Thursday Ride Report--I Did Not "Look"

Good turnout on a fantastic evening for a bike ride.  The brilliant sun forced many into the lone shady spot, as usual.

Jim R performs some stretching exercises prior to the ride.  The C group again had only 2-3.  Can't figure that one out, especially since Pelotonia is over.  

Jonathon waits for Peggy to arrive so he can buy a Cycling Club jersey.  Sounds like all we have left are unisex size "L" and one "XL"  I suppose I could begin making suggestions here about who ought to buy the XL. 

Gus Cook rolled up wearing his new brilliant white shoes.  He thought he ordered black so quite a stark difference but he looks good in them. Someone said the shoes looked effeminate on him, I differed.

The Rivets rolled out with a good group and then a very large A group, 24-25 got going.  Craig on the right, bravely tried his luck with the Rivet group last week and I got a round of applause tonight for his effort.  I encouraged all A cyclists to go out with the Riveters one time just to experience the stark difference in speed.  Jon Hasting on the left, slumming tonight because he has a 100 mile trail run in Leadville next week.

There were two points at which to leave the Rivet/A route for the B route, one in Alexandria at Mounts Road and the other, going through Alexandria (above) then out Raccoon Valley.  Then, left on the Harscrabble Road climb and then hang a right at Corner Road while the A route went left.  Gosh, I am fading fast this season as I dropped anchor about halfway up Hardscrabble and eagerly jumped in with the fast B group on Corner.

We worked our way into Granville, then the Denison U campus and began the Ebaugh Road climb.  Ron (above on right) set a pace none of us could match. I tried and tried and was gaining on Jay P (on the left) who was being a good guy and gifting us the mountain top finish. I may have shot him a brief sideways glance but while we waited to regroup, he claimed I gave him "The Look"....yeah......

......referring to the above famous stare.  I swore I did not as it would have been disrespectful to one of the legends of our group.  Geesh, one must be so careful not to inadvertently offend out here. I set a new PR on the climb but so far from the best of 42 seconds.

We headed west, on Moots Run and then old 161.  Around Mink Road, the A group caught us and we blended in and enjoyed the draft.  It was a little chaotic with Larry P (of all people!) attempting to pass our group on the right but otherwise it was all good.  The Riveters finished the 45 mile route with a 23.8mph average , the A group finished with 21.8mph, the Fast B's with 20mph and the regular B's with a 18.7mph average.  My blend of A and B was 21.1mph. ok, Saturday ride plans coming.

Like a coiled spring we wait and then burst from the confines of the parking lot, heading east prior to following the setting sun back to New Albany. We don't need the club's meteorologist for tomorrow's forecast as even I can see it will be fabulous. Be ready to roll at 6:00pm from behind the Philip Heit Center with either the Rivet, A, B or C groups following a 45, 40 or 31 mile route. See you there, don't be a square!
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19449353
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19449368
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19449449