It was about 10 degrees warmer this morning than it was yesterday morning. I didn't wear booties or the wind pants. We had some hills in the first 15 miles that would warm us up, and it was predicted to reach 60 degrees by mid afternoon.
There were a dozen of us as we started out, just as there were yesterday. Art said he didn't care if some folks wanted to push on ahead, but for us all to regroup on hill tops and turns. Some of us had the route, some didn't.
We had a dozen riders, the same as yesterday, and at nearly the same point our group splintered. Yesterday it was at the 11 mile mark, today it was just over 10 miles. 6 of our riders were off the front by about 75 yds as we reached a high point in the road where we were to take a right turn. We watched them crest the hill and take off at light speed down the other side. A few vocalizations were made, but they didn't hear us. We watched, with just a bit of a smile on our faces, as the rolled down the long grade and began climbing up the other side. That's what happens when you don't follow the leader, and didn't make the effort to get the cue sheet or download the course to a GPS. We pedaled onward. The others knew we were planning a stop at Dairy Queen in Newberg.
We arrived at DQ and placed our orders. I had a banana split.
All 6 of us were pretty much finished with our food and just sitting around waiting for the "lost riders" to arrive.
Finally the others arrived with stories of adventure, not of lions and tigers, but of hills and smart phone mapquest usage! We only had 17 miles done to this point so it was time to get going. We were a mixed group, some strong and fast riders, some challenged and slower riders. It was a no drop ride so now that our jack rabbits had learned their lessons about passing the leader, we pedaled along with a bit more cohesion.
We made a brief stop at the Lake Stop Store near Hagg Lake, then pressed onward. I got out a bit ahead of the rest. Here's what it looks like as the peloton is chasing one down. ;-)
We stopped again at the Forest Hills Golf Course. No time for a round of golf, but they do have an outdoor water fountain that is popular with cyclists. Eric also helped a fellow cyclist (not one of our group) who was there with a flat tire.
From there we made the final push back to Scholls Heights. One of our riders was having trouble controlling blood sugar and the pace became excruciatingly slow. We finally stopped when she began wobbling around as she pedaled. She had the ability to check her blood sugar and did so. To nobody's surprise, she was very low. She took some food and after a bit a few of us shepherded her in.
We finished up the ride, then 8 of us retired to a local establishment for pizza and beer. Much frivolity ensued.
In some cases, more frivolity than others.
Our friend Max is nursing an injured shoulder (from an encounter with a tree while mtn biking!) but did come to see us off this morning, and returned to join us for the after ride debriefing. My apologies to him for only getting his arm in the above photo!
The change of seasons and the promise of nicer riding weather got us all to talking about upcoming rides that will be put on calendars. It's going to be fun!
Today was a good start on that.
Today.............57...............0.............0..........0.............57 Jan..................93..............0..............0.........0..............93 Feb................411..............0..............0.........0............411 March.............492..............0.............0.........0............492 Total..............999.............0...............0.........0............999
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