Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Thursday New Albany Ride Report--Riding a River of Rivets

8/14/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
Behold, the common rivet.  Riding one is an expression of riding at maximum exertion to the point of almost giving up.  It's also a throwback term to when bike seats had rivets and riding forward on the tongue, at least that's what a Google search told me.  All I know is, the Thursday A group is just as often known as riding in the Rivet group because for most of us, we are pushed to and through the threshold of the rivet.  But first.....
Picture
....we go to the beginning of yet another fantastic evening for a bike ride.  Making his first appearance of the season was Kenda Paul, who will also be at the Saturday roving ride out of Newark.
Picture
Kristy Nation was here too and deep in that truck, that plastic container with the red top, were dozens of oatmeal/chocolate cookies which were to be served post ride.  And I freakin forgot all about them post ride and drove out without one!  Idiot.
Picture
Roy Burnham also made a first appearance and when asked, spoke briefly about COP and his resignation from the organization.  Hmmmm, doesn't sound good but the good news is there are enough of us who will organize rides who can step in and provide at least a Saturday alternative throughout the year, if needed.
Picture
Geesh, even Larry Pesyna came out for the first time.  Was great to see so many first timers come out.
Picture
Of course, a lot of old timers were there too and the ranks swelled with about 70 at the start.  The parking lot seemed to have thinned out a bit from previous Thursdays yet on the ride out of town we passed 2-3 large groups of Pelotonia type cyclists so maybe they'll ride for a bit longer.  On the right, Joe, new guy who spent himself later on 161.
Picture
Dirty Dan hydrates for the ride as Ron Budzig listens to.....
Picture
...our ride leader Rick make a few comments and announcements prior to sending out 20-22 of us....
Picture
....in the Rivet group.  Quite a talented bunch.  Sure, Jon Morgan, Shannon, Dave C, Chris G, etc.. were not there but the talent pool is so deep there is always Pete C, Luke, Jon H, Marty, Ken B, etc... to fill the void and keep the group humming. And boy did it hum.  Jon H put in a dastardly pull prior to Beech that sent the cannon fodder scattered to the wind but the light allowed for regrouping.  There, I begged Jon to not be "One of those guys", ya know, the ones who surge to the front early just to break up the group. Jon said he would be "Gracious" tonight which seemed like an odd reply.  Did that mean he would smile while working me over, yeah probably.

As soon as the light turned, two guys just sped away, kind of catching us by surprise.  I kept my cool cause I have no alternative and slotted behind Joe, who put himself inside out to catch and he did!  We rocketed out 161 with the pulls quick and frequent and soon I was in the #3 position...not good.  While still having some gas in the tank, I calmly moved out of line, sorry, coasted back and managed to catch the tail.  Unfortunately, I immediately saw the two in front of me would for sure not last long and sure enough, just then they both dropped and I was unable to cover the gap.  Gus Cook was caught out too so we grouped up with Crazy George and Joe and soon Dirty Dan caught on and we had a nice group going up Watkins.  Up ahead I could see others had been spewed out the back and at Weslyn Church, we added Jeremy and 2 others.  Dang, no solo efforting tonight for me and I was glad about that.

The group kept the pace high and we entered Granville at 23 and even at the top of that nasty Beechwood climb were over 22 for an average.  There we added Paul Stock, Danny A and Ron Budzig, along with the Sada team who must have been out for a ride and slotted in with us. Eventually we came to the stop sign at Sadie Thomas/310 where Paul took advantage of a small gap in traffic to get across.  Of course I can't help but scream, "Stop sign jumper" as the rest of us watched before I too jumped through a small gap and....

Picture
....hooked up with Paul while Danny and others eventually got across and joined in.  I  became apprehensive about the right turn on Miller with the ensuing climb yet managed to hang on with Danny taking the KOM points. We lost a couple of guys there while the rest bunched together for the return, finishing with 43 miles and a 21.6 avg.  Arriving at the parking lot....
Picture
....remnants of the front group were still there with their 22.7 avg formed in a small circle.  As a late arriver, I hung in the second tier, listening respectfully to my betters.  Hey a good ride Saturday and more on that soon.
   
Picture
Well here we go again, another Thursday route as we march toward season's end, whhhaaaaaaa!  Let's make the best of it and you can see the above route and others here:  http://www.thecyclingclub.org/club-rides/thursday-evening-ride/  Remember, print your own map and/or download the route.
   
1 Comment
Joe T
8/17/2015 11:58:53 pm

Thanks for the call-out. Even though it was only my first time, I can easily say the NA COP ride is the best group ride in the city I've been on. Thanks for making a report of the ride, Mark. It makes coming back that much more exciting and welcoming.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.