FLCC> Tuesday Ringwood ride

[Donal Fitterer]

Daniel's and my group grew to include several new guys. We were without
Christine as Felix went for the KOM points last evening. Daniel was
absent due to a bit too much maple syrup consumption during his earth
day celebrations.

 

WOB gave us a brief update about Hollenbecks and then handed the broom
over to Jack who announced that the sweep will be this Friday meeting at
5:45pm at the Hollenbeck Cider parking lot in Virgil. Jack also said
that instead of spending Swan Cycles bucks for pizza that we would
instead be feasting at Antlers after the sweep. Thanks Glenn!

 

My group took off second out of the lot and headed to Ringwood. I gave
the signal to start our double pace line when we hit Stevenson. It was
here that I realized that many of our new folk had no clue as to what we
were doing and unfortunately most of them were guys which means it takes
two to three times longer to teach them what to do as it does the women
I've been working with the last 3 weeks. 

 

As we climbed Ringwood our group naturally split up based on people's
watts/kg ratio.  I asked folks to wait at the top so we could reform and
work together. Charles H did a great job pulling one young woman back to
the fold. Several stronger groups surged by and I was introduced to
Garrett, Beth's lesser half. Beth informed me that Garrett had plans to
decimate the B's and then move up into the A's where his goal is to make
the winner of the Wang award whine with disappointment. 

 

At the top of the hill a group of stronger riders took off just as we
were turning left. Vanya demonstrated his good upbringing by waiting for
us to filter through. The considerationally challenged group barged
ahead but we had no collisions. They were led by their feckless leader
who shall remain nameless. I won't wait around for a dinner invitation
to his house on the lake anytime soon. Also, he is a bit hard of hearing
so you have to yell "Car back!!" really loud to get him to move over and
form a single line. Hopefully his young apprentices avoid these bad
habits.

 

We took off and started to pace line after the entire group cleared the
intersection. It was a ragged pace line compared to what I've been used
to on previous Tuesdays, partly due to the new guys and to the fact I
wanted them to ride close to normal race speeds. One big guy in
particular (Joe I think? Sorry I can't remember your name) kept slowing
down too much whenever he was in the left line. By the 4th time I told
him to go faster he got it. 

 

I went to the front at the first turn and did my best to demonstrate how
to take the turn. I wish Daniel had been sober enough to be there and
critique me. We regrouped at the top of the little rise and went again.
Don S was a steady influence and we acquired another strong woman named
Valerie. She and Ruth were a powerful team as they beat the guys up Hurd
Rd. 

 

All in all we had a safe ride and Beth proved her mettle by setting a
blistering pace back to meeting place when we were on top of Snyder
Hill.  

 

Rumor control has it that Wayne rode at the front of his group way too
often and that a new charity organization was formed, aptly named
"Cycling shorts for Wayne". Contributions are tax deductable. Look for
the logo of a full moon over a bicycle seat.  I think Sara Barker helped
design the logo years ago.  Peter B was said to be getting his climbing
legs back after his return from the land down under, and Mike P got a
little carried away when shaving his legs and didn't stop until there
wasn't any hair left! Mike, next time leave the eyebrows, ok?

 

I sure enjoyed getting to know all the folks in my group. Good luck next
week when we start real racing.  Aileen, give the C's your best shot. I
think both you and Beth will have a good time. Valerie & Ruth, I'm
thinking B's. Dominic, hope you keep racing. See you in the B's.

 

Cheers,

 

Don

 

Training & Operations Manager

Vector Magnetics LLC

236 Cherry St

Ithaca, NY 14850 USA

Direct 607-216-1136

Fax 607-273-6137

Ofc 607-273-8351

Cell 607-227-0761

 

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