Thursday New Albany Ride, They Came Bearing Gifts

No doubt Kristie read there was a substitute teacher tonight so she whipped up a batch of cookies and brought them to the ride. 

I received quite a few questions about the location of a restroom and so I sent Bruce off to inspect and he came back confirming that the doors beneath the "150" in the distant building do indeed lead to a very nice facility.

Well, that did not last long.  George has returned after a disappointing two days on the new job.  What he was assigned to do differed significantly from what he was promised he would do, so he is back for the evening rides.

Mike, in the middle, was asked by Rick to announce that the "A's" who drop back to destroy the "B" group shall forever be shunned.  Well, no just don't drop in with the "B" group and ride at an "A" pace, breaking up the group.  Don't be one of those people. Note the guy in the yellow jersey, no jacket, arm warmers or tights. Yikes.  It was a cloudy, cold and windy evening and that cut into the turnout with only 26 and the....

....A group had only 6 participants, led out by Ron Budzig. Where are the stars, the cognoscenti, the Dave Chesrown, Jon Morgan, Luke Russell, Patrick Warren, Shannon Kurek, Marty Sedluk,  Pete C, Rich Lewis, Maya, Lori N, Jon Hastings, Danny Alarcon, Scott Young, Muscle Dude, Paul Stock, Todd Mullins, Tym Tyler, Chris Grisvard, Muscle Dude Junior and others?  Are they too waiting it out for warm weather?

My duties done as substitute for Rick, I drove home, passing the A group above where it appears Benton's elastic band is stretching and about to break.  Or, the more plausible explanation is he is riding way off the back so as not to draft.

Our esteemed ride leader, Rick Miller, will not be able to attend.  However, Rick reached to the depths of the talent pool and a person of almost as much stature, respect, leadership ability, competence, rank, virtue, station, eminence, cachet, caliber, ability and capacity (I bet you know where this is going) will be there in Rick's place........me of course.

Wow, seems like a contest between Ric of Tuesday and Rick of Thursday for most miles each week.  Tuesday the A route was 45, Thursday the A route is 46 miles.  Forty-six hard miles so ride rapidly boys and girls.  I looked at the Thursday forecast yesterday and got out on a nice 71 mile ride north and east of Granville/Newark, using one of Tym Tyler's routes.  The pavement is not good on most roads with a lot of large pot holes, usually in shady areas so be careful. Chatham is a mess in spots.  I will be out for pic taking so dress up and wear smiles.  Here is a link for more info on the routes and remember, print your own map:http://www.thecyclingclub.org/club-rides/thursday-evening-ride/