FLCC> Sunday 7/27 Halsey Valley ride

[Fred Conner]

And one of us (me) started in Brooktondale around 8:45 am and 
followed the cue sheet once I was on White Church. At the end of 
Coddington, near Willeysville, I got a flat (third one in less than 
50 miles!). While preparing to change the tube the group from East 
Hill Plaza whizzed by. The pack leader waved, but at that moment it 
couldn't have been obvious to him that I was up to anything other 
than peeing behind a telephone pole and trying to be invisible.

Ten minutes or so later I was ready to ride again. About that time an 
FLCC good Samaritan in a green(?) car drove by, turned around, and 
offered me and my bike a ride to Spencer. It was a thoughtful and 
wonderful gesture, and I wish I knew her name so I could thank her 
again in person. I declined the lift, figuring I wasn't that far 
behind schedule. So I told her "no, thanks,"  and indicated to her 
not to wait for me in Spencer; that once I got to Halseyville Road 
(following the excellent cue sheet) I would head south and either (1) 
eventually catch up to the slowest riders or (b) be caught by the 
strongest riders.

To make a long story short, neither (1) nor (b) happened. I reached 
Halseyville Road around 10:15 am and turned left (thereby avoiding 
the sprinklers and bridge under construction). Now averaging maybe 15 
mph, I stopped at all the same antique, ice cream, and convenience 
stores, was passed by the same hoard of Harley Davidson cyclists on 
17c, made the turn in Waverly, and headed for Dean Creek Road and the 
"climb" to Spencer. I rode the entire circuit, but I never did see 
another FLCC rider.

In Spencer (after a 15 minute break in the store for fluids) I did, 
finally, see some riders loading bikes onto cars adjacent to the 
store. In retrospect, having read the ride reports, I'm guessing that 
was the first, fastest group. Brenda and the "moderate" riders may 
have been just minutes behind me at that point. I retraced the route 
to Brooktondale, choosing to stay on Coddington rather than use White 
Church. (After virtually no real downhills all day, I was looking 
forward to Middaugh's descent, which was disappointingly 
anticlimactic.)

All in all, a nice, scenic ride, although some company would have 
been welcome! 82 miles total, averaging just under 15 mph.

Fred