Great reports! Sadly I didn't take any pics of my own...I didn't feel like rummaging through my wife's warehouse sized purse looking for the camera. Good to see my Far Eastern heritage rubbing off on Psimet and Cylowe :rolleyes: I only rode the first loop, I had an appointment to keep at Chuck E Cheese's. Here's my synopsis of Loop 1.

First, the mandatory BFNIC disclaimer...I'm (one or more of the following) fat/tired/cold/sick/or haven't ridden in 2 weeks.

It was a little chilly so I donned all of my warmers and $5 (shipped!) ebay wind vest. We started with a brief warmup (100ft driveway to the road) when someone up front decided that this was a mass start 39 mile road race. I was (choose one from disclaimer list), and was just out for a scenic cruise through new lands. I was planning on a hammerfest the next day so I kind of wanted to take it easy and just hung in the back for most of the ride.

Kenal0 got a flat, which Cylowe kindly repaired for him. By the time Kenal0's wheel was back on, we knew there was no chance of catching the lead group so we opted for a shortcut, which led us to a section of Rt20 that none of us wanted to ride on. We backtracked and actually ended up in front of the leaders. We were stopped because Cylowe was making a call to find out where the pack was, all of a sudden we saw the group cresting a hill behind us.

I jumped in a paceline of 5 or 6 that just flew by. We were cruising along at 18-20 into headwinds/crosswinds. To be honest, I wanted to just bail, but I figured I had to pull at least once since I've been wheelsucking through a few pulls. Of course when my turn to pull comes, we're going uphill into the wind. That pretty much killed off any reserves I was running on. I hung on through another pull or two and I was slowly starting to drop. I signaled/told Dave342 (I think) to go ahead in front of me. I pulled off and two of them darted right by.

I slowed way down and was looking for everyone behind me, but there was nary a soul in sight. I could see the guys in front of me getting smaller and smaller in the distance until *poof* they were gone, and I was lost. I guess we all missed a turn and I ended up on Rt20. I don't really do maps..I rely on Landmarks and my uber manly sense of direction. I headed towards the Hampire water tower and starting climbing this really steep mountain road chanting "I think I can, I think I can". Ok, so it really wasn't a mountain. I looked behind me and see Shider, Dave342, and recursive coming up on me like missles. Damn near scared the h3ll out of me. I just followed them back to the parking lot.

It was a quick, fun ride. It was nice meeting some more screen names in person, and seeing the ones I already know again. Thanks to Psimet for organizing this event. Extra special thanks to Mrs. Psimet for the cookies, and putting up with her husband :D I'm looking forward to more of these area invitational rides as well.

all this talk of 25 mph. how about some stats get posted. maybe a garmin link. just think of all the potential BFNIC noobs out there you are scarring off............or not. :)

later.


*edit* here's my edge data, fwiw:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=4073729

..

Ok, here is JT1's perspective.

First mistake. Believe what I read on the forums.

Lots of different people coming. There is more than one "girl" that could possibly be there. I'll never have a final count because there are always people that lurk on here and then show up the day of without any notcie (perfectly allright).

As for the speed...read the description of the ride on the thread. It is designed so that riders of all sorts of skill levels can participate. Contrary to popular internet bravado we do NOT ride at 22mph (for long ), but really average about 15-20 for most rides depending on the conditions.

Besides it is no-drop and ther will be sweeps for each loop.

Second mistake. Use that information to encourage Mrs. JT1 to ride.

The look I received from Mrs. JT1 at 7:30 am (she was surrounded by a bunch of guys in spandex who looked fast standing still) was colder than the brisk chill in the air! She decided to skip the first loop and wander the wonderful town of Huntley instead and check back for the next loop.

Third mistake. Feeling sorry for Psimet2001 after the first climb, and stay far enough back from the lead group to keep him in sight. Riding with the group at 25 mph was much easier than facing that wind alone.

Fourth mistake. Changing my seat, and drastically changing my riding position the day before the ride. I'm not sure if it was the new riding position or the fact that this was my fourth century in the last six weeks, but my body felt like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.

Fifth mistake. Making eye contact with Mrs. JT1 while eating one of those fantastic cookies Psimet2001's wife so graciously baked. Mrs. JT1 was in the middle of a detox diet, and cookies were a no no for her. Even though the outside temperature was much warmer, the chill in the air returned. Once she heard that shider's wife was going to join for the last lap, she almost smiled.

First smart decision. Send Mrs. JT1 shopping while I ride the second loop.

Second smart decision. Fuel up with a protein drink and those wonderful peanut butter triscuits, as opposed to cheese whiz.

Sixth mistake. Not having my ipod on when I stopped to see how Mrs. JT1 was doing on the third loop.
I don't know what was worse her crying, puking of yelling. I reassured her she was not going to die, and I would safely escort her back to the car at her pace. I'm not sure if it was too much shopping, too much Starbucks, her detox diet, or simply because I ate a cookie and she didn't, but she was not having fun. It was now 80 degrees outside but you would not know it because that chill in the air that I began to know so well returned. Those 8 miles back to the car were the longest miles I ever rode in my life.

About Mrs. JT1. New to road cycling, but has been trail riding for a couple years, and can climb a hill faster than most of my riding friends. A few weeks ago at the Harmon Hundred she completed 50 miles with a 16.1 mph average, riding solo. So I thought she was quite capable of riding at least one loop. I later learned she was trying to keep keep up with lead group, and was pulling the whole time for the last group. She did not know to pull off, and let someone else take the lead.

Other than my chilling ride back to the car, the ride was a lot of fun. I enjoyed meeting some new riders, and riding with some that I met before.I am quite competitive so I am inspired to put recursive in his place next year. One of the reasons he was so fast was the fact that he was the only one other than myself to eat those delicious peanut butter triscuits.

Thanks to Pismet2001 for all the effort in putting this ride together.

Anyone interested in The Hilly Hundred? I want to go, but I think I will leave Mrs.JT1 at home. :)

Ok, here is JT1's perspective.

First mistake. Believe what I read on the forums.

Hey now...we did end up finishing between 15-20 as an average for the ride, and I was fading back to sweep to find out where you two went! ;)

That set up my time in the hurt box for the last loop riding into the wind alone. :(

:D

I figure she wanted out. We'll have to set up something that is specifically a little more her speed.

You can always help her get over it by buying yourself and her nice new matching Great Lakes jerseys....

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=348938
;)

Yeah, that third loop was a killer for the first half. The wind was, well, pretty windy.

Hey now...we did end up finishing between 15-20 as an average for the ride, and I was fading back to sweep to find out where you two went! ;)

I felt bad that you fell behind waiting for us. I actually rode ahead a bit (while she was puking) to tell you to go ahead.

I am quite competitive so I am inspired to put recursive in his place next year.

Ok, that's it. Now it's on! :D

I'm bringing the fast bike next year.

Ok, that's it. Now it's on! :D

I'm bringing the fast bike next year.

you'll need it and a wingman. :p.

later.

JT, please give you wife a giant high five for riding till she blew ... that's outstanding! What a woman! I'm serious ... most would start to sweat and so "ohhh I'm kind of tired". She dug in and did her damned best. Way to go!

JT, please give you wife a giant high five for riding till she blew ... that's outstanding! What a woman! I'm serious ... most would start to sweat and so "ohhh I'm kind of tired". She dug in and did her damned best. Way to go!


WAY TO GO Mrs. JT1 - I applaud you for your effort. Huge High five.
I am sorry I missed the ride. I already marked the calendar for next year. Basically that means.......Dear don't plan anything on the weekends in September 2008. I'm riding!!!!

Ok, this is pretty much totally useless, but here are my 16 minutes of recorded gps data.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/4227751

I captured my big effort to catch up after dropping the water bottle.