link which takes you to Shannon's site for a closer look.  Shannon is off setting up an event so I will be there with maps and sign-up sheets, while providing entertainment on the side.  I learned how to juggle and will have a chainsaw, knife and burning torch in motion, with a can for tips.
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