January 11, 2004

  • The 1st Breakfast Club ride of the year was well attended.  Glenn
    H.  Peter, Dave, Bob, Kent, Paul and of course me.  We arrive
    a different times and the talk is pretty light.  Everyone is happy
    to be out on the fine Spring Day. After a bit of discussion we
    decide to do Masonville and Glade road with the option to do Carter
    Lake if we are feeling like it.  We had been talking for a while
    so it’s off we go.  Oh yeah, this ones rated PG.  I also need
    a rating for FCCC content. In this c ase it’s a NFCCC entry (No mention
    of the FCCC or it’s members, racers or anything like that. so you
    sensors from the FCCC can stop reading this now if that's your puprose)
      Seems that there was some discussion  about whether a link to this blog was appropriate to be on the FCCC site but I digress...


    Paul and Kent are in the lead and walking away from Dave and I who are
    pared second.  We are content to let them go since they are more
    warmed up than us since both of them rode over from there homes. 
    Our pace is easy and we finally catch up to Kent and Paul at red light
    on Harmony.   Glenn notices that my rear tire is going flat.
    Arggggggh, and it’s cold out there, my hands are gonna love this. 
    While in the Blockbuster parking lot, Geoff, who was on his way to work
    drops over to greet us.  He mentions that he as been training
    etc..   Turns out that my valve stem was loose and it just
    needed tightening  (Thanks once again to Glenn’s keen observation).

    We are off again and in a nice team formation.   We hit the
    1st hogback and it’s “Peter” time.  We watch as he walks away from
    us.  Paul is next in line and the rest of us follow.  It
    should be noted here that Bob is climbing really well and summits
    before me, followed last by a slightly overtrained “Kent”.  Turns
    out that Kent has been riding his trainer everyday!!  My guess is
    that this is some kinda New Years resolution.  I hope he breaks
    this one soon.

    After a quick regrouping we are off again.  Nice steady paceline
    and life is good.  Dave leads the assault up the next hogback and
    Peter lets us know that we can regroup at Horsetooth.   Peter
    takes off and I go after him and hang with him for about 60
    yards.  I decided better of this and wait for the group.  We
    are pretty much together here with the exception of Kent who is in the
    back.  Bob is once again riding strong on this one too. 
    “Could this be an omen of things to come?”  Paul is the 1st of us
    motal’s to summit followed by the rest of us.

    The descent is sweet down as we head towards the next hogback. 
    Paul is leading and Kent is still climbing.  As we reach the last
    hogback, Glenn asserts himself followed by Bob right on his
    wheel.   Dave and Paul and Kent are bringing up the rear and
    taking note of the New Bob.  Glenn is riding impressively
    considering he has not been on the bike in two weeks. This is even more
    noteworthy since many of us are riding our trainers.   What’s
    gonna happen in the Spring when Glenn is done playing in the snow and
    the weather is sweet   Hmmmmm, Don’t want to think about in right now. 

    We regroup and refuel etc. at the Park.  Kent strikes up a
    conversation with the attractive ranger, checking out the price of
    tickets etc.   After adjusting clothing since it really
    getting warm now and all of us are over dressed.  Not much I can
    do  but I should be OK for a while.  I need to order more
    powerbars since I just ate my last one and I know I will need more fuel
    before the day is out.  I have a powergel left but I rather have
    something to chew.   After a bit more chat about resting
    heart rates (Mine and Kent’s are the highests in the 70’s)  while
    everyone else’s is in the low 50’s.   This doesn’t bode well
    for me in being able to  hold my own.  .  
    Well, enough talk and it’s down to Masonville.

    We pull out of Horsetooth Park and Kent, grabs my front brake! 
    It’s all in good fun.  I haven’t had that done to me since I left
    NJ,  Maybe not the safest thing to do to someone with out skills,
    but  for me it was all good. …

    We make the Nice Descent as always into Masonville.   When we
    get to Masonville we notice that Paul is missing so Peter and I go back
    for him.  Turns out that he needed to put something on his
    ears.  We regroup at the corner store and take off down towards
    34.  Life is good and we enjoying the warmer temps.  

    I am leading and having aa good time when Peter says to me “Looks like
    you are getting a flat”.  I look down and Peter takes off, and
    with that says “Just kidding.   Well I missed getting on
    his wheel and he gets a good gap and summits a minor grade in front of
    me.   Must be pick on Steve Day.  We regroup and continue.

    We are all together as we reach 34.  There was some confusion
    since we were considering doing glade road.  At 34 we have a
    little chat about what to do.  Glenn needs to get back by 12:00
    (It’s 10:15 now).  We think about doing the glade or maybe
    centennial or Carter.  By overwhelming vote we decide to do
    Carter.  

    We take off and are still traveling well together.  The pacelines
    are getting better and better each week.   Not to say that
    there aren’t some problems but we are getting better.  No need to
    point out any errors today.  Most are minor, and it’s just more
    practice and trust that we need, but all in all, the group works very
    well together.   Now we just need to find a Team Time Trial
    to go do.

    We make it to the base of the Carter Hill and it’s “Peter Time” 
    By now the distance has taken it’s toll.   Peter of course
    summits 1st followed by Kent ,Glenn and Dave.  I am a good distance back
    and can feel the effect of some of the weight training of the previous
    week.   I mange to catch Bob on the climb and summit just a
    little bit in front of him.  Did I mention how well Bob is doing
    now!  All of the boyz have taken note of this and I am sure that
    the training in the coming months will be stepped up.  Alex, 
    Eushin,  Juan take note here! That the spring time rides will
    begin with everyone in good shape!   Paul is bringing up the
    rear due to the cold that kept him from riding in a while.  He is
    looking to get rollers soon, so look out!   

    We regroup at the summit and continue.    With Peter out
    of earshot, Kent cooks up this idea to make Peter work for it. 
    The plan is for Kent to get a gap on the next descent and for the rest
    of us to join in.  Don’t know if everyone heard the plan though.
     

    The descent is upon and Kent takes off.  Man he’s got some balls
    going into that hairpin without knowing how much sand had be
    deposited.  He get a good gap!  I pull up behind Kent
    followed by Bob.   Dave soon joins us!  I don’t know if
    Bob heard me say to get off the front, but a few seconds later Dave
    goes around and I follow with Kent behind me.  Bob’s effort up
    front was too much to allow him to jump on and it’s three of us. 
    I look back and Peter is charging but he is a good bit back.  We
    come to a mind grade with Dave pulling and I loose contact with Dave
    and Kent.  I  pacing them a few yards back.  Peter and
    Bob have hooked up but I think it’s too little to
    late.  Glenn has choseen not to jump on Peter's wheel since
    :Bubba" in his pickup truck was makint his presence known via his
    horn!..  I  make a quick sprint and rejoin Kent and
    Dave.  We sit up and Peter is not going to catch us.   A
    small victory,  well done gentlemen.  

    We regroup and take in some fuel and take off.  Nice smooth pace
    line into a bit of a head wind.  Paul is beginning to suffer on
    some of the grades and the group slow up a bit.  Hopefully Paul
    will remember this kindness and when he is back a full strength is kind
    to us, well most of us, he can attack Peter all he wants.

    We are heading up Taft(?) and Dave has the lead. We are doing about 16
    or so and I decide to go to the front.  Dave doesn’t follow and I
    get a good gap.   Guess the boyz are tired.  Turns out
    that Dave wanted to keep a civil pace to give everyone a chance to
    recover.  A good Idea,  IMHO we could have gone a bit faster
    since sitting in for me was “pedal pedal coast, coast….”,  but
    it’s all good.

    We finally make it to Trilby with me leading.  Coming up the that
    1st little hill and Peter attacks.   I jump on his
    wheel.  I make my move and life is good.  I get a gap and I
    hear the cry’s of Defeat from Peter. I have taken the
    Hill!  Yes,  I proclaim that he is mortal!  A small
    victory and maybe a harbinger of things to come.

    Kent and Paul  Bail for Kents house.  Kent offered Paul some
    food etc and a chance to recover.   Kent sent me this email  "Paul stopped
    at my house and fueled up on fresh fruit and some juice.  After some
    chow and a break he decided he was ok and rode home on his own
    steam!!    ".  ;Bob departs us on
    Lemay.   Dave, Glenn, Peter and I are heading towards
    Timberline on Trilby and Peter attacks again, saying something about
    Pay backs.  Well, I hadn’t totally powered down the Warp Nacelles
    and I engage!  Once again,  Peter is dispatched!
      and another small victory is mine.  This victory
    assures me that he is mortal and with that proclamation and am sure
    many attacks will come and there will be a new King! So let it
    be written, so let it be done!

    We have a nice cool down.  Glenn and I take exit stage right and
    Peter heads for home.  A good time was had by all.  About 55
    miles at 16.3 mph average.