 Ron Budzik and Gus Cook. Ron was in Tucson a couple weeks ago and rode Mount Lemmon. Had a great time out there and plans to go back. Both were members of the new A group, which used to be the B+ group but realistically, considering the pace, it is an A group. That other group, which used to be the A group, if you don't have a motor in your frame, are not a rapidly rising Cat 4, a Cat 3, 2, 1, did not winter in CA, or a representative of a gene pool comprised of past European pros, you've got no chance riding with the newly minted "Rivet" group. Them guys are good!  Luke Russell's aversion to having his picture taken requires me to be sneaky about choosing my spots. On the heels of Luke's Cat 3 win of last week, he is now a newly minted Cat 2. As of 5:45pm, he had not yet heard from Lori, slogging her way in and out and in and out of the Grand Canyon but that is expected. As of this post (10:30pm), she has been at it for 15 hours so probably another hour. I am excited to read her report. If I can't be there hiking I like to live vicariously through those who are.  The parking lot scene, fun as usual with Meredith cracking up with Peggy and Kim.  There they are, Riveters, Luke, Pete C, Travis, Danny and Nick. The turnout was low tonight, only 45 with 17 rolling out with the Rivet group, around 20 with the A's.  Right to left, Scott B, Christian and a new guy with a thick, southern accent. Alabama maybe?  They come, they gather, awaiting ride leader Rick's words. Rick chastised the former B+, now A group, for last week's group dismemberment out on #161. Yes, the jackrabbit starts from the stops contributed but probably the strong north wind had more to do with the crack-up. By comparison, tonight's group was congenial even hospitable.  Once the Riveters exited the parking lot, the A group did too with Gus, Ron, George, Peggy, Jered, Mick, Scott B, Meredith, Peter from Germany, Deniece, Aaron C, Christian, John & Anthony (guys, quit riding left of the centerline), Ryan S, etc... The pace was easy out to Beech then slowly ramped up but I doubt anyone was dropped, arriving in Granville with a 21.6 avg, there was a spirited climb out of Granville on Welsh Hills Road where Gus nipped Christian and me and then on to...  .....Jones Road where again, Gus got the better of Christian and a trailing me. Then we, get this....regrouped at the bottom. Here our average was 21.1 and after gathering most of our group, we headed west into a softening southwest wind. Shortly after passing Wadkins Road on Morse....  ....Scott had a flat but with the help of Mick, the delay was not too bad but long enough that....  ...the B group caught and passed us led by David Smith and Rick Miller. Once regrouped, we caught the B group, intermixed for awhile and then passed through, finishing with a 20.9 avg. Up ahead, the Riveters, at least those that finished with the front group, finished with a 23.5 avg. Ugh, weekend forecast not looking good.  The routes for this evening's ride east into and out of Granville with the Jones Road climb...ugh. Maybe the storms will hold off so we can get this in. Route A/B 43 mile ride file https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13676702 Route C 33 mile ride file https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13676738
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