[BHV] First Tongue Dragging Thursday Report

[Bob Nunnink]

Thursday night rides started last night with a nice dedicated group showing
some awesome early season form. The Group included, Darryl "on the road to
fitness" Henckle,  Paul "separated at birth from Bijorn Riis" Kingsbury,
Eric "Frozen Peas" Burns, Dave "when did he get afterburners" Prugh, Mark "
I don't need no fing Nickname" Sheehan, Jermey " Gonna be Daddy is the only
way you are gonna beat me up the hill" Wheeler, Cliff "check out my legs"
Thoma, Steve "I can beat your ass on MTB" Burlingame, Ryan "last out of the
parking lot first up the hill"  Morales and  myself Bobby " pass out any
more nicknames and somebody is gonna stick a pump in your spokes''
Nunnink " The group did the Dutch Hill route a 23 mile torture test of some
the best terrain Elmira has to offer. As Phil Liggett would say, "this
was 23 miles of pure purgatory"

We were led out of town by Darryl at a nice leisurely 15 mph pace.  "We
stopping for ice cream on this ride?"  As usual the pace accelerated once we
turned onto Pennsylvania Ave.  We quickly broke into two groups.  Paul,
Jeremy, Dave, Ryan, and myself pushed the pace to a very challenging 26mph.
"This is a pedigree group of men, they are holding on by the skin of their
shorts."  Catching our breath at Sagetown we sort of did our first regroup.
Thursday nights it is understood we will slow but not wait very long.  Paul
laid the blame firmly on my shoulders for not waiting for Darryl and
Steve. Nice transferal of your own guilt Paul. Ended up Darryl elected to
just do the flats and Steve tried valiantly to catch back on to the Cliff,
Eric, Mark group. Steve would turn around and retrace the route out back
into town.   Mark as usual did not slow and led his group up Stauss.  I've
used that very same tactic myself before.  It makes you stronger and the
waiting group can't see the tears of pain on your cheeks.

After a short wait. "Digging into our suitcase of courage" we proceeded to
chase Mark's group up hill.  I remember this climb from some of my early
rides with BHV.  Yes that was me puking in the ditch at the top.  Who was
first up the hill? Not sure, where exactly is the top of this pain.  I know
I took the county line sign.  That counts for something right?  A quick
regroup and Mark continues on.  " Watch out for the gravel on the descent"
of Dutch Hill.  Paul and I catch the leaders on Hendy.  34 mph in a two man
chase.  Is my speedo working?  Mark is still away.  The five horseman give
chase.  Almost catch Mark on the bridge before Water St.  Mark peels off
onto Church we continue on Water Street.  "And hats off to him as well"

OK the ride is over we will just spin easy back to the shop.  Yeah right!
The sign says Town of Elmira, I see Jeremy smile as he passes me at the
line.  We continue down Water St.   That next acceleration by Jeremy and
Ryan was meant to break us.  We all hang on.  Have to remember to draft
behind Dave more often.  Where's Paul did we loose him?  Another
acceleration where the hell is that town line sprint.  ahhh there it is
finally.  We go for it.  I wonder if this place where Reedo crashed last
year?  Not a good thought for sprinting.  Boy that city line sign is far
away.  Paul is in the gutter.  Where the hell did he come from?  "now this
move is gonna cause panic in the bunch" Lungs burning and I am cold all of a
sudden. My job was to be leadout man I peel off.  Yeah right!  At the line
it is Paul, Ryan, and then Dave.

Spaghetti and beer followed at Manzaris.  Can't wait to do again next
Thursday.  Come join us.
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