We Tried to do 100 at Woodstock but...

I was a late arrival for Woodstock.  Actually, I was in the area in plenty of time but closing that last 5 miles proved a challenge.  Anyway, arrived just as Poobah, Oxley, Flyin & others were departing and followed soon thereafter by the Kendaites.  I signed in, grabbed a "map" and headed out at 9:15.  Later, I heard Craig Butler had made an appearance with the Van Dessel custom carbon fiber bike and regretted having missed seeing it.

Soon, I caught up with Kevin K, Dentist Brad, Scott and Fred.    We thought the route was not marked very well with some turns identified with one marking in the intersection.  We eventually got onto Africa Road and thought it odd that so many cyclists were coming in the opposite direction.  We stopped and took our first look at the map.  That's odd, the route was not highlighted, just a confusing array of arrows.  Others stopped and we put our collective mental abilities together and determined we were off the route (actually, we were not but how would one know?).  We headed west and saw other cyclists turning onto our road and eventually made our way to Delaware where we discovered we had somehow missed 16 miles.  While stopped, there were around 25 cyclists, most scratching their heads trying to figure out the map.  Finally, someone suggested there was a missing page and a northern loop was missing (not true).  We decided to make the best of it and try to follow the road markings.  At times it seemed we were riding in a square but made our way to Galena.  We had spent about 2 hours riding and more than an hour stopped, looking at the map.  I had had enough and headed to Westerville, finishing with only 48 miles.  

In the parking lot, I heard someone call the ride the WWE (Worst Woodstock Ever) but that was a little harsh, maybe.  Also heard them lamenting the extended riding through housing developments.  Being a ride leader is largely a thankless job and I have sympathy for anyone who volunteers for the task.  However, when I arrived in the parking lot at the end of the ride the Kendaites presented me with a chocolate Easter bunny as a small demonstration of their appreciation for my efforts at organizing a couple of rides this winter.  What a nice touch and I hear it calling me frequently from its perch in the refrigerator.  I've already started on the ears.