August 23, 2009

• Rist Canyon

  Gale hosted a ride even though she was volunteering.   A bunch of folks showed up on time and a few others caught us on the road.  Those I can remember include,  Dave N, Dave M, Ron, Ross, Rudy, Barb, Belinda, Chris, Todd, Sledge, Peter, (Tri Guy name). Kevin, Ryan, Bruce, (Guy with Beard).  I am sure there were some more... 

  The ride started out pretty mellow with Dave  N  leading up to the 1st Hogback.  This civility was soon broken by Rudy threw the 1st log on the fire.   Others follows, but I choose not to even attempt to play since this was only the warmup.   There is a race next weekend on this course and I know that Peter and Rudy and Bruce are planning to do it so it makes sense for them to test the waters in the group.

  Everyone makes this climb and it's onto Centennial.   I am not concerned about getting dropped so I do what I need to maintain contact with the last few riders since I know they will regroup at the park rest area if history is to be repeated.   Yes, and we all head to Bellevue to get more water before the big climb.  I have noticed that Gale's ride has become kinder and gentler with respect to regrouping, or maybe the Big Men have figured out it's more fun to drop folks more than once. .

  We get our water in Bellevue and it's on to the Big Climb.  No way am I going to contest this one, so I just settle into a rhythm.  l  don't want to take it too easy and since I have no training plan I push the muscles a bit harder than I would normally do.   I am standing a lot with the grade changes, and this seems much easier and I think this is due to riding the SS.

  The BigMen have checked out and it's just as well I don't see the speed differential.   Wonder if any of them had a Power meter as it would be interesting to see what that profile looked like.    I any case I am feeling OK, but my legs have had that "dead" feeling, probably cause I am not riding  enough lately.   At least they are doing  my asking so it's all good.

  Near the top or Rist I see some folks I know.  Stephen and his fiance Julie and they are looking pretty strong.  I chill out with them for several minutes until the grade changes to the point where my gearing wants me to go a bit faster.  Yeah, the legs  are pretty tired now and I had been riding as if the top of the climb was the end of the ride.  I should note that I ditched the camebak for 3 water bottles and stuffed my pockets full of stuff.    I like the way the feels but I miss the ability to drink with both hands on the bars. Wish I had more food too.  I only had a few power gels and I was wanting for something more substantial ...

  A bunch of folks are waiting at the top of the climb and we wait until everyone is up.  We descend to Stove Prairie where some folks get water at that school house.  Kevin, Rudy and Dave M  didn't want to cool down too much so they took off before everyone had gotten water.

  Finally it's rock and roll time and we enjoy the descent into Masonville.  There is some sparing between the BigMen but I am able to stay in contact.   My legs were OK, but I knew I couldn't push too much as I could feel the beginnings of some cramping in my right leg so I tried to keep my efforts in check. 

  Everyone was working quite well together as we went into Masonvile. (Soapbox time)  The only hiccup I saw was the rider in front of me flicked his left arm to indicate that he was pulling off, but I took this to mean that he wanted me to come through on that side.  I hesitated for a second and pulled through on the right cause that's the direction we has been doing.    We chatted about this later and I guess this is how some folks signal.   I don't like the idea of folks using different signaling cause it will cause problems.   I almost crashed a couple of years ago on a ride with the guy in front of me did this and he moved over into me as I was passing on the side where he flicked his elbow and he moved over in that direction!   We hadn't started rotating yet, so I read this my way.. In chatting with some of the riders today,  they said I was maybe over thinking this.....  Anyway I just let it go and figured I would mention it here so that folks are aware of these kind of issues.....  Imagine I have a car and I am going to make a turn, well,  I have 2 turn signals, I;ll just pick one!   Racers (Car Motorcycle, Kart etc.) all have hand signals that have a well defined meaning, I am just saying, that without this, we have a recipe for disaster.  (Here's a Link to the Breakfast clubs Paceline Rules also Breakfast Club Etiquette)... Ok nuff on that.

  Now we are in Masonville and folks are going their separate ways.   Most are low on water and since Kevin lives < mile away he was kind enough to offer water to those in need.    Ron, Bruce, Dave and I decided to take the hogbacks home.   I was pretty spent so I was way back when I finished that climb.

  The last hog back was finally on the horizon, and to my surprise, Chris and Peter came flying by us.  I decided to try and play with these guys, but I was no match for them on that one.  I think I was close enough to maybe have caught them on the descent, but I sat up and waited for my group.

  The last hogback was fun with Bruce way up the road "Taking it Easy".  Ron pulled Dave and I as we enjoyed the shelter.   Ron peels off for home as does Bruce.  Dave and I head over to the Peleton to check out the last day of the Sale and to get some food.

  A good time was had by all.   Everyone has gotten so fast so I need to do more riding or something to be able to be closer to the front.    Wish I had remembered to take more pictures

  • 5:46 pm
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