Tuesday Canal Ride Report--The Line Jumpers

The parking lot is usually a calm scene as people ready themselves and their bikes, while taking a few minutes to line up and sign in.  This protocol was disrupted as a bunch of us were patiently waiting our turns to sign in.  Suddenly, the diva of the parking lot, Kayla Starr, walked to the front of the line, ignoring the little people patiently waiting, signed in, preens a bit and then turns around and strides away. Then, one other guy, who I won't embarrass by naming, elbows his way through the crowd and does the same!  Here, off to the side, some of the little people watch, dumbfounded and incredulous as the scene unfolds. 

Ross signs in while others patiently wait.  It has been suggested that we have more than one clipboard with sign-in sheets but the Canal ride is a very low budget affair and we can not afford anything so extravagant as multiple clipboards.  Maybe at the Thursday ride, sure, COP lavishes them with cash but Canal, we feel fortunate to have one clipboard.

The shade dwellers wait for the start.

Kind of a large A group headed out followed by the Rossi tandem and fellow B's.  As usual, I just wanted to hang in the vicinity of the tandem, who were headed on the long route of 42 miles.  Midway into the route, I became disappointed with the pace the Rossi's were setting and not wishing to do anything about it that would expend valuable energy, I just suggested we shorten the route, which we did by staying on Carroll-Eastern and dropping a little southward jog.  

Suddenly, the A group came through an intersection and joined our stretch of pavement.  They did not appear to be moving very fast and we overtook them.  By this point, they would have been around 35 miles into the route and Retro George was still with them so that said a lot about the pace.  George began peppering Mark C with the usual, "How is it you are still with us, etc...." comments.  He's an equal opportunity insulter.  Our group finished with 38 miles and a 20.0 avg.  The A group, not sure but probably 20.1, based on who was in that group and 42 miles.

The Line Jumper won the village sign sprint and as is the norm, Steve O presented him with the prize.  Those New Albany Carpetbaggers....they come down from the north, drink our beer, steal our women and if that's not enough, take our prizes. OK, seriously now, Steve Oxley spent a lot of time asking for freebies from his various financial service contacts and having run through those got Cyclist Connection to pitch in with prizes too.  Sure, it would be nice if he sprinkled the B cyclists with a gift now and then but at least someone is benefiting from the largesse.

Although the daylight is diminishing, we're going to keep riding at least 40 miles even if it means bringing out stadium lights to light the entire route.  Flat first half and well, kind of flat second half but with a few good rollers in there.  42/33/25 distances.