Tuesday Night Sizzler at Canal

Hot evening in the temperature department and on the roads, mixed in with high humidity, new riders and hills caused Rick Holt to observe, "You'll have a lot of material to write about tonight."  Large turnout, around 50 with two cars full of bikes showing up at the last minute,  Three cyclists making their first appearance of the year from Jeni's and two guys from a B1 Bianchi team hopped out. To that mix of perceived heavy hitters was Mitch Tallen, a Savage Hill rider, Walker guy, Boss, Group Killer and the normal host of regulars. Sicko Ryan had devised a mountainous route that was sure to create a scattering of riders, early. Note to self.  Remember to suggest to Ryan that he who devises such a monstrous route is obligated to ride it.
We headed out to Waterloo and that long, slightly uphill stretch to Slough. The pace was fast but not killer as no one wanted to ride too hard at the front and not have enough for the Slough hill.  The large group was already breaking up a little.  George was yakking in 3-4 versions of the "how surprised he was that I was hanging on." After the rollers, we reached the foot of the Slough hill and I thought I was too far from the front, therefore susceptible to getting caught behind a gap or two so I rode around some people and slid in at at the #5 or 6 slot.  Jamie accelerated and I of course drifted back a little but still got to the top at #6 or 7, with a core group of 5 together and coasting down the hill.  They turned right on Amanda Northern, soon I did too and they relaxed a little and I caught back on, up to the first stop sign and then on to the two hills.  I dropped back quickly and noted my legs felt really tired.  Steve O passed, showing whatever mental and physical maladies have afflicted him he is at least regaining his form.   Then a Bianchi guy passed, ok, young kid passing the old guy.  Then the Savage Hill guy passed, then Jeff S steamed by but I jumped on his wheel and I think there were 4 of us reaching the top of Amanda Northern before turning on to Benson.  Steve, Jeff, and two others put in a good effort on that mostly downhill, rolling section but I had nothing left and began to despair, a little.  Turned onto Pickerington and those hills.  Steve was maintaining a good pace and was only a small gap from Jamie, Boss, Mitch and two Jeni guys.  I stayed with Jeff, a Savage Hill dude and someone else. 

We were riding up one of the foothills when in the distance I saw a cyclist coming towards us. Quickly the riders form took shape and I thought, "What's this!" as Jamie rode by.  At the time I thought the heat must have gotten to him (more later).  What a grind it was with the heat and humidity, finally reaching the final summit, where I was totally spent and breathing way too hard.  A second rider had given up and he too was coasting back to the parking lot. We coasted down to Coonpath, turning left but my legs were ded and furthermore, DEAD! I was full of self pity and panicky, running through the last several days and wondering if I had been over training, over eating, maybe the poison ivy I pulled from the woods had given me weak cyclist poison????  We all fight these demons at every level I am sure, at some time.  I was not, nor could not ride hard on Coonpath.  The third Jeni rider passed me and motioned for me to join but I could not.  We rode apart for awhile then he sat up, looked back and said, "Let's wait for these other two guys and form a group."  Immediately, a cloud of dread swept me and I began having an anxiety attack with anxiety sweat adding to exertion sweat as I sensed what this meant. I slowly turned my head and, EGADS, it was George. Humiliation complete. He had pulled Kevin with him and we now had a merry group of one yakker and three sufferers.  At the end of Coonpath, a Bianchi B! guy had just made a right but I thoiught the route went left to Mt. Zion so there we went, off route.  I did a quick map check and noted we would be back on the route by staying straight to Crumley.  We rode together but upon reaching Crumley, instead of turning left to stay on the route, I packed it in and turned right. 

This gave me the opportunity to see who was in front and in the distance 4 riders approached, Boss at the front, Mitch and two Jeni riders.  Not too long after, Steve rode by, going strong and maybe able to reach the lead 4.  Then came another, than Jeff and that was it.  A little later I passed Mitch but it appeared everyone else had quit the 44 mile route or were so far behind that by the time I headed west, off the outbound route, I just missed them.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS.  I suck.  Other than that, I called Jamie and he said he felt fine, having led up Slough and up Pickerington but at the top of Pickerington he sat up and decided he didn't want to ride anymore.  Further, he noted he has been riding hard every time out, he's burned out and he is giving it up to focus on running, until the fall.  NOW, at the front, my sources tell me, The Boss continued to set a scintillating pace and the Jeni guys dropped off, leaving Craig and Mitch to battle it out with Mitch drafting into Canal, behind our man Craig.  ALSO, Randy, Pastor Mark, Cindy, Susan Haas and Mike Smith rode 78 miles from Newark to Somerset and back.  With the big ride to Pittsburg coming on Monday, I was told Randy appears to have overtrained and needs to take a few days off.  It was also noted in the Canal parking lot that for all the riding they have done, it does not appear to have lowered their weight.  I defended them by saying that frequently the Across the US cyclists look like Clydesdales because they have to consume so many calories to fuel their rides.  At least, I thought that was defending them, maybe not.  IMPORTANT FINAL REPORT:  Roy made an appearance and looks like he has lost a bunch of weight while battling illness.  Was unable to talk to him but will find out.