Tuesday Report

Gary V signs in.  Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Nick V fund.  I am somewhat worried about Grand Poobah's effort.  He gave me the classic, "I sent him a check." line, hooowwwww original is that one?  I later told Gary to be on the lookout and to let me know if the check doesn't arrive.  Kevin H quipped, "Yeah and if it bounces, Todd will write you another."

Some old, new faces turned out, Claude, who claimed this was his first group ride of the year but that he has been training in the gym.  Held up pretty well as it turns out.  He's taking classes so is unable to make it to many rides.

Another guy who used to be a regular, Rick, making his first appearance at the Tuesday Canal ride.

Just about a perfect evening for a bike ride but the sun was intense so the shade seekers were numerous.

Kevin on the left, Nick and Gary V.  A good route that was a little confusing, made so by my last minute changes to avoid a road closure and a potentially busy section of Coonpath. 

New phenom Luke (in blue) who has a refreshing attitude and who craves feedback on his group riding skills and group etiquette.  Jon Morgan has given him some pointers and is quick to point out that Luke has great potential.  Of course, the same was once said about me and now look at me.  Steve O chimed in, "Yeah, now he is a crippled blogger." or words to that effect.  How true.

A smiling Mark C, leader of the B group who rode the A route and again, cut it very close at the end but still, they made it.  So, good turnout tonight of 46-48 with an unusually strong A and B group.  Jon, Hendra, Muscle Dude, Paul Stock, Luke, Pete aka HJB (Human Jumping Bean), Nick, Steve O, Old Chubbs Dustin, Jeff S, Claude, Scott Boss, Kevin, Randy Brown and a few others headed out first on a 53 mile route.  We paused a couple of minutes and then Mark led us out in a large group having Dirty Dan, Poobah, Katherine, Corvair, Matt A, Mark V, Kevin H aka Pepe Lapew, John Dey, Ryan R, Dane not Dean, etc...  Good C group too so keep coming out.  Steve H is there every week to lead the new and recreational cyclist on slightly shorter routes.

The B group arrived, largely intact, at the A/B route split at mile 16 at Stringtown Road.  Mark C took maybe 3-5 people with him but the hoard went with us.  I thought it best to carry those that came with us for a few miles, rather than leave them fending for themselves so far from the finish.  I lassoed Kevin H a couple of times to let some people back on, gave Poobah a tongue lashing for white lining while taking a .1 mile pull, regrouped a couple of times and then we got onto Lake Road. going north with most of us still together.  Then, the front A group of Dustin, Jon, Hendra, Paul, Scott, Luke, Pete came by and all thoughts of being a caring ride leader went out the window and so Katherine, Kevin H, Claude (who we picked up earlier) and 1-2 others jumped on the A tail.  The pace was not so hot so I rode to the front to see what was the impediment, oh, Dustin so I rode by while encouraging him to pick up the pace and promptly, rode past the Canal Road turn.

How embarrassing as most of us over shot the turn but we regrouped and headed west.  As we got closer to Baltimore, the pace slackened so I rode to the front to see what was the impediment, oh, Dustin again.  I tried mocking him but made the mistake of verbally assaulting a guy who is more quick witted then I.  I retreated to the rear again.  We made a right on Cherry and about half way to the next turn, Pete was being a little erratic, jumping left and right of the wheel in front of him and nearly taking Katherine down a couple of times.  She announced she was done and sat up with Kevin and I doing the same.  We rode in together, joined at the outskirts of Canal by Craig, Steve O and a couple others and finished with 48 miles and a 20.3 avg.  Meantime, the lead group finished with a 22.3 avg and 53 miles. 

Below, Craig's new bike and a near perfect complimentary kit to match.  It was his second ride on the new machine.  I heard a rumor that someone is bringing a scale to the Thursday ride to weigh the bike.  Wouldn't want someone to be taking advantage of us by breaking the minimum weight bike rule.

Here is tonight's route with links to the A, B and C route and cue sheets:
     A
– 52.5 miles, 1868’ climbing - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2577191
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B – 47.9 miles, 1337’ climbing - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2577244
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C – 38.9 miles, 1233’ climbing - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2577264

A few newsworthy items, Gary and Nick V will be at the ride tonight and if you would like to make a contribution to Nick's grand adventure to WI for the national junior race, you can do so directly.  Being an amateur racer traveling the globe is not cheap so help the kid out if you are inclined.  The annual Summer Solstice ride to the top of Cul du Revenge is June 18th.  I unfortunately will not be able to be there but Andrew C will be the ride leader for this fun trip to one of the area's most scenic mountains with fabulous views of the prison.  I'm working to get the prison warden to turn out the inmates so they can be standing at the fences, cheering/jeering you on.  Remember, no picture taking and no poking stuff through the fence for a relative. Official start time is 6:00pm but typically the C group departs at 5:30, Poobah leads the super seniors at 5:45, Flyin Tuna leads the "blue haired ladies" at 5:50, Canal Muscle Dude John leads the 200+ weight class at 5:55 but as I learn more I will post more.  Lastly, the 25th will be the second annual 60 mile route, which Amanda is leading, I unfortunately will not be there either.