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08-17-08, 04:22 PM
Our little group, the Ozark Roadies, rode a reasonably hilly route yesterday out of Lincoln, AR. It was a beautiful route, a new one for me. I had the camera with me, but we were moving on pretty well, so it remained in the frame bag.
We stopped at what I believe is the only store in Morrow, AR for a break. I knew this was a neat place. There was a dog resting in the middle of the road, un-fazed by the several cyclists rolling into his town. A family walked into the store, purchased their merchandise and walked back home. Two young girls rolled up at a very leisurely pace on a four-wheeler, bought a gallon of milk, and rolled back out at a leisurely pace. I told our group that I thought I had "arrived" and would be able to substantiate that if only my cell phone had no signal at that location. I checked it. Bingo! No signal! I love that place.
Anyway, it was a great 50-mile ride, but with a few good hills; therefore, I was looking forward to a few laid-back miles today. Just as I got on the road, a road tandem was rolling by. We exchanged pleasantries. I had seen them in the area several times and wanted to know about them. We more or less agreed to try the route I had mapped out for the day, which was a new route for both of us (actually all three of us). There is a fairly steep, short hill early in this route. I knew I was in trouble when, as we were ascending, both of them rose up out of the saddle simultaneously and eased right on up the hill while I did my imitation of a locomotive. I had to stand up and even then couldn't keep pace with them. My laid-back 25 miles turned out to be more strenuous than I thought, as I was trying to stay with Chuck and Janet on the tandem.
Strenuous as it was, it turned out well. Chuck and Janet are really nice people. Also, it was obvious that today's ride was nowhere near their first on the tandem. Watching them ride together was like watching a couple of expert ballroom dancers. Their cadence was never particularly fast, but they were very steady and powerful riders, and their operational communication was minimal but excellent.
I managed to stay with them until we got back to my place, although I think they took it easy on me.
I doff my helmet to you tandem riders!
We stopped at what I believe is the only store in Morrow, AR for a break. I knew this was a neat place. There was a dog resting in the middle of the road, un-fazed by the several cyclists rolling into his town. A family walked into the store, purchased their merchandise and walked back home. Two young girls rolled up at a very leisurely pace on a four-wheeler, bought a gallon of milk, and rolled back out at a leisurely pace. I told our group that I thought I had "arrived" and would be able to substantiate that if only my cell phone had no signal at that location. I checked it. Bingo! No signal! I love that place.
Anyway, it was a great 50-mile ride, but with a few good hills; therefore, I was looking forward to a few laid-back miles today. Just as I got on the road, a road tandem was rolling by. We exchanged pleasantries. I had seen them in the area several times and wanted to know about them. We more or less agreed to try the route I had mapped out for the day, which was a new route for both of us (actually all three of us). There is a fairly steep, short hill early in this route. I knew I was in trouble when, as we were ascending, both of them rose up out of the saddle simultaneously and eased right on up the hill while I did my imitation of a locomotive. I had to stand up and even then couldn't keep pace with them. My laid-back 25 miles turned out to be more strenuous than I thought, as I was trying to stay with Chuck and Janet on the tandem.
Strenuous as it was, it turned out well. Chuck and Janet are really nice people. Also, it was obvious that today's ride was nowhere near their first on the tandem. Watching them ride together was like watching a couple of expert ballroom dancers. Their cadence was never particularly fast, but they were very steady and powerful riders, and their operational communication was minimal but excellent.
I managed to stay with them until we got back to my place, although I think they took it easy on me.
I doff my helmet to you tandem riders!