Two Wheel Blogs

The ride was supposed to start at 9, but the pounding rain postponed it to 11:30. Conditions were overcast, cool, wet (but not raining), windy and humid.

Barry, who set the ride up originally had a time crunch and announced pre-ride that he would be bailing at the 3 hour mark. Too bad for him because things started to get good shortly after he turned to make it home (about 2 hours in).

The group. Only four of us started; Barry, Mikey (one of Boz's team mates), Roger and me. Only two of us finished; Barry had to cut it short, and Mikey was cashed after about 50 miles (plus we rode right past his house).

The route. Similar to the ride we did last Saturday, but we added on the highpoint loop for some extra distance. I ended up with about 80 miles if I include the ride to and from the meeting place (and why would I not include it?)

I got pissed off at my computer last week due to data drops, so I took it off. I had no idea what the distance or pace was at any point during the ride. I went to MapMyRide.com post ride and figured out the length and average pace based on when I left my house and returned. Frankly, I think this is far superior to the POS computer that I used to have on my bike that served to do little more than aggravate me. I am an idiot though, and you can bet that some stupid gadget will catch my eye around Christmas time, and I will once again have a computer on my bike.

As for the ride. We headed southwest initially in efforts to ride out of the potential rain fall. This worked almost flawlessly, except we were riding directly into the wind the whole time. While I cannot be sure of the pace during this stretch, I can attest that it was MUCH slower than the pace during the last two hours of the ride. A negative split is sweet on a long ride. If you look at the map, you can pretty much guess where we turned out of the wind (right as we approached Enon).

I have talked in the past about the potential sprint situation as you roll into Enon. Today was one of those days. When we hit the base of the hill I was in my 11 and was spinning it the whole way to town. Fast and fun!

The ride was a great time. I wished at times that we could have gone longer, but as we rolled back into Jeff City I realized that we did this one right. We could hear thunder crashing around us as we climbed Wardsville Road. By the time we made it to High Street the enormous raindrops were slapping the pavement around us. Not long after that the smacking sound of the drops hitting asphalt changed to a snapping sound (dime sized hail was bouncing around us).

It was a short rain/hail storm, but the message was clear. We packed a great ride in between the storms, but just barely...time to get home.

Now that I am home and I reviewed the ride distance/pace/climbing/etc. I am enjoying it even more. I bet I sleep well tonight!