Rides and Tours

Oh, the wind and rain

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Yesterday the VeloBoy needed a ride to Quaker Lake, where he was taking part in some training, so it wasn’t going to be possible to get to the Tour de Lions in time for the start. Plan B involved dropping him at QL, riding to the start in Gray’s Chapel, completing the 40 mile loop, and riding back — after eating brownies, of course. John offered to come along.

We were on our bikes by 9 AM, which meant starting the official course about an hour and a half behind everyone else. No big deal; we cruised along at a relatively steady pace for the first 18 miles, passed the already-closed rest stop, and waved off the sag driver who wondered if we had gotten lost. Around the 20 or 25 mile mark the long (75 mile) route joined, and we started to pass some of the mid-pack riders from that route. Occasionally one would jump on our wheel, hang on for a bit, then drop off.

It’s not like we were going particularly fast, but it was a windy day and the route features many hills. I could tell it was taking a toll.

Finally, we hit the home stretch — about four miles on Hwy 22 south — picked up another rider, and finished out the ride. We sat down, had a sandwich and brownie, and then headed back to Quaker Lake. The last eight miles were the only ones that didn’t feature steady headwinds. Total mileage: ~58.

I skipped riding today so the VeloBoy and I could go fishing. We hooked up with our guide, VB’s civics teacher, at a little after two and drove to a pond in Summerfield. We rigged our rods, surveyed the pond, and ran for cover as the skies opened up. So much for fishing.

Rain!

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Let me say this: I love riding in the rain. Particularly when I know other people are choosing not to go out.

I got in a little more than 21 miles tonight, in a steady shower. Would have been more but I had to stop to fix a flat. That, I don’t enjoy doing in the rain.
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What I missed at TOSRV

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I had to miss TOSRV, but friend Paul sent me a report:

“Saturday was perfect weather. It was in the 60s and low 70s with a tailwind all day. The only downside to the day was a rash of flats. As a group we had 4. Riding at 24-26 mph was effortless. I did lots of sections at 28+. Sunday was 50s and driving rain with a quartering tail/side wind. It went okay but was not particularly fun.”

Sadly, there was a fatality on the ride. On Hwy 23 an SUV driver hit a rider from behind, left the scene, and later returned. Keep the cyclist’s friends and family in your thoughts and prayers. And come to the Ride of Silence Wednesday, and add to the numbers of cyclists who will remember others who have been injured or killed while riding a bicycle.

Greensboro to Virginia and back

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Saturday’s ride got off to an earlier start than usual, about 9 AM. We rolled out from Christ Community Church on Air Harbor Rd; our plan was to ride to the Virginia state line and back. “Deadwood’s Two State Dead End Ride”, we called it.

The first half of the ride covers familiar roads; Lake Brandt, Witty, and Hwy 65. There is a fair amount of climbing, though it’s mostly gentle grades. Headwinds were the order of the day.

North of Bethany, we crossed the Dan River, passed the Shiloh Airport and started to wonder what we would find in VA.

Perhaps the governor, hanging out waiting for our arrival?

Rumor was Miss Virginia and Jerry Rice had been up all night, anticipating our arrival.

The border was our carrot, which made the increasing number and gradient of climbs a bit more bearable. After dropping down a 12% grade on Snead (and noting that we’d have to climb it on the way back) we started into a series of short grinders. Lots of dogs watched our slow progress, and a few stepped out into the street to greet us.

After hitting Garrett we started looking for the VA border. After a bit of hunting around we settled on a place: The end of Craig Rd. No governor or Miss Virginia; just a sign noting the end of state maintenance. Good enough.

The return was no easier. We split into three groups, and cruised back at a steady but hardly hammering pace. The wind seemed to have turned into our faces, too.

Start to finish, we ended up with 71.1 miles. Here’s the cue sheet:

L Air Harbor
R Lake Brandt
R Witty
R Hwy 65
L Crowder Rd
L Settle Bridge Rd
L Priddy Loop
R Hwy 770
L Snead Rd
L Price Rd
R Center Meeting House Rd
L Garrett Rd
R on Craig Rd
Turn around, R Garrett
L Price
R Snead
R Hwy 770
L Priddy Loop (continue 1/2 mile on 770 to store)
R Settle Bridge Rd
R Crowder
L Hwy 65
L Witty
L Lake Brandt Rd
L Air Harbor

Sheesh

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I paid for taking a week off. The “First Monday” ride wasn’t bad — 23 miles at a social, talkative pace. But last night’s Farmers Market throw down left me hurting. I knew it was going to be fast when I glanced at my computer on the first significant hill and saw 30 mph, but I didn’t expect it to be quite so fast as it was.

Scott and I finally sat up at around 20 miles and waited for stragglers. Until then we’d averaged 21 mph. Taking it easy the last ten miles only dropped our overall average to 20.1. IIRC, that’s what we’re usually doing another thousand miles into the season. The bad part, the hurting part, of the ride was the last stretch of Sandy Ridge Rd. My left calf had a serious cramp and after taking my turn at the front it was all I could do to sit in and soft pedal to the finish.

Jack’s Creek

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Our group’s usual follow up to the Burnsville Metric is the Jack’s Creek (PDF) loop. So we loaded up after breakfast this morning and headed over to the starting point, Blossman Gas on Hwy 19E. John L went fishing instead, so Susan, John P, Stuart, Jim and I rolled out at 9 AM.

Today’s forecast called for an 80% chance of rain, but there was nothing but sunshine when we started. We cruised over the first couple of climbs, descended into the valley, and spent the next hour-plus cruising along the Toe and Cane Rivers. For the most part the roads are relatively flat and smooth. Other than a stop to change a flat (mine) we settled into a steady rhythm.

The sky got progressively cloudier and about 10 miles out a few drops fell. Nearby, John was getting slammed by a storm, and the non-cycling spouses were hiding out at the NuWray Inn. But, a few drops were all we got. We kept rolling up out of the valley, and down 19E to the parking lot.

Burnsville Metric

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The Burnsville Metric is one of my favorite organized rides, so despite some ugly weather forecasts several of us headed over to Burnsville, NC Friday night to take part. Like last year some of stayed at the NuWray Inn, which is at the start and finish line.

The group watched the Friday night cruisers on the town square, settled in for sleep, then awoke to have a good, large breakfast. No shuttle to the start — we just rolled out the front door and waited for the crowd to roll.

The start was at 9 AM sharp. The route starts down a long, narrow road that connects with 19E. There are plenty of squirrelly riders so I played it conservative and waited until the highway before I started to move up through the crowds. After connecting with John P, John L, and Susan we joined up with a large pack and started rolling.

The first 20 miles passed at a 21.5 average and would have been faster if the group had been more coordinated. For some reason the pack slowed every time someone pulled off the front and next rider pulled through. The one time I came to the front I pulled through, held a steady 24 over some rollers and realized that I had opened a gap of about 100 feet. Not wanting to ride solo, I eased up and waited for the pack to close the gap.

The second 20 miles would have been about as fast if it hadn’t been for a mishap at the 32 mile mark. Our group made a sharp right, started to climb a short, steep hill, then I found myself on the ground. Up front, three geniuses decided to stop at the top of the hill, and rather than getting out of the way, they blocked the road. Several riders squeezed by, but others got on the brakes. John L hit Stuart’s wheel, and the gap I’d let open in front of me (figuring the pace would slow a bit on the rise) suddenly disappeared. I hit John’s downed bike, endo’d, and landed on John. The rider behind me followed suit and came to a rest partially on top of me.

No one was hurt beyond a few scrapes. My rear wheel was warped so I adjusted my brake to get some clearance, then rolled on, albeit at a slower pace. That was okay; we were about into the hills anyway. I settled in, rode a comfortable pace up the longer climbs, and finished at a 17+ average for the 59 miles.

Next, how we completely lucked out, missed a rainstorm, and enjoyed 37 fantastic miles.

Roaming Ride

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The Roaming Ride continues. Tonight we rode out of Oka T. Hester Park.

The route:

L Vandalia
R Wiley-Davis
X Groometown -> Grandover Pkwy
L Vickery Chapel
R Kivett
L Riverdale
R Hwy 62
L Coltrane Mill
L Burnetts Chapel
R Drake
R Kivett
L Harris > Drummond > S Holden
L Bishop
R Groometown
R Wiley Davis
L Vandalia
R OTHP

26.6 miles. Plenty of hills. Perfect weather. Great ride.

Weekend Recap

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Saturday: 16 of us got a 9 AM start and headed toward Gibsonville and Brown Summit. The wind and hills killed me. Killed me. We finished with 40 miles at a little more than a 16 mph average. Afterwards I jumped on the tandem with the Velowife and did the 14 mile Up2Speed ride. Besides nearly getting nailed by an idiot in a black pickup with handicap tags, it was a good ride.

Sunday: My back hurts. So I puttered, mowed the lawn, and generally avoided riding.

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