Thursday New Albany Report--A Man's Gotta Know His Limitations

Kenda Dave signs in while not wearing a Kenda jersey.  I thought perhaps the withering abuse and embarrassment had finally taken its toll and he had given up but no, he was simply having it washed.  Dave says most days after a ride he takes off his jersey and just stands it in a corner for the next use but decided to have it washed for once.

Franz asked that I take a pic of Miya (I know, not the correct spelling of her name so someone correct me) wearing a jersey inspired by something out of the 60's.  Maybe a retro jersey.

The group that normally hangs out in the limited shade area were joined by a couple of the superstars, Marty and Danny, thus transforming the group's image, slightly. 

Massive and I mean massive turnout for tonight's ride.  Small group of A's, only 19 but Nathan said he counted 53 in the B group who were in front of him at the time, with more behind.  They were lined up three abreast and swarms behind that sometimes crossed the yellow line.  Probably I should have sent out a couple of B groups but Nathan said when that is done, everyone just goes out with the first B group anyway.   

Meanwhile, up ahead in the smallish A group there was the usual rotating at the front that systematically and orderly shelled the group.  It was one of the more intense efforts I have witnessed and within the first 5 miles, six guys disappeared including Retro George, Mick, Tri-Tech guy, Accel, Doug Mc (whose vacationing in far-flung places has impacted his fitness), a young skinny guy who I've not previously seen try to hang with the A's and maybe one other person. I point out the names only for the purpose of demonstrating how intense must the pace have been to have so soon lost some good cyclists.  

Around mile 6, the group began to echelon.  Maybe they do this on a regular basis and I am oblivious to it as I understand my limitations and wisely draft in the very back but I found myself too close to the front and had no choice but to pull through.  Later, funny man Jon Morgan told me, "I've never seen you ride so fast.  You were doing 28mph out 161."  The problem with that is I was doing 28mph (briefly) while also doing it into the wind (briefly too).  I politely asked the guy to my right if he could ease up just a little so I could actually pull to the side and in front of him, which he did.  Then, Billy C rocketed by on my left and did not slide in front of me but kept going with a full head of steam........

.....desperate, I spotted a gap coming up from behind and leapt in, pedaled furiously, lost energy furiously, gave a final gasp and dropped out at freakin mile 7. Ahead, Marty, Dave, Billy, Chris G, Tim Tyler, Jon M, Danny, total of 12, stormed away and arrived in Granville with a 25.1 avg and finished the 42 miles with a 23.1 avg.  George and Tri-Tech dude hooked up with me outside Granville and we rode together until they stayed on the A route and I made a left at 661 and then left again at New Burg, where I eventually got in with Flyin Tuna's group.  The intensity of this group was a tad bit easier and I enjoyed the ride back to New Albany, finishing with 34 miles. 

Shannon has to be out of town so I'll be there to sign you in.  Distances are 41, 31 and 18 miles. COP has given me a supply of Black Cards and I plan to hand them out liberally to those who are richly deserving.  What is a Black Card you ask?  It is a lifetime ban from any and all COP events and holders of said cards will be subject to ridicule and humiliation by legions of people.  OK, just in case someone believes this, there are no black cards but don't act like a dipshit during tonight's ride, no running of stop signs, that sort of thing.