July 12 Weekend Ride Reports

Saturday:

The weekend started off very early Saturday morning as Adam, Lance and I met at the shop at 4:45. We rode to Capitol Hill to join the start of the "Total 200," an annual double century from DC to the southern most point in MD and back. The course was fairly flat with some rollers, and much of it was on MD Route 4 which is a rather unscenic and heavily traveled highway. The morning started out sunny and fair and our pace was fast. The three of us left the rest of the ride group behind until just after the first rest stop when we were joined by about a dozen riders, creating a "lead group." From that point the pace never really slowed down, and the lead group soon dwindled to five, three Bike Rack and two non Bike Rack riders.

By the time we finally reached Point Lookout State Park, aptly named for its view of nothing but water, we realized that we had arrived just ahead of the van with the lunch. Fortunately they arrived about 10 minutes later. They catered us with sandwiches, cold drinks, chips, cookies and a lot of clif bars and hammer gels. Our time and average pace for the first 100 miles was 4:45 and 21.1 mph. After a quick lunch we decided to head back so Lance could make his hot date later that evening.

The return trip was made up of the same five, four road bikes and one guy on a tri-bike. To say this kid was powerful is an understatement. His name is Andy and he lives in DC. Watch for him on the shop rides and be very afraid :-) Needless to say we took great advantage and spent more time at the rest stops on the return trip. To say it was hot is another understatement. We were definitely feeling the heat, but we kept the pace moving. Fortunately we had very few problems on the way back as the group behind us was not so lucky with several flats and a crash. We had one flat, one case of cramps at mile 198 and a car that decided at the very last minute to swerve around us to exit Route 4, coming within inches of ending my life. Fortunately I never saw it coming and it was over in a flash. I was still upright and we were still moving.

We made it back to the starting point in DC at a few minutes after 6:00 pm, making for a 12 hour day. Our riding time and average speed for the second 100 miles was 4:45 and 21.1 mph, the exact same as the first 100. Of the lead group, The Bike Rack dominated and looked great. Congratulations Lance and Adam for an outstanding job, and thank you Andy where ever you are for pulling a large portion of the ride.

Next year the goal is to have a Bike Rack squad at the event creating a large pace line. Start your long distance training now ;-)

Sunday:

Another beautiful, sunny morning making for a great ride start. About 40 people joined us today for the standard shop ride. The pace line up MacArthur looked fantastic as I observed it from the back of the pack. I want to welcome those who joined us for the first time, we hope to see you often. The MacArthur hill was the MacArthur hill...ouch, dominated by the usual players, more ouch.

After the rest stop about 12 of us headed out to Seneca for a 60 mile ride and a couple riders expressing an interest in joing Tony A and me in a century. Two problems: One, we unknowingly left Tony A in the bathroom when we headed out from Starbucks, and two, when we reached the point where those who want to do 60 miles go one way and those who want to do 100 miles go another, I was left standing alone to do the 100. I caved to pressure and rode the 60 with the group. It was a brisk pace with Martin and Chas putting the hurt on, more ouch.

I hope to see you next Sunday for the ride, same time and place. Ride often, ride hard and have fun.

Chuck