Sunday Canal WInchester 4/19/2009

As Sundays go in Canal Winchester, our rider turnout tends to be lower as the budget tours ramping up to TOSRV happen every Saturday. Only those seeking a recovery ride, those who missed the budget tours or the sado masochistic tend to show up to these spring rides.

No, I won’t regale you with the sharp sarcastic banter, that honor is reserved for Mark and Cindy. I will say though that in our own sedate right, the ride this past Sunday proved good if not spirited on the return leg.

As many have often commented before, meteorology remains one of those protected professions. The truly incompetent, or the truly unlucky go into this field of work since consistently poor results are tolerated or at least, resigned to there normal level of credibility. So when the forecast called for rain Sunday morning lasting through the middle of the next century, 6 intrepid souls dared to run the gauntlet of foreboding rain storms, oppressive winds and most certain death. (Well, ok, I exaggerate but at least there was a chance we would get wet)

We started out at a stately and slow pace. The beloved ride leader (at least loved for his draft) eased the group out of the parking lot for the first time in a few weeks. Our pace, one notch above C level was perfect for a dreary 8 am start. We all seemed to have trouble waking up. Our destination, Millersport, seemed to almost tempt nature to soak us. Some put the rain at an hour away, some 2. Either way, the 40 mile round trip was chancing it.

The group, made up of a long distance retread (yours truly), Donny (recovering from a century the day before, Beth (a Orthopedic Resident at OSU), Ross (from winter spin class), John (with a 1968 vintage Huffy road machine), Coach (prepping for a fleche next weekend) and Nathan (our recumbent hammer), rode strong. Our pace quickened at the Millersport turnaround after consulting the radar (what did we do before cell phones anyway?!).

The pace back was markedly faster with averaged climbing into the high teens/low 20’s. The moisture in the air was a constant reminder that time was of the essence. All said and done, we all arrived about 20 minutes before the sprinkles of showers began to fall.

For those interested, Sunday mornings at 8am, at Canal Winchester we ride between 40-60 miles with century options some weeks in the summer. Thanks for reading!

Roy “Bikerdude” Burnham

Kentucky 200k

Shelbyville at Dawn

What can you say to 70 degree temperatures and abundant sunshine after such
a hard winter here in the Midwest? The words hallelujah and incredible come
to mind as the Kentucky 200k started with temps in the mid 60’s. Indeed the
whole of the upper Midwest was getting a reprieve from what Punxsutawney Phil
said would be 6 more weeks of winter. I never cared for oversized rodents
nor their forecast anyway.

Steve Rice RBA checking in Amanda Or

It became clear on exiting the Days Inn at Shelbyville that the first half
would be a magic carpet ride. Strong sustained winds acted as “beer
muscles” at a bar as we all effortlessly spun toward the Northerly turn
around at Love’s truckstop in Sparta. The rolling terrain was not the
torturous routes of years past, a mere 6000 feet of climb was all that was
required. It was much appreciated this early in the season.

One of the rolling climbs in the first half

As many may recall, Kentucky suffered from a severe ice and snow storm in
late January. The effects of that storm where abundant along the course,
even over a month later. All along the route, trees stand broken or even
toppled completely over. Many roofs remain damaged and in some cases,
windows broken. Stately horse farms with tree lined long driveways where
littered with down branches. The enormity of the storms that hit this area
was obvious mile after mile.

A "Congested Area" in rural Kentucky

Despite the destruction from the storms, the roads where clear. The ever
present friendly demeanor of Kentucky residents was present at every control
we stopped at. Even on the roads, drivers where courteous and friendly.

The first control came at mile 32. Cowboys BP provided the finest in sports
drink, restrooms and seating accommodations, well, in reality, it beat
peeing in the woods, getting water from a garden hose and they signed our
cards. In all seriousness, the break was needed and the folks where
friendly. As noted in the ride report from the 2007 fleche, the search for
undiscovered Kentucky high prairie continues.

It became clear that by the turnaround, there would be no leg breaking
climbs on the route. It is a refreshing change from so many brevets in
which, for some sadio masochistic RBA’s , you where lulled into a false
sense of security to only be thrown a 19% climb 110 miles into the
ride. Indeed, most of the climbs where gradual doable.

Donna Bush at the lunch turnaround (note the anticipation of headwind in her face)

Unfortunately the magic carpet ride from earlier in the day translated into the hand of god pushing you back just as hard. Cresting some of the climbs you openly wondered if you had another gear. 68 miles worth of headwind was punctuated by momentary breaks provided by the Kentucky hills.

Jim and Donna wax poetic

Our intrepid duo was joined by Jim, a resident of a nearby county. We came across Jim about 40 miles out from the finished and teamed up most of the way back.
These early brevets provide a great way to build base and the weather was fantastic. Next up is the Ohio Series and Fleche in April. Keep the wheels turning!

Sunday March 1st Ride

The forecast is calling for unholy wind chills. Predicted temps of high teens and whinchills in the single digits again will drive us to spin inside. Bring your trainers and your bikes. Riding inside.

Tappahannock 200k

Ride Start 7 am and about 30

What is the idealist picture of the typical person’s Valentines Day? Perhaps a bouquet of flowers, some chocolates followed by a romantic dinner? A trip to the theater or the cinema to heart swells of romantic comedy? I bet the idea of riding a bicycle 129.5 miles in rural Virginia didn’t come to mind. But that is exactly what 20 some odd intrepid souls did this Valentine’s Day past as part of the DC Randonneurs Tappahannock 200k.

While lovebirds dined on finer cuisine our hardy group of folks experienced the best of costal Virginia’s 5 star gas stations and quickie marts. Expertly crafted ham sandwiches dated from the last democratic administration lay on the counter, shrink wrapped to within an inch of their lives. Thankfully, the turn around had a fantastic restaurant as a control, Java Jack’s. The service was quick and friendly and the food, well, what more could a spandex clad guy want on Valentine’s Day.

Java Jacks Inviting Sign

The day was as close to perfect as one could expect for mid February in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. Temperatures rose into the fifties and sunshine warmed us most of the day. Forecasts earlier in the week suggested rain and/or no sunshine at all. Indeed, for once it seems the weatherman’s goof was our gain. So often this winter it has broke the other way, at least in Ohio. For those of us from outside the region, the winter has been particularly hard. Snowpack on the roads and constant bitterly cold temps made for indoor training for most of the winter. Indeed, the weather was quite a treat, even if it was somewhat cold at the start.

Bikerdude Enjoying the Sun

Beginning temps did not deter this group. 30’s was the consensus as we started out from Ashland. Most where layered up in much the way of the Stay-puft marshmallow man. As we all warmed, we took advantage of the easy rolling terrain and good tailwind. We all began to talk. As it turned out, the makeup of the DC group was not unlike that of Ohio and Tennessee which is to say, diverse. University Professors ride alongside Army officers, IT professionals draft off of retiree’s. Such is the nature of Cycling, of challenge and fun.

Diversity could also be used to describe the bicycles at the event. I counted at least 2 tandems of Mary and Russ, Christa and Chuck while also seeing Lynn’s Bike Friday, Russ’s Rivendel and of course, my dual disc brake cyclcocross machine. It seems our rides are as varied as our careers and no doubt our personalities.

As the ride drew on, conversations centered on past rides, fleche’s and common acquaintances. Many from the DC ranks know Bob Waddell, our RBA in Ohio and extended their respective hello’s. Other talked of a brevet in December…..one of 11,000 or 9000 feet of climb over 200k depending on the rider you talk to. Thankfully Tappahannock was much more forgiving around 4-5000 feet of climb.

The ride was a wonderful mix of informational controls, dirt roads, out of the way convenience stores and rolling countryside. The coastal plain of Virginia only offered a couple of moderate climbs near the town of Tappahannock. The greater challenge came in the afternoon with the headwinds. This rider began to think twice about his pace for the first 70 miles.

As the later controls came, Mr Bonk paid me a visit as I dropped from the group made up of Maile, Chuck, Crista and Lynn. Mr. Bonk was not a welcomed visitor but one that was dispatched with sports drink and carbs. Still, the day ended well as George and I rolled back into the Ashland, thankful for the day on the bike.

Many thanks to the DC Randonneurs. They really make you feel welcome and part of the day. I’m looking forward to coming back later in the year to try some of the other rides on the calendar.

Sunday 22nd Ride

Looks like the Rain and flurries have made the roads a little too dangerous to ride outside. So we will spin again this morning. Bring your trainer!

Sunday 2/9

The weather gods are shining on us (sort of). With Temps above 40 and expected to the 50's today we ride outside for the first time in 2 months. Bring your winter riding gear, no spinning today!

Tennessee 200k

Route Profile (Forgot to turn the GPS off at the end of the ride)

In the late fall, many a cyclist around the country take stock of the numerous long range forecast to tell if, in fact winter riding will be possible. The Farmers Almanac predicted in 2008 that the 2008-2009 winter would be colder/snowier for the Northeast and great lakes region…….I hate it when they are right.

Riders at the Start in 22 degrees

Dire predictions aside, hope springs are eternal. Weekend after weekend in January, those of us in Central Ohio hoped for a break in the misery, a break that would never come. Although the long range forecasts indeed did come true for Ohio (Columbus had a recent 10 inch snowfall), our misfortune paled on comparison to that of our southerly neighbors in Kentucky. The events of the last week of January did not smile on the Midwest. While Columbus received it’s largest snowfall of the year, Kentucky received a record ice storm. In route to the Tennessee 200k, it felt like I was driving through a perpetual Ansel Adams Photograph, the snow frozen to the trees as far south as Bowling Green. The beauty of the landscape was interrupted rudely ever so often by downed trees, jack knifed trucks and upended abandoned cars. It was enough to make you wonder if the environs of Tennessee would indeed be more hospitable.

To say that Tennessee was hospitable would be an understatement. Not only where temperatures a full 20-30 degrees warmer then Columbus with no snow was present, the warmth of comradery was present with all who attended. Ride start temps where near the 22 degree mark, cold by most standards. Most of us chalked it up to “January” and “The first brevet”. The first major distance of any year seems that much colder, longer, hillier add your excuse here.

Dawn at Barfield Elementary

On departure from Barfield Elementary the morning chill was quickly remedied by spinning, thus warming your core. Many of us contemplated the layering decided on a few moments before departure as too much, too little or in rare cases, just right. Many of us have had this conversation on the first few miles of a cold start. As hard as it is to dress lightly in the parking lot, those who did quickly regained warmth without overheating, validating decisions while some warm at the start cursed and shed that unneeded layer. Such is the constant battle with the weather us Randonneurs have. As most of our breed attest, we are armchair meteorologist, mechanics and dietitians all at once.

The Tennessee 200k route was a wonderful mix of rolling hills, pleasant back roads and the occasional VERY steep climb. Indeed, 2 hills in particular where standouts. The aptly named “Big Hill” road represented roughly a 1000% grade while Pea Ridge was of adequate angle to launch the space shuttle. More than one Randonneur admitted to walking at least part of each of these climbs. No shame here, it’s January after all.

The Hill on Pea Ridge

After the most demanding of the climbs where behind you, you got the feeling that you where home free. True, a little less than half the ride still remained but the topological map seemed far more charitable. For this Randonneur, it had been at least 4 months since any real outdoor distance. I’d take any breaks I could get.

By the time the second control rolled around, I’d managed to hook up with a couple of Tennessee riders Alan and John from the Memphis area. As luck would have it we where pretty similar in our pacing, strength and inclination toward a more modest goal of finishing. None of us where hoping for a personal record. As it turned out, we had more in common than the sado-masochism know as Randonneuring.

In the impending conversations in the remaining 60 or so miles of the ride, we talked about the typical: introductions of name, weather, choice of clothes, the weather, where we where from, the weather, what we did for a living and , of course, the weather. In the process of conversation John identified himself as a Pediatric Endocrinologist for a Hospital back in Memphis. As a Randonneur with Type 1 Diabetes, we immediately hit it off talking about diet, recovery and the challenges facing the disease today. Allan and I also talked about family with Diabetes resulting in the miles flying by.

In our journey back we encounter no really steep climbs but did have the occasion to stop at a small, out of the way restaurant on the route called “The Tater Café”. Being completely out of water, I required a refill of both water bottles while Alan and John used the facilities. It’s one of the guilty pleasures though to walk into such an establishment on a cold winter day, dressed as we where, and see the reaction of the patrons. On entry to the café, a family of 6 stopped dead while eating, French fries halted in route to mouth, looking at the space aliens that have invaded. Not only do you get the “your not from around here” but you also have the value add of being mentally ill. As weird as we did look, folks where friendly and accommodating.

Good Samaritan John Helping the wayward trucker

The last few miles of the ride was marked by Johns unfailing sense of direction. Being Johnny on the spot with his map, John helped a wayward trucker get back to the highway. A good Samaritan that guy is. We all ended the ride together, cold but triumphant. The year is young, one 200k down.

Jan 11th Ride

Yesterdays storm then refreeze have left the roads hazardous for this morning. The rule for the day is saftey so we will be inside for a very light workout. Bikerdude is still getting over the flu so the key is light. We will do a little light spinning to music this morning.