The Odds

I appreciated a blog post earlier this year by Coho bicycle builder, Charles Lathe concerning riding bicycles and desensitization. His brief story was to explain that he wasn't directly interested in riding in harsh weather other than the fact that it desensitized him to riding in more of the same. If you never ride in cold rain, you'll hate it big time when you do.

Last night on my way home from work I got a flat tire. The tire was a kevlar belted Ruffy Tuffy, a tire I've only flatted once in several thousand miles. I decided to just shoulder the bike and walk home. It wasn't until this morning that I inspected the tire and tube for the culprit. The rubber had de-laminated at the base of the valve stem. There was no apparent reason for why this had happened. There was no distress in that area.

This flat was my tenth in a little over a month. I don't know what the odds are for something like that, but they must be low. It seems like I'd sooner flip ten heads in a row with a penny than get ten flats in one month. I realize that getting or not getting flats on a bicycle tire is not as controlled an experiment as flipping coins, but I have to believe that the chances I'll get another flat in the next 24 hours are extremely low.

I hope.

Here's the tale of the tape:
October 14th on the Coho I get a flat in Mt. Washington in light rain. Fix on the road. I get home and as I'm lifting the bike up on to its hook I hear a hiss from the front tire- a puncture from a small piece of wire.
October 18th during a group ride also in the rain I flat the rear tire of the Kogswell. I find the sliver of glass and patch it. Less than 5 miles later another flat in the same tire-a sliver of glass in a different place.
October 26th pre-riding the On Again/Off Again century ride I flat the Coho's rear on Glatfelters rd.
November 6th I get an immediate hiss from the rear tire of the Coho after (foolishly) riding down the glass-strewn alley behind my house. In the morning the front is also flat. Both from glass.
November 8th during the On Again/Off Again group ride the Kogswell's rear tire's bead pops out of the rim, abruptly (and loudly) exploding the tube. A replacement holds fine for many more miles until while homeward bound, a flake of glass flats the same tire.
November 18th while rounding a corner the front tube on the Miyata fixed gear mysteriously delaminates.

The Kogswell's rear tube after blowout

I have spent a lot of time trying to find patterns and reasons for this unlikely string of flats. Riding in the rain is more likely to cause a flat tire. I should not ride in my back alley. Grand Bois tires, while they are fast and pliable, are much too soft for city commuting. However, none of this thinking is likely to change the likelihood of me getting another flat on my way home tonight. At least the ten I've already had have helped to desensitize me when it does happen.

The Final 14

Riders at the start of the BBC's On Again/Off Again

I left the dark parking lot of Oregon Ridge Park having said thank you and goodbye to Andy and Rita. We had just finished the On Again/Off Again century. The sun was down and we were feeling good, hungry and ready for rest. I had suggested dinner together and we considered it. They asked if I was riding the rest of the way home and I said, "no, I'm pretty beat, I'll use the light rail". We wound up not going to dinner. It would've been nice, but it just didn't seem like the right night. Another time maybe. And, then for some reason I turned right on Ivy Hill rd instead of going straight to the light rail station on Beaver Dam. 

I've mentioned here before that I find I get introspective towards the end of long rides. I can't tell you why, but the mind set is always a positive one. Usually I'm feeling appreciative of the physical world around me and if there are other riders in sight, I often admire their physical stamina and riding style. I think about the amazing magic of a modern bicycle- all those smartly placed levers, pulleys  and cables easing and exerting forces on one another and the energy in and out of that system. I see my body as an equally magical secondary system interacting with the first- pressing and yielding to produce nothing more than to get back to where I started.

Ivy Hill rd is an above average climb- sharp, but short. It was, however, enough of a effort to give me the feeling I was transitioning into something new. I had thought I was just "finishing the first ride" or just "heading home", but that hill, the dark sky and the fresh air in my chest all combined to give me the feeling of a new ride begun. And, so I stopped.

Under a rare street light, I prepared for my new ride. The shirt I'd worn for the last 118 miles came off and was replaced by the shirt I'd stripped off earlier in the day. The fleece vest went back on and I felt warmth on my chest. I fished my helmet headlamp out of the bag, attached it and clicked it on. The light beam seemed strong and I pointed it straight down Jerome Jay rd. Several points of light blinked, then moved off to the left quickly. Deer. Warmer gloves went on. I checked my water bottles- both of them nearly empty. Grabbing one, I tipped my head back to squeeze the last bit of strawberry-flavored drink into my mouth and I noticed the amazing texture of stars across the sky. New ride.

From Ivy Hill, Jerome Jay rd has a gentle slope down towards a bridge over a creek. At the bridge there is a short section- wooded on both sides, that gives the eastbound rider a brief feeling of seclusion. The westbound rider wouldn't even notice it because they are most likely screaming down the last of the Jerome Jay hill. This is the hill I begin to climb. I downshift conservatively, staying seated and press hard to see what my muscles would like to contribute to the climb tonight. They seem compliant and I begin a smooth passage forward and up. I swing around the the first of several unnatural bends in the road and I'm into the meat of the hill. For at least one full mile there are no flat spots. My heart rate is going up, but I'm relaxed and managing to enjoy the few remaining slices of woods left in the neighborhood.

I think of Steve Zeldin's short BBC ride several years ago when, as a novice group rider, I cramped both hamstrings trying to shove myself up Jerome Jay. At the time, I acted the martyr and told Steve to not wait on me. He didn't take my advice, instead rolling back down the hill to my position and giving me words of encouragement. I stretched my muscles for a minute, tenderly got back on the bike and began again. Up. I watched the little logos on the back of Steve's bike shoes go up and down, forward and backward ahead of me. His seeming lack of effort while riding up that hill didn't help me, but the bobbing logos distracted me long enough to get to the flatter sections further up.

At some point Jerome Jay rd. becomes Michaelsford rd. I've never known when it does, but the rise begins to ease. The climb doesn't actually crest for another half mile though. Even so, I can feel my HR recovering and I'm still feeling relaxed. I wonder what encouragement I might've given had I been riding with my earlier hamstring-cramped self. Would I have rolled back down the hill to help? Or, would I have seen in myself signs of perseverance and self-reliance and, figuring I'd find the energy to get home, just ridden on, slipping into the dark like a deer? I don't know.

The Jerome Jay hill is behind me as I roll toward Padonia rd, brighter lights and the sounds of heavy traffic. This was by no means the steepest or longest hill I climbed today. Today's century ride was a hilly one- 8,000-9,000ft of ascent. Somehow though, my ride up Jerome Jay, alone, in the dark and after a satisfying 100+ miles was the most meaningful. It was filled with appreciation.

Padonia, leads me to my very last turn- a left onto Falls rd, the road I live on. However, there are still several more miles left to this second ride of the day. The long fast descent past St. Paul's School, the bridge over the traffic choked Baltimore beltway, Joe's bike shop and Mt. Washington, through the Falls/Northern Pkwy intersection (one of the deadliest in the city), past the beautiful homes of Roland Park, the road surface gets ever worse and the houses closer together. I roll into Baltimore city and Hampden. There's a sub shop on the corner where I order my dinner. The line cook gets the order wrong, but the woman at the counter scolds him and makes him remake it for me. I appreciate that.




Pictures from the BBC ride On Again/Off Again:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27976837@N00/sets/72157622812206970/

the "S" word

Snow?! Yikes. 


To be an effective ride leader you need to want your ride to happen more than anyone else does. So, even though it's unlikely to find anyone wanting to ride a hundred miles in 35 degree temps, 25 mph winds and rain with the possibility of snow, there still could be one or two who might want to show up at the start to see what the day brings.


Thus, I set out at 7AM last sunday to the start of the Point to Point ride to see what the day would bring. I figured I might spend some time shivering at the front gate of Fort McHenry, and then after no one showed up, I'd have a brisk ride back to bed. However, the first person to end that silly notion was Isaias swinging around the corner of Lombard and Light sts. With his L&M 600 front light ablaze, he pulled up next to me. "Chuck and Crista called- they're on their way" Nice. Then, as the two of us head down Fort ave we see more crazies- Mike and Ben, both regular DC Randonneur riders. Hopefully the weather won't be quite as bad as they say because this is definitely a ride.

Isaias, Michael, Ben, Chuck and Crista

Fort McHenry (Locust Point) is disappointing as a vista due to the construction going on to stabilize the berm around it, so we all leave directly from the gate. North and west into the wind and the wet.


The beginning of this ride is rough. Both because there are many quick turns through Baltimore and because the road surfaces go from intentionally rugged (cobblestones) to unintentionally ragged (cracks and potholes). I am worried that our visitors from DC Rand won't appreciate the worth of going through this urban slalom or that the numerous out-and-back sections will get tedious. We curve around Baltimore harbor and out to the end of Broadway pier in Fell's Point, continue along the water passing Lazaretto Point in Canton where we can clearly spy Fort McHenry across the water. 


Continuing on, we roll through Dundalk, a very handsome blue collar town, down Peninsula hwy towards Sparrows Point. I love rides where while riding in a flat valley section you can see the mountains looming up ahead, dwarfing the landscape around them. Riding down Peninsula hwy. you can appreciate the visual parallel as the mountainous Bethlehem Steel facilities tower above the landscape. Bethlehem Steel encompasses an area almost as large as Baltimore City. At mid-century it was the largest steel mill in the world, serviced by three railroads and employing tens of thousands. The plant rises high above the Patapsco and is surrounded by a matrix of steam pipes, power lines and railroad cars. Riverside dr. and Tinmill rd takes us through the train yards bisecting the property and inbetween the lower warehouses and the behemoth steel processing plant. Riding through this area on a bicycle is still very exciting to me. 

  

Sparrows Point

Next we head over to North Point and Fort Howard. I like the view from the water's edge at the old VA hospital. The US Gov't is very unclear about the visiting privileges for this property. We arrived during open hours, but the gate was closed. Everyone felt comfortable about going in so we rolled through the stone gate to the somewhat cloud obscured views across the water. Bethlehem Steel, the Key Bridge and Fort Smallwood park are all visable. On clear days you can see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Kent Island from this point. On the opposite side of this same peninsula we take our first of three views of Hart Miller Island from Cuckold Point. 


We'd been feeling wind from the side mostly up to this part, but now we headed NNW facing the headwinds. The rain was beginning to fade to almost nothing and the streets started showing dry spots. Hmm... where's that snow now? At a coffee stop I notice my tire has a slow leak. I find the glassy culprit and replace the tube and the group heads up to Eastern ave again and over the Back river bridge. Before I can get to the next point (Cox), the tire is going flat again. Argh. I tell the group to meet me up ahead and fix flat #2 finding another sliver of glass. 

Rocky Point

From Cox point we roll down to the incredible 270 degree views from the tip of Rocky point and then over to our lunch stop- the Island View Cafe. As we step up onto the porch, fellow BBC rider Bud Lippert pokes his head out the window of the restaurant and mentions something about good timing. Unbeknownst to us, he had adjusted his ride's route to attempt an intersection with our ride. His ride was the only other BBC ride hopeful enough about the weather not to cancel. Way to go Bud!



Filled up on Oyster stew and MD Crab soup, we headed back to Eastern ave, the backbone of the route. Mike decided to take the metric century option so we waved goodbye to him as he peeled off to the southwest. We had four more points to see. 

Wilson Point

Nestled in a small community next to Martin State airport is Wilson Point with a very nice newly-constructed boardwalk and rec area along the lower branch of Middle river. Up to Eastern ave again, past the famous Bengies Drive-In (I didn't get to a single show there this year), down Bowley's Quarters rd. to Briar Point and Miami Beach Park. No bathing beauties to be seen at this time of year, but the stop offers a good opportunity to shed some riding clothes. The day is getting warmer!


Next up is Marshy Point with an intriguing looking nature center that I'd like to go back to check out as well as a great view from the end of the pier. We rode our bikes out on it and I have to admit I gave my brakes a quick test before getting near the end. Chuck looked down to the thick mat of weeds in the water and remarked that if you did go off the edge you surely wouldn't sink too deep. True, but you'd be in need of a very long hot shower. 


We reach our final vista of the day near Chase, MD in the Gunpowder State Park. A view of Dundee Creek from the fishing area in the park. I could not find the name of that point though. Dundee Point? 


The roll back towards Baltimore is made not so bad by a slight tail wind. And, the late afternoon sky is showing a bit of sun tearing through the clouds as we wind our way back. I often get a little introspective nearing the end of long rides and this was no exception. I watched Isaias and Ben up ahead of me acting like teenagers- sprinting one ahead of the other. In my rearview mirror I could see Chuck and Crista's tandem, the mother-ship, cruising smooth and steady behind me. Baltimore is noisy and harsh, but it still gives a warm  and honest welcome to bike riders coming back into town. To continue the good vibe we all decide to meet up at John Stevens in Fell's Point for some tasty beer and grub. 
"S---" yeah!

More pics here: point to point ride

"Rando" Bob goes legit

9 hours 13 minutes

A rare Saturday off of work gave me the opportunity to ride my first official brevet- The Civil War Tour, a 200k hosted by the DC Randonneurs. My usual long distance riding buddy gave me a raft of minor reasons why he couldn't make it. I don't know him all that well, but I do know him to ignore all manner of practical responsibilities, sleep requirements, aches, pains and social obligations in order to dash off to ride his bike. Clearly there was some other reason for his not wanting to ride this one. I suspect I know what it is.

Brevet means 'certificate' and refers to the card carried by randonneurs which gets stamped at controls; it is also used to refer to the event itself, ie: a certificated ride. (wikipedia)

I arrive a bit after 6AM. I register, paying my $10. I fill out my name and address on the brevet card and step to the left to allow the next registeree to squeeze in. The Regional Brevet Administrator (RBA) reminds me that I need to sign the card. Oops. I sign the card and step to the side again.  “Bob!” I step over to the table again. “You need to take your card with you.” Oh yeah, I guess I will need that.

7AM in the Pizza Hut parking lot

Obviously I am a bit sleepy, but I’m also a beginner and I’m beginning to realize that today’s ride will be more than just riding my bicycle out in the country with all those assembled in this parking lot. There are rules to follow. Paperwork. And if I don’t do it correctly, I don’t get credit.

7AM and we’re off- 38 riders and 38 brevet cards into a beautiful morning. It’s kinda chilly and I’m glad I brought my wind-blocking vest. I was thinking that I’d be putting it back into my bar bag after an hour, but I never did take it off. The air stayed brisk for most of the day.  I get up to cruising speed on the Coho, but immediately have to slow down for something going on further up in the group. Riders are pulling off to the side of the road at a small civil war memorial. This is just one memorial in an area of hundreds, maybe thousands. I’m thinking “sheesh, this is going to be a long day if all of us are stopping to read each memorial” Then I notice that everyone is getting out their brevet cards. I glance at the cue sheet. This is an "informational control”. We must answer the question related to this memorial and write it down on the brevet card as proof that we’ve passed this point. This seems dumb I think at first- a control that is a 1/4 mile from the start. I write the answer down and ride off. Then I realize that if the first control had been 10 miles down the road when riders are separated by longer distances, I probably would not have even noticed the control and blown right past it. I wouldn’t have gotten the answer to the question and I wouldn’t have gotten credit for the brevet- even though I might have actually ridden it. Then another mile down the road it starts to occur to me what a great idea that was to put the first control within a 1/4 mile of the start. It’s an early reminder that we’re not just on a bike ride. We’re riding a brevet. I also realize that the organizer must have a good sense of humor. Nice.

Now we’re moving. The sun is up. The group is breaking into packets of 3-5 riders. There’s a little drafting and chatting and the bike geeks are eying up each others machines. The landscape is punctuated with silver historical signage and sharp-edged marble markers to the dead. Lots of golden yellow. The Catoctins are ahead. At a red traffic light many riders begin taking off their windbreakers. Uh oh. They know something's coming up. Up indeed. Up and over two steep summits. Soon I'm in my 34/28, breathing heavily, but climbing quickly. Luckily, it's only two climbs of less than a mile each. At the top I remind myself to go easy thereafter to save some energy in the tank. We're only at the 30 mile mark.

I suppose I qualify as a bike geek and the wide variety of frames, gearing and components is an exciting part of the landscape for me. Bikes are often like pets and are of similar attitudes as their owners. Randonneurs, however,  can keep you guessing and I like that. I met some go-fast people on slo-mo bikes and vice versa. Good stuff.

 

Entering Antietam

We wind our way into Antietam. I'd never been there before. Scrubby fields and more angular markers. Lots of history. Lots of death. The day and the ride are so beautiful and I'm smiling and because of this I'm wondering whether that's disrespectful to the soldiers. By the way, who's that guy up in the road ahead with the pen in one hand and a camera in the other? Oh, it's the RBA and he's set up a "secret" control. One that's not listed on the cue sheet, but is just thrown in there for fun. It's paperwork for sure, but it's kinda like the paperwork in a scavenger hunt. Just for fun.

From here the route takes us northeast through Boonsboro with South Mountain to our near right and Hagerstown to our more distant left. A right turn onto Raven Rock begins the 4 1/2 mile climb up towards Gettysburg. I first rode this hill last year during a club ride version of Baltimore Bicycling Club's Civil War Century. It felt grueling then and was mostly likely the culprit of my bonk later that day. Today, my legs decided to make it a fairly easy climb for me. Thanks. Perhaps it was that tasty pasta with mussels I ate for birthday dinner the night before.

 

The Summit of Raven Rock

At this point in the ride I am beginning to see the same 5-8 faces again and again as we are all riding similar speeds, but occasionally leap-frogging one another during climbs. I actually get in some nice conversations with some very interesting riders. It is a strange feeling to pass a rider on a climb while you're feeling strong, then later you discover that this person has completed handfuls of 1200k rides and super randonneur series.Whoa. Sure, you might be going faster than they are right now, but for how long? I think to myself that if I was on a 400k ride today I'd be toasted at the 250k mark and that that rider I passed a mile back would be cruising past me with the same easy expression on their face that they had 100 miles ago.

My stomach is telling me that it's about lunch time. We're getting into the big daddy of Civil War battlefields, Gettysburg. The traffic gets heavier and in the park I'm having to keep an eye out for pedestrians whose entire field of vision is their point and shoot cameras. Car traffic is often moving so slowly that I am having to carefully pass. In the town of Gettysburg the lunch control is the ye olde 7-11 convenience store. I grab some grub, stretch out, and set my butt down on the curb. I try to be quick about my stop, but I notice several riders pull in to the parking lot after me, buy food, and roll out while I watch them come and go. These are the hi-tech methods of the real long distance riders. Quick stops. Eat on the bike if you can. These riders are relaxed and deliberate about their schedule. To a non-randonneur it would seem hectic, but to a racer it would be outrageously leisurely. This is the power of the brevet card and the time limit. Oh yeah, the brevet card. I forgot to get mine signed. A quick initial from the kind 7-11 employee and we're off for the last 45 miles.

A piece of the vast Gettysburg Battlefield Park

The last "little bit" of this ride was a mixture of self congratulation along with hints from my legs that they might be done for the day. We had two more informational controls in quick succession in Gettysburg and I began to appreciate how thoughtfully the controls were timed. Instead of the controls making the ride seem like a long goal-oriented video game, they were spaced close enough together so you could easily concentrate on the "paperwork". This alternated with sections of many miles without controls so you could enjoy the carefree side of riding the bike.

Some nice socializing while riding with a small group got us to the very final hills. I got some distinct protest from my legs on these last few climbs. It could have been real or maybe the legs just knew we were real close to the Pizza Hut finish. One more informational control just before the end and just like that I'm done. And hey, someone bought pizza and drinks for me. Thanks RBA!

As I reread my ride report here I am mostly seeing descriptions of a ride my friend would have loved to ride. However, he didn't. And for valid reasons too. I can understand why a rider like my friend wouldn't want to come on an official brevet. It taints the purity of the thing. It's not just getting on a bike and riding.  The "official" part of it gives it this artificial context. It's for credit. It's more than just a bike ride, or, depending on what you like in a bike ride, maybe less of one. But for now, I'm good with the paperwork. I'll choose to see the larger context- that it's all just for fun.

 More pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27976837@N00/archives/date-posted/2009/09/21/detail/

Thousand Mile Month

Super Commute #3: "Passing Prettyboy"

At first, it was just wanting to squeeze in a few extra miles because July had included lots of driving for me. I started adding additional miles to the commute by developing longer, more scenic routes. Then there were a couple of Baltimore Bicycling Club rides that I needed to check out before leading them so there were three 75+ rides for the month. I like tracking the weather too. And the bike used column shows my habit of staying with a certain bike for a few days, then something- like weather or needing to carry a package, changes my bike. Then I get into that bike for the next few days. 

Kinda fun too, thinking that I could've ridden from Ocean City, MD to St. Louis, MO last month. August Total Mileage: 1,031

Miles   Ride                     Date        Temp.    Weather  Bike Used

17  AM Bike commute     08/04/09     70-90     Cloudy     Coho  

17  PM Bike commute     08/04/09     70-90     Cloudy      Coho  

17  AM Bike commute     08/05/09     70-90     Cloudy     Coho  

40  Deerparks/Dogwoods 08/05/09  70-90    Cloudy       Coho

17  AM Bike commute     08/06/09     50-70    Light rain  Kogswell

17   PM Bike commute     08/06/09     70-90    Cloudy      Kogswell  

24   AM Bike commute     08/07/09     70-90     Clear        Coho  

17   PM Bike commute     08/07/09     70-90     Cloudy      Coho  

41   Loch Raven/Mantua(AM) 08/08/09 70-90 Cloudy      Coho  

42   Passing Prettyboy (PM) 08/08/09  70-90  Cloudy     Coho  

  9  to/fr. Little Havana    08/09/09       90        Clear       Coho      

  5  AM Metro commute    08/11/09      90       Clear    Miyata FG/SS

19  PM Bike commute     08/11/09     70-90     Cloudy  Miyata FG/SS

19   AM Bike commute     08/12/09     70-90     Cloudy Miyata FG/SS

39  Ellicott/Aviation Loop(PM) 08/12/09 70-90 Cloudy Miyata FG/SS

17  AM Bike commute     08/13/09     70-90    Cloudy     Kogswell  

17  PM Bike commute     08/13/09     70-90     Clear       Kogswell    

17  AM Bike commute     08/15/09     70-90     Clear        Coho      

  5  PM Metro commute   08/15/09     70-90      Clear        Coho      

102  Pre-ride 4 Reservoirs Tour 08/17/09 90      Cloudy      Coho  

17    AM Bike commute     08/19/09     90        Cloudy      Kogswell

17    PM Bike commute     08/19/09     90       Cloudy       Kogswell  

17    AM Bike commute    08/20/09      90       Cloudy       Kogswell

  5    PM Metro commute   08/20/09     90        Cloudy     Kogswell

17    AM Bike commute     08/21/09     70-90     Cloudy    Kogswell

17    PM Bike commute     08/21/09      90       Cloudy       Kogswell

17    AM Bike commute     08/22/09     70-90     Cloudy     Kogswell  

17     PM Bike commute     08/22/09     70-90     Rain       Kogswell

103  4 Reservoirs Tour     08/23/09     70-90     Clear       Coho  

17    AM Bike commute     08/25/09     70-90     Clear       Coho  

17    PM Bike commute     08/25/09     70-90     Clear       Coho  

17    AM Bike commute     08/26/09     70-90     Clear       Coho  

40    PM Super Commute     08/26/09     70-90     Clear     Coho  

17    AM Bike commute     08/27/09     70-90     Clear       Kogswell  

19    PM Bike commute     08/27/09     70-90     Clear       Kogswell  

17    AM Bike commute     08/28/09     70-90  Light rain    Kogswell  

17    PM Bike commute     08/28/09     70-90  Light rain    Kogswell

17    AM Bike commute     08/29/09     70-90     Cloudy    Kogswell

22    PM Bike commute     08/29/09     70-90     Cloudy     Kogswell  

29    PM Super Commute     08/29/09     70-90   Light rain Kogswell  

79   Pre-ride BBC Rocks ride  08/31/09   70-90     Clear       Coho  

The 4 Reservoirs Tour

We had lovely weather on sunday for a rolling tour of the Reservoirs. A healthy (for my rides) group of 5 at the start. We paused at the bottom of Dogwood hill looking for Carl at about 8:55-9:00 Alas, he was not to be found. That hill was likely the hardest grade of the day. Good to be done with it while the legs were fresh. We went from 5 riders to 4 when Barry's spokes took a bite at his rear derailleur (or was it the other way 'round?) He told the rest of us to roll on without him.

Then a few miles later we were 5 again when we intersected with Tom who was looking for us. Good stuff.
We got into an easy "long ride" cruising speed, clearing Lake Liberty and stopping briefly in Finksburg for sugars and ice. Up to and over Prettyboy ducking into (mostly) and out of the cool canopy of the trees. Isaias got a bit ahead of the group as we neared Wally's for lunch and missed one of the last cues. When Tim and I showed up at Wally's there was no pink BBC jersey to be found. Isaias texted me that he realized he missed the cue and wasn't planning on turning back- he'd finish the ride by himself. During lunch I was excited to meet the legendary Greg Conderacci (who rolled in while we were eating) and was amazed that my reputation had proceeded myself- he had been wanting to meet me!

Also, while we were eating, we met Daniel, a Cat 1 racer who was getting his legs back for regular racing. He had had a flat that morning and couldn't make the ride start so he rode up to Wally's to find us. So, then we were 5 again.


Down to Prettyboy dam and back up. A long slog for the entirety of Corbett over to Jarrettsville.
... and who's that crazy man in a pink jersey waving at us from across the interesection? Ha! Isaias and with him- Barry !! Barry had fixed his RD and then bent the space time continuum getting to Jarrettsville before us, meeting Isaias and waiting for us. Now we were 7


The final leg brought us over Loch Raven and back into the Towson 'burbs. I stopped with Isaias and Tim one more time and that's when Janet made her move. (I knew she would) She and Tom blew past us foregoing the ice water to be the 1st to finish. Tim and I hauled ourselves up Ruxton, Falls and Lake ave hils, finally cruising back to the start. Good times. Good ride.

Thanks all. -Bob