February 15, 2004

  • Sunday is here again!  To our surprises of a forecast of snow to
    the no snow and highs of 40.  Life is good once again.  I
    wonder if I can get a job where I don’t have to be right and still get
    paid and get on TV.   Anyway,   I arrive to find
    Paul and Kent and Bruce! Waiting in the lot.  Kent rolls up
    shortly.  It’s been a long time since Bruce has been with us and
    it’s good to see him out again.

    So we decide to do Masonville Glade road with options to do Centennial
    on the way back if we are feeling Strong.   Turns out Glenn
    hadn’t done anything in 3 weeks except for that ride from Lee’s
    Yesterday!.  Bruce had done like a 3hour MTB ride with is wife the
    day before and he hadn’t been riding regularly So the ride with option
    is a good choice.    There was some talk of how the
    Saturday ride leaving from Lees went the day before.   Glenn
    is pretty tired from that one but the call of the group was too strong
    to be ignored.  I guess riding can be kinda addicting.  

    We are on the road and taking it pretty easy, chatting and getting
    reacquainted.  Without Peter and Dave and Bionic Bob, we will just
    have to see how things play out in the hills.  We make down
    Horsetooth and to the dog park.  Turns out that Paul just closed
    on a house which is pretty close to our route so we make the detour to
    go check it out!  Nice Place,  Can’t wait for all of the
    Summer after ride parties that he needs to throw.

     While waiting I get a flat.   Turns out that it was a small shard of
    glass.  Took me a while to fix it since the tube I put in was
    bad.  We did get pretty cool but  it was warming up
    already.  I could tell that I was over dressed…. I need that
    weather man job.

    So we are off to the 1st hogback and Paul takes the lead.   I
    can see that Paul is feeling good but I start to go with him
    anyway.  Well. A few minutes later I decided that this was not a
    good idea.  My legs were already complaining and figured that
    there were plenty more hills to go.  Kent’s  legs were a bit
    tired and he was not up for the early challenge.  Paul summits a
    good bit in front of the rest of us and waits at Centennial
    Rd.   Me and Kent and Glenn and Bruce bring up the
    rear.  Where’s Peter when you need him.   All this
    new pecking order stuff could be avoided if he were here to sit on his
    thorne as “King of the Mountains”.    Yep with Dave and
    Peter absent the door is open for “King for a Day”.

    We make our way to the next hogback and once again Paul is the
    Man.  I thought about going with him and did for a bit but to put
    it like Roberto Duran in that fight against  Sugar Ray
    Lenord,  “No Mas”, and I am content for a 2nd placing.  
    We regroup get some food and quickly continue.

    Kent does his thing on the descent.  Man’s got  size 12’s
    cause this time of year there could be sand.  Paul follows 
    and I am next.    I pass Paul on that one.  By the
    time we are at the bottom of that last hogback we are pretty much
    together.   It’s go time and  Paul is going for the “Hat
    Trick”.   I figure that I should keep him honest and I stay
    on his wheel.  About half way up I try and go by him.  We
    were doing about  10mph which is a pretty good pace already. 
    Well  wouldn’t ya know Paul was saving a bit of something and try
    as I might I was not able to make the pass.   Once again my
    legs complain and I must obey them since if your gonna get spanked, why
    suffer any longer than need be.   By this time we have a good
    gap on Kent so I am content to take the distant 2nd.  

    We regroup at the Park and  If I remember correctly, someone has
    mentioned Paul’s name in the same sentence with
    Peter!    Turns out that  Paul is still commuting
    to work 10 miles each way! Even on those cold dayz. 
    Hopefully  Peter and Dave and Bob will read this, so if there was
    any chance that they would slack off on their training then this should
    serve as notice for them to keep it up!

    After a bit of Banter, we head torwards Masonville and take the 1st
    Left onto Glade.  This is a good place to do some paceline
    stuff.  I like that road since it’s silky smooth and it just feels
    fast.  We reach the end and make a head back.  As we pass the
    entrance to Eden’s valley I am wondering if that road is open
    yet.  By this time Bruce is a bit hurting from lack of miles and
    Glenn is feeling it too.  I must admit that I have felt better and
    my legs are also complaining.  Must be lack of riding since it’s
    been about 3 weeks since we have had a Breakfast Club Sunday Road Ride.

    When we get to Masonville, Glenn and Bruce decide to take it easy on
    the Hogbacks.  It’s good that they could ride together.  Paul
    had some time constraints so we are off and we bid Glenn and Bruce
    adieu.

    We head up the hogback and we are keeping a good pace I am leading and
    feeling OK.  Pedal, Pedal, Pedal as we make the grade.  Paul
    takes over and the pace quickens.  It’s Paul an Kent and I in that
    order as we near the summit.  I see Kent attacks with a nice
    sprint.  I kinda figured he might do that.  It’s either that
    or he was hanging on for dear life.  Turns out he as been doing
    some weight training and running to aid is fitness, “Take note boyz and
    girlz”.   Anyway I am unable to answer as he gets a good
    gap.  Paul accelerates to go after him and at this point, my will
    is snapped.  I will have to settle for 3rd on this one.  I
    see Paul catch and attack Kent, but Kent is too strong!

    As I reach the summit I can see Paul but not Kent.   There is
    some wind so the descent speeds aren’t great.     I
    am able to catch Paul and Kent still has gap.  Kent is onto the
    next hog back and we chase.  Paul is able to catch Kent, and then
    attacks!   He has a good gap on Kent and Kent has a good gap
    on me.

    Kent writes: You missed the little exchange Paul and I had at the top of the last
    hogback on the way back. He had opened a substantial gap on me, and near
    the top I thought now or never. I gave it everything. Paul saw me coming
    with his mirror but didn't think I would close the gap. Near the top I
    overtake him to earn the reply "You dirtbag, I thought I was safe" 


    We make the descent and we regroup on the last hog back.  Paul
    picks up the pace and then I attack.  I was all for naught and
    Kent and Paul are easily able to get my wheel.  I call down to the
    Engine room and Mr. Scott informs me that the di-lithium matrix is
    damaged and Warp 2 is about all we have, just enough to keep the wheels
    of Paul and Kent.  

    It’s time to decide whether to do Centennial or not.  Kent is
    thinking not, Paul doesn’t care.  I decide that we should do it,
    since it’s the last miles that make you strong and we might as well
    suffer.  It should be noted that the temps were up into the low
    50’s (“Where do I apply for that weather man job?)

    Kent takes the lead on the climb but is ignominiously run down and
    dropped.   Kent is a good bit ahead of me.  Paul summits
    and goes back for me. Guess this is what it feels like to be the
    whipping boy.

    We make the descent and life is good and my legs are tired.  We
    take Horesetooth back via Drake and Kent peals off for home at
    Timberline.  A good time was had by all. About 45 miles, and I
    didn’t check the avg.

    Oh, I would just like to do a shout out to all my loyal Fans   See ya on the road