Great Lakes - 2008 Psimet Invitational Ride Reports. Click here.

The first two loops were really fast.

The third one is still going on.

Timmy showed up. Vegas books have gone broke from the action.

Pictures later.

Jot down your thoughts.

Great turnout. Best yet I think. It was spicey. I have to get out of town. More later.

Dammit. I thought i could be the first to post, just so i could be first in something, but no...not even that.

All joking aside, that was fun...i'm tired though.

It was my first group ride riding a road bike(had more experience with BMX and mtb. in my teenager days...sigh, hehe), and it was great to ride through those hilly and much bike friendlier areas than the ones i live by (woodfield mall, bleh).

Aside that, it was an awesome time, i really appreciate Psimet2001 and all others for making this happen.

I know i could have have done better at some speeds and climbs but noob factor kicked in, hehe, but i caught up and kept up when i could. Too bad i had to leave to help sister's basement post flooding fix.

Anyway, 29.86 miles, 21 avg speed, sometimes at 19 and great to see and meet you all. btw, i was wearing the Spain jersey, hehe.

Looking forward to this again!

Thanks.

Psi ... GREAT JOB! Had a blast with some really cool people. Perfect day (3 flats aside).

Here's the hard data. Leg 1:

Data Value Unit
Duration 1:46:21
Sampling Rate 1 s
Cycling Efficiency 24.8 %

Energy Expenditure 1401 kcal
Number of Heart Beats 15742 beats
Recovery -74 beats
Minimum Heart Rate 72 bpm
Average Heart Rate 148 bpm
Maximum Heart Rate 185 bpm
Standard Deviation 16.0 bpm

Minimum Speed 1.7 mph
Average Speed 21.6 mph
Maximum Speed 37.0 mph
Distance 38.3 miles
Odometer 1616 miles

Minimum Cadence 30 rpm
Average Cadence 90 rpm
Maximum Cadence 112 rpm
Coasting Time 0:15:38 (14.7 %)
Coasting Distance 4.9 miles (12.8 %)

Minimum Altitude 581 ft
Average Altitude 673 ft
Maximum Altitude 810 ft
Ascent 801 ft
Descent 696 ft
VAM 452 ft/h

Minimum Power 1 Watts
Average Power 273 Watts
Average Power (0 W incl.) 229 Watts
Maximum Power 1168 Watts
Pedaling Index Average 24 %
Pedaling Index Maximum 72 %
Left Right Balance Average L52 - 48R Left - Right
Left Right Balance Maximum L88 - 12R Left - Right



Leg 2:

Data Value Unit
Duration 1:23:53
Sampling Rate 1 s
Cycling Efficiency 22.2 %

Energy Expenditure 1048 kcal
Number of Heart Beats 12081 beats
Recovery -32 beats
Minimum Heart Rate 102 bpm
Average Heart Rate 144 bpm
Maximum Heart Rate 167 bpm
Standard Deviation 13.1 bpm

Minimum Speed 1.3 mph
Average Speed 21.0 mph
Maximum Speed 29.3 mph
Distance 29.3 miles
Odometer 1645 miles

Minimum Cadence 29 rpm
Average Cadence 87 rpm
Maximum Cadence 141 rpm
Coasting Time 0:15:20 (18.3 %)
Coasting Distance 4.6 miles (15.6 %)

Minimum Altitude 614 ft
Average Altitude 679 ft
Maximum Altitude 827 ft
Ascent 479 ft
Descent 312 ft
VAM 343 ft/h

Minimum Power 1 Watts
Average Power 246 Watts
Average Power (0 W incl.) 196 Watts
Maximum Power 728 Watts
Pedaling Index Average 23 %
Pedaling Index Maximum 78 %
Left Right Balance Average L52 - 48R Left - Right
Left Right Balance Maximum L91 - 9R Left - Right



Leg 3

Data Value Unit
Duration 1:38:48
Sampling Rate 1 s
Cycling Efficiency 20.4 %

Energy Expenditure 1214 kcal
Number of Heart Beats 14130 beats
Recovery -22 beats
Minimum Heart Rate 78 bpm
Average Heart Rate 143 bpm
Maximum Heart Rate 171 bpm
Standard Deviation 15.0 bpm

Minimum Speed 1.6 mph
Average Speed 19.7 mph
Maximum Speed 30.8 mph
Distance 32.4 miles
Odometer 1678 miles

Minimum Cadence 30 rpm
Average Cadence 88 rpm
Maximum Cadence 119 rpm
Coasting Time 0:19:43 (20.0 %)
Coasting Distance 5.4 miles (16.6 %)

Minimum Altitude 676 ft
Average Altitude 741 ft
Maximum Altitude 866 ft
Ascent 659 ft
Descent 443 ft
VAM 400 ft/h

Minimum Power 2 Watts
Average Power 228 Watts
Average Power (0 W incl.) 174 Watts
Maximum Power 769 Watts
Pedaling Index Average 22 %
Pedaling Index Maximum 96 %
Left Right Balance Average L52 - 48R Left - Right
Left Right Balance Maximum L86 - 14R Left - Right



Yes, I was as tired as the data indicated. Thanks for pulling me to the finish Shider. ;) I suck at sprinting. :( This is the most miles I have ever put in in a week. Boy am I tired.

I logged exactly 100 miles ... stinking engineer Psi. ;) Total time 4:49 Not too shaby.

More stories and pictures later.

Gather 'round the campfire, boys and girls. Uncle Matt is going to tell the tale of the 100th annual PSImet Invitational (leg one). It may not be the right version, but it's his version.

The day started early. I pull up to the forest preserve around 7:15. Gate locked. I knew it might be, but I had to get there early anyway. I'm a freak like that. So is Colorchange... he pulled up behind me. As Colorchange and I are in the middle of exchanging "hello's", along comes Mr. Forest Preserve. I can only guess what he was thinking, seeing two guys in spandex waiting to get into the deserted forest preserve at an odd hour. Let me tell you if you're reading this, though, Mr. Forestpreserveman, it wasn't that kind of party!

Anyhow, as I'm getting ready, all sorts of people I've never met start coming over and start introducing themselves. Maybe it's because I look friendly. It's probably more so because I was standing on the route to the bathroom. I couldn't believe how nice they were to a guy, considering I just got out of prison. Eventually Cain showed up. He didn't have to introduce himself for me to think he was solid. He was wearing a Sox hat. Instant friend where I grew up (of course, where I grew up, almost everybody wore Sox hats).

Some people believe in "leave no trace" camping, where they attempt to leave no evidence of ever having been in a place. I believe in "leave no trace" living. If nobody can prove I was ever there, they can't prove I did it! As such, when everybody gathered around for a picture, I tried to pretend I didn't know what was going on. My modus operandi when somebody normally points a camera at me usually involves a scowl, my middle finger, or a combination of both. Again, I didn't think it would be that kind of party. After some prodding from Den Mother PSImet, I reluctantly lined up in the back line for such evidence gathering. The back line consisted of the following: me. I was all by myself. It was awesome.

The ride starts innocent enough... for about 30 seconds. Shortly thereafter it broke up into a couple of groups. Things were going great. Everybody was chatting. The speed picked up. Everybody was chatting some more. I used my expert bikerman skills to tuck in as last wheel on the left side of what appeared to be two abreast riding (leave no trace people... they can't see you in the rear). People chat some more. People go faster. People chat some more. Only, this time, they're chatting loud. In fact, they're not chatting. They're yelling. And, they're yelling loud.

When I crushed a pothole at 25mph I figured out that the loud yelling was "hole". You'd think these fine people would give a little more notice to a convicted felon, no? No. My expert ears (I do have 20/20 hearing) immediately pick up on two distinct sounds: Atleast one water bottle tumbling down the road; and air gushing out of my front tire as if it was angry to have been trapped in there. It's hard to leave no trace when your bike parts are bouncing off pavement and your front wheel is screaming for mercy. So, at that point, I break my own "be neither seen nor heard" rule with a cry for help: "flat!"

As I did that, the front got a bit squirrely. It wiggled around a little bit, but I controlled it with the superman bike handling skills I've learned in my single season as an expert Cat 5 racerguy. As I pulled over, the rest of the group was decent enough to stop and wait. Not only that, Cain went back for my bottle.

As I start to take off the back wheel, PSImet storms in with authority. The scene quickly turned from wheel change "Pep Boy's Style" to wheel change PSImet style. If you people haven't seen the man in action, you should. He was the surgeon and I was his surgeon's assistant. "Levers" he'd shout. I'd look for levers. "Tube" says' PSImet. I'm grabbing a tube. "Co2" he commands. Matt's digging out the Co2. All of this is happening out in the middle of nowhere. There were a couple other riders watching PSImet work and noting the damage. As it's all going on, I can't help but think to myself how trusting these guys are considering I once buried several bodies in a corn field just like this one! Like a NASCAR pit crew on a 15 second stop, we're back on the road like nothing happened.

All is right for the world. Except for, maybe... yeah... the front wheel is a little wobbly. I ignore it. It doesn't ignore me. "What can I do about it now" I'm thinking to myself. Then it dawns on me. My wheel's out of true. I need a true wheel. I'm going to drop back with the slowest rider, bikejack 'em, and use the wheel to fix my bike (note to young people: there's a simple solution to every problem).

A few miles up the road, no good pray has fallen off the back. The group rolls up to a stop sign. I'm starting to get nervous about my wheel. How can I ride another 30 miles on a slightly-out-of-true wheel? If nobody gets dropped what am I going to do? As we roll away from the stop, things got a little squishy in back. Like, so squishy that it almost felt as if I was riding on my rim. I deduced I was riding on my rim. I looked down to confirm my thought. I was correct. BRILLIANT!

Seems that the hole put an immediate leak in the front, and a slower leak in the rear. Everybody stops again. Now I've got a serious problem. I had one tube. I used it. I had one CO2. I used it.

You dream, all your life, about how you'll react in situations where it's the entire world against you. Hell, maybe you even watch it in the Rambo movies. This was no dream or Rambo movie, people. This was reality. I needed a tube. I needed Co2, and I don't have 'em. All of these other people had them, but they'd surely fight to the death before continuing under-prepared.

Somebody is getting waxed. As I look around to see who was foolish enough to stop, PSImet comes running towards me. He's small, easy pray. He's also sure to not come out in a situation like this underprepared. The closer he came to my ride, the closer he came to meeting his maker. As I'm thinking whether or not he's going to meet his demise through a Jimmy "Superfly" Snooka bodyslam, or if I'm going to drop the DDT on him like Jake the Snake, he yells at me: "Give me that wheel... we need to make this quick" (as if I was the one slowing him down on the previous tire change). His ability to change my wheel really quickly right there just saved his skin. I wondered to myself if he knew how lucky he was?

As PSImet is doing what PSImet does I set my sights on Cain. Cain doesn't ride with a saddle bag. I could see his jersey pockets filled with a pump and tubes. As I walk over to incapacitate him, he hands me a tube. He must have known just what these hands are capable of? Now it seemed a little foolish to take him out. I mean, why risk a parole violation on smoking him when all I needed was a tube... and I had it?

I didn't just need the tube, though. My awesome coping skills and problem solving skills set in... there was one other rider with us. I believe his name was Wayne. Wayne was about to be in pain, and it wasn't going to be tame. Before I could even drop the People's Elbow on his thorax he hands me CO2. He must have been scared. Or, a decent guy. Either way, I don't know. I leave "judging" to the courts.

Having now changed all the tubes on my ride, PSImet yelled at me to get going. Does he know who the heck he's barking at? Probably not. Lucky for him, he sped off quicker than I could get up to speed.

From there, things broke up to a bunch of little groups. Colorchange and the fast people sped off. The B group came around us, then waited. I limped back in with JT1 and Cain grateful that I wasn't forced to make either of them disappear. Because my electronic home monitoring program requires I be back in the house by noon each day, I only did the first loop.

All-in-all it was a great ride. I can't offer enough thanks to every for both waiting when I flatted and helping/loaning your services and parts. I know I own Cain a tube and Wayne (is it Wayne?) some CO2. Guys, PLEASE PM ME YOUR CONTACT info. I want to get you guys back, and I'm not joking.

Enough of all this serious talk, though. Here's my lame attempt at humor by way of the top 7 things I learned on this ride:

7. PSImet will scream at you if your rims don't have baby powder;
6. PSImet will scream at you if you put the valve stem nut on ("THAT'S NOT NECESSARY!");
5. PSImet will scream at you if you put on the valve stem cap;
4. PSImet will scream at you if you can't change tubes quicker than you cant tie your shoes;
3. If anybody other than PSImet is screaming at you, you're about to run into a hole you don't see;
2. PSImet organizes a better, more fun century than any of the officially organized rides I've been on.
1. The people who post on here (other than myself) are solid, decent people and you're crazy if you have the opportunity to ride with them in the future and don't.

Report:

I rode my bike. It was pretty good.

I'll leave the yarns about this ride to those that are a bit more eloquent than me but, I must thank PSIMET again for his efforts in organizing this event.

Everyone was cool, even the "A" guys for the first 200 meters :notamused:, the weather was perfect and I lived to tell my wife the tale.

Special thanks must go to MJH2 and JT1 for dragging my sorry butt the last 8 miles rather than leaving me out there with the horses and roadkill...

I'll keep riding and maybe I'll see some of you before next year.

Peace.

Somebody is getting waxed. As I look around to see who was foolish enough to stop, PSImet comes running towards me. He's small, easy pray. He's also sure to not come out in a situation like this underprepared. The closer he came to my ride, the closer he came to meeting his maker. As I'm thinking whether or not he's going to meet his demise through a Jimmy "Superfly" Snooka bodyslam, or if I'm going to drop the DDT on him like Jake the Snake, he yells at me: "Give me that wheel... we need to make this quick" (as if I was the one slowing him down on the previous tire change).

:roflmao2: I nearly spit my soda all over the screen!

My report: After much sandbagging (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=7506645&postcount=188) the nagging feeling that I was going to miss out was killing me -- especially knowing that the in-laws soon would be here. So I rounded up two of my neighbors and headed out for a quick little day-break ride. 17 short miles later I realized that I was paying the price for my recent riding schedule (3 days on the bike in August, None in September until today). Nonetheless, despite my pain I was longing to be down suffering with the rest of you all day. Sounds like it was a great time again this year!

Short and sweet for me! I couldn't have had a better day. Great times, lots of laughs and WONDERFUL food provided between loops by voldemort and JT1. I knew it was a self supported ride but came woefully underprepared.

Voldemort's hatchback buffet was fabulous. Loved the cheerios and soynuts. Thank you for the shot blocks as well. As you might imagine I needed them on the 3rd route. Psimet pulls his fast one that I always still fall for ....."oh, yeah....we're really gonna slow it down on the 3rd loop....everyone's tired, blah, blah, blah" 2 miles later.....we're back above 20 mph. :p

JT1's peanut butter/banana rolled up in tortillas concoction hit the spot. I wouldn't have made it on the 3rd loop without it. Healthy version of an Elvis favorite. It will be my lunch this week.

Oh, about the riding....I am MOST happy. I stayed with the group the entire 2nd and 3rd route.....even took a turn at the front. First time ever I've ridden with this group and been able to hang the entire way. I felt good all day. Had a few rough patches but got through them fine.

Best of all, we saw timmyquest in person. JT1 and I determined that we were old enough to be his parents. I think he's pretty much hooked now that he's hung out with us for a day. He will soon be ditching all of his younger, hipper friends for us.

Recursive's new ride is sweet. It was great to get to ride with him and Colorchange...rarely happens for me. ;) Nice to chat with shider's wife for the ride in as well.

Iab, a salted nut roll was consumed in your honor on the 3rd loop...it was not consumed by me but I did hold it long enough for the Psimet Invitational Photographer (Colorchange) to snap a picture of it by my thigh which is where they immediately go if *I* eat one. I was in a dehydrated, delirious state of mind by that point....will regret that decision as soon as the picture is posted. :o

Anxious to hear everyone else's reports. Great turnout...Thanks, Psimet!!!!

Psimet is Da Bomb. this ride rocks. the organization, the format, the turnout, the weather, and the hand highlighted maps/ques sheets!!! nice work again my friend. :thumb:

the fun started in the parking lot before roll out. we had some speedy looking folks showing up and before i was even all geared up Psi was dropping his box-o-hammers. i tried to snag one for later in the ride, but dang it he carries some big hammers.

every year the lead group gets a little faster at this ride. well, this year it was a lot faster with some warm up intervals tossed in. ouch!! as you may have read, we had a couple flats the first 10 miles. three flats. the mad mechanic and ColorChange took lead on these and had them changed out pretty darn fast. however, Iab and his group still flew by us while we fixed the first two of our three flats. unfortunately for me, they became Shider's rabbit. Shider loves chasing him some rabbits.

i ended up wheel sucking off of Shider, CC, and Cy while we hammered off after them. these three were riding real well. they were flying up every roller almost faster then they were going down them. they had to fall back and drag me back to the group on two different occassions. see, it was a No Drop Ride :D.

we finally chased down Iab's group just before the alleged rest stop. the rest of the first loop was just as fast and just as fun. as we reloaded for the second loop good old recursive rolled into town. yeah, the second loop was not going to be any slower. i was right.

the second loop involved some sprints. ok, well it involved me watching the sprints. there ended up being four of us off the front and we worked well together. Shider and recursive took massive turns at the front and that wan nice.........for me :D.

i had to split after the seond loop. i ended up around 67 miles and a 21 mph avgerage. had a great time riding with the BFNIC gang and look forward to the next one. later.

I must say that was the perfect day for a ride, although I only had time for one loop. Typically, the A group hammered at the start but it only a couple of miles before the B group dropped them. There was some lame excuse of a "flat tire" or two, but we on the road know the bottom line, the entire B group had more KOM points than CC, shider, aham, Cy and the rest of the As at the end of the first loop. One word for those pinch flats, tubulars my friends, tubulars.

Speaking of old school, I got many looks of bewilderment with my bike. Is that 4 cogs in back? Your water bottle looks like a canteen. What's with the shifter at your feet? Did you just downshift? I would have liked to seen that. For me, it's too bad the engine sucks so much. :)

Soon after the rest stop I was sweeping the As. Again, it was a fine day for a bike ride.

Lots of people showed up.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/a9bbc70b.jpg

Hammers were dropped.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/385b5cc3.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/08a239e7.jpg

Maps consulted.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/3c59f07d.jpg


More soon.

great to see everyone on the 1st loop. i'm not really going to make excuses, i just don't have the fitness that i normally do, which is why i was dead after only 38 miles.

ok, here's my excuse:
http://media.tumblr.com/FS4UexB1Rdndao7i6N0f7Lad_500.jpg

Hammerheads plotting and scheming.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/4be69133.jpg

Getting ready to roll out the first loop

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/e6e22f50.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/e63dd529.jpg

More free advertising for Bike Forums. I think they should automatically get Titanium Club level status.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/1263b5bf.jpg

Speaking of titanium. Spicy Habanero.... cheddar powered!

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/9b300913.jpg

voldemort wondering who might have their tires go out from under them on the second loop. Look inward for the answer, young man. (glad you're okay)

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/76034c81.jpg

The devil called and ordered a new balaclava.... timmyquest showed up!

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/f54530b8.jpg

The Second Loop crowd.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/90771746.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/cylowe97/2008%20Psimet%20Invitational/8cd196d1.jpg

Rock and roll.

Great day for a ride! First loop was sort of a long warn-up, as I was riding sweep. New rider, Pete, had only 100 miles under his belt, and a new Trek 1.5 he had just gotten. He's a big dude (he was riding a 64cm frame), I think he said he was 270. So he was hurtin' on some of those climbs. Throw in a broken spoke, and a missed turn, and I'm glad my computer was deceased so I don't know what our average speed was for the whole loop. The plus side is I was ready to roll with the "A" group on round 2!

Second loop was one big happy group rolling out. Eventually broke down to smaller subgroups. Psimet had managed to find this great route that included some gravel roads to test us;). Right after I snickered and called "Gravel!" on one turn, I managed to ride too close to the side of the road into the deeper gravel. Guess what? You can't turn a corner with no resistance under the wheel. So instead I dumped my bike and myself. It was one of those things where you see yourself in slow-motion. As I went down, my brain said:
"I'm...going...to...crash...I'm...crashing...and...my...head...is...bouncing...on...the...ground:eek: S**t!...my arm!":injured: Nice to do this with some people around to help, although I must admit I felt like an idiot/noob dumping my ride at a speed of 6-7 mph.:o After a quick inventory of body parts (all still attached), and some help cleaning and bandaging my arm, it was back in the saddle to finish the loop. It wasn't until later that I found some nice road rash on my side, and my hip, and the back of my left shoulder. I'm not sure how I hit so many different sides of my body on the same fall.
ANYWAYS, it looked worse than it felt, and all-in-all it was a great day.:D

THANKS! PSIMET:thumb:

I was leading you into that turn...probably my fault. When in doubt, blame TQ


Great day for a ride! First loop was sort of a long warn-up, as I was riding sweep. New rider, Pete, had only 100 miles under his belt, and a new Trek 1.5 he had just gotten. He's a big dude (he was riding a 64cm frame), I think he said he was 270. So he was hurtin' on some of those climbs. Throw in a broken spoke, and a missed turn, and I'm glad my computer was deceased so I don't know what our average speed was for the whole loop. The plus side is I was ready to roll with the "A" group on round 2!

Second loop was one big happy group rolling out. Eventually broke down to smaller subgroups. Psimet had managed to find this great route that included some gravel roads to test us;). Right after I snickered and called "Gravel!" on one turn, I managed to ride too close to the side of the road into the deeper gravel. Guess what? You can't turn a corner with no resistance under the wheel. So instead I dumped my bike and myself. It was one of those things where you see yourself in slow-motion. As I went down, my brain said:
"I'm...going...to...crash...I'm...crashing...and...my...head...is...bouncing...on...the...ground:eek: S**t!...my arm!":injured: Nice to do this with some people around to help, although I must admit I felt like an idiot/noob dumping my ride at a speed of 6-7 mph.:o After a quick inventory of body parts (all still attached), and some help cleaning and bandaging my arm, it was back in the saddle to finish the loop. It wasn't until later that I found some nice road rash on my side, and my hip, and the back of my left shoulder. I'm not sure how I hit so many different sides of my body on the same fall.
ANYWAYS, it looked worse than it felt, and all-in-all it was a great day.:D

THANKS! PSIMET:thumb:


BTW
If it flies, ****s, or floats...

LOL TQ ... you need to finish that joke for the people who weren't there!

Let's see the pic CC....you had the most/best...

WOn't have time for a full writeup for a while, but some basics:

Loop 1:
KOR (King of Rollers) = iab
QOR (Queen of Rollers) = nothingman

Loop 2:
KOR = Recursive
QOR = ??

Loop 3:
KOR = Recursive
QOR = shider family

Boobie prizes:
Flattie = who else....MJH2
Chatty Cathy = JT1
Latern Rouge = SmokinMiles (she hung back to help sweep the end and got a used red blinkie for her troubles)
Hammer Time = Colorchange....for dropping back, waiting about 3 minutes then sweeping back up to the front because we were all going too slow. :thumb:

Pictures and write-up coming later this morning. ;)

It was a great time!! Psi, thanks!

The first loop started out easy for the first 200 meters. I was hanging with the B group but in short order we became the "A" group when the guys that broke away stopped for a water break. They said something about a flat tire but I did not see anything like that. Just everyone standing around drinking water as we rode by. We kept away for a good part of the ride and when we were finally caught by several riders from the "B" group. As they rode by I made sure to let the other riders in our group know by announcing that the "B" group finally caught us. We made a wrong turn (ok, I led the way on the turn) adding about 2 miles at the end of the first loop. One broken spoke was the biggest problem we faced.

Loop2 was faster than my first loop. We stayed together pretty much until the break at the gas station. Soon after the break we hit the King of the Rolllers and a few riders went ahead to contest this. This is when we split. Soon after the KOR, the group somewhat came together but three riders looked serious and formed a pace line and broke away. I bridged the gap creating the goup of 4 and we stayed away for the rest of the loop. I'm not sure who in our 4 had the Cervelo with the aero wheels but those wheels really pickup the stones. When we hit the gravel road it was like a hail storm when I was on your wheel!!

I could not make loop 3.

I was a great time and well organized. :thumb:

OK, some selected shots. It’s a little slow processing the files as the raw format is new and Photoshop (ACR) doesn’t read it yet.

Nietsmas refueling after the first loop.

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491540/original.jpg


Had a crash in the parking lot (sorry Footballer, … too funny not to post).

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491541/original.jpg

Here is CyLowe saying “I can’t even push the bike, I’ll never last the third leg.”

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491533/original.jpg


Here is the third leg starting group: four of us did the full century - Shider (3rd from left), Jim (5th), Psi (6th), ColorChange (2nd from right) (Boy are you short Psi!)

http://www.pbase.com/image/103491530/original.jpg

Here is Psi finishing strong … Is that a smile? WTF?

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491538/original.jpg


Voldemort: It’s good to be done.

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491535/original.jpg

Recursive: I’m really hot!

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491539/original.jpg



And now for the award ceremonies:

Chatty Cathy: JT1

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491536/original.jpg


Lantern Rouge: Crystal

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491531/original.jpg


Hammer Time: Colorchange (I feel bad not winning a single individual event … next year, P.S. – notice the nice helmet hair)



http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103491534/original.jpg

I’ve got a few more.

First stop. Cy on the phone … “Where the hell are you guys?”

http://www.pbase.com/image/103494020/original.jpg

Here are some last stop shots.

#1 Crystal showing where this would go if she ate it.

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103494036/original.jpg

#2: JT1 saying “I feel the need to hit myself in the head!”

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103494043/original.jpg

#3: Recursive saying “Awesome JT1! Go ahead Psi … hit yourself in the head too. Look at me, I do it all the time.”

http://www.pbase.com/image/103494163/original.jpg


#4: Psi hitting himself in the head.

http://www.pbase.com/colorchange/image/103494073/original.jpg

MJH2: That was one hell of a ride report!

I started loop 1 with the b group and had a pleasant ride to the first rest stop. Then I thought I would see how long I would last with the a group. Answer: not long. I was dropped pretty quickly. Time to break out the cue sheet! iab found me at the tail end of loop 1 while he was "sweeping the a group". Oh, and I fell in the parking lot, but I don't think anyone noticed.

Loop 2 started out as one big group. I actually kept up with everyone until we got to that gravel road and decided to take a detour. At that point my legs were shot and, again, I was dropped. Time to break out the cue sheet! Wait a minute, we aren't on that course any more. Time to turn around and find my way back to the parking lot! I (slowly) rode back to the parking lot and, this time, I didn't fall down.

I rode about 55 miles total (which is the 2nd longest distance I've ever done), got a really good workout, and the start of loop 2 was the first time I've ever ridden in a large group - that was pretty cool.

Thanks to Psi for putting this together. I enjoyed meeting everyone.

Exhbit A - why I like maps better.

My bad on the construction. I caught a few parts before, but in general I did not ride the route to verify that it was OK beforehand. I will not repeat that mistake...hopefully.

...and no...no one noticed your fall....
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7885/dsc04280fc1.jpg

Piling on Psi ...

Piling on!

I didn't notice. LOL!


Not that any of us have ever done it. :innocent:

MJH2: That was one hell of a ride report!


I approach ride reports like I'm Fox News: Fair and balanced.

For a while there we thought you were a gonner. :innocent:


MJH2: That was one hell of a ride report!

I started loop 1 with the b group and had a pleasant ride to the first rest stop. Then I thought I would see how long I would last with the a group. Answer: not long. I was dropped pretty quickly. Time to break out the cue sheet! iab found me at the tail end of loop 1 while he was "sweeping the a group". Oh, and I fell in the parking lot, but I don't think anyone noticed.

Loop 2 started out as one big group. I actually kept up with everyone until we got to that gravel road and decided to take a detour. At that point my legs were shot and, again, I was dropped. Time to break out the cue sheet! Wait a minute, we aren't on that course any more. Time to turn around and find my way back to the parking lot! I (slowly) rode back to the parking lot and, this time, I didn't fall down.

I rode about 55 miles total (which is the 2nd longest distance I've ever done), got a really good workout, and the start of loop 2 was the first time I've ever ridden in a large group - that was pretty cool.

Thanks to Psi for putting this together. I enjoyed meeting everyone.

D'Oh!

I rediscovered something on this ride. Don't feign an attack when shider's around. He will catch you and drop the hammer. Wow, that first loop was quick. My rambling ride report is here (http://the-wedge.blogspot.com/2008/09/2008-psimet-invitational-what-ride.html), if anyone is interested.

Oh yeah.... Hey, aham, did you stop at Wendy's on the way home? I did. The double cheeseburger, fries, and Dr. Pepper was mighty tasty. Hit. The. Spot.

For the record, I think RJBTrek was the KOR for loop one. I only "dropped" the big boys for points :D.

And for recovery, a couple of Chalupas are actually pretty nasty.

I rediscovered something on this ride. Don't feign an attack when shider's around. He will catch you and drop the hammer. Wow, that first loop was quick. My rambling ride report is here (http://the-wedge.blogspot.com/2008/09/2008-psimet-invitational-what-ride.html), if anyone is interested.

Oh yeah.... Hey, aham, did you stop at Wendy's on the way home? I did. The double cheeseburger, fries, and Dr. Pepper was mighty tasty. Hit. The. Spot.


i can not lie, i did not. i did pass a Wendys and they even had a giant one pictured in the store front window. i think it spoke to me as i passed. i had bigger fish to fry that day. i refueld at home with two PB&J. then is was dinner at Lou Malnati's followed up by DQ. i had blizzard on the brain thanks to CC. Chicago style deep dish and a chocolate exreme blizzard paired well together. :D later.

Now you're talking Ahem!

I stopped at a Wendy's. And also a McD's. I ate at both of them.

I stopped at a Wendy's. And also a McD's. I ate at both of them.

I always knew there was a reason you're my hero. Now I know.

I stopped at a Wendy's. And also a McD's. I ate at both of them.

Ah, to be young again! I remember those days fondly! :innocent:


I always knew there was a reason you're my hero. Now I know.

+1 :thumb:

Datas:

http://www.trainingpeaks.com/tny.aspx?a=sw&key=UZ%2FPT7btCKbfQj5V5EtZr5iUk6P6c8tT

Neato...

PSI...can you send me that information on those tuesday night rides again? I probably wont make it but i wana try...

Neato...

PSI...can you send me that information on those tuesday night rides again? I probably wont make it but i wana try...

Here's the thread with info (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=412649)

We rolled out at 5:20 this week. It will need to be 5:15 again for next week. You should be there 4-sure.

Here's the thread with info (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=412649)

We rolled out at 5:20 this week. It will need to be 5:15 again for next week. You should be there 4-sure.

'less i get a job, i gots no excuse...

Finally a ride report. I have it on my blog too. With pictures there. Just been too busy...

OK...I guess I should finally write this....

I was actually running a bit late this year and by the time I got to the preserve there were already many cars there. I proceeded to drive in with the annoying Flobots "handlebars" song playing. I also got straight out of the car and....

...I dropped the hammer. Well hammers really. I figured it would help set a tone for the ride. Oh and in BF talk that's "drope the hamer" (Droh-puh thuh hahm-ur).

So we got the group together and decided to roll out on the first loop. As usual I led things off out of the parking lot. This is my way of making sure the group stays together to at least the first turn....about 50 ft down the road.

After the first turn I back up down the line and watched the greyhounds take off after the invisible rabbit. This year I didn't feel as back knowing that we were going to blow people off the back. I think more were well aware of what was coming.

We were rolling well. By well I mean fast. Everything was meshing well. People were talking, we were running a double paceline, the mood was good, etc. We were on Brier Hill rd which I had driven in my car the day before. I remembered there were some nasty holes and was about to announce to the group to be on the lookout when I heard yelling and saw some movement in the line.

Yup...shider had ridden around the hole without mentioning it, general mayhem ensued. I swore I heard CyLowe do one of his patented, "you think you'd point out..." quips. There was jumping, swerving, swearing, etc. I made it by with no issues. Everything was good until I heard:

"THUNK, THUNK...SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

There is no mistaking the sound of lead-assing a hole or the subsequent flat that erupts thereafter. Classic pinch flat. I yelled, "FLAT!!!!" as is customary in these situations. I also pulled to the side to help out...it was MJH2 - can't leave a teamate behind right?

A few other guys stopped as well (Nothingman, New Guy). I'm trying to do the 2 minute tube swap I know lives inside of me (think cycling version of the tire changing in Christmas Story), but MJH2 never put baby powder on his tubes before mounting them...they had basically vulcanized themselves to the tire casing.

At this point the "B" group we had so flippantly thrown off the back came rolling by....with smiles. Soon enough we were back on and rolling. I figured the A group had left us, but it turns out they were just on the otherside of the next roller....nietsmas had flatted as well.

So we start rolling...with real rabbits to catch. Then there was another flat....seriously. MJH2 had a slower leak from the rear that none of us caught the first time. We were under 10 miles and already digging into the reserves of tubes and CO2.

As we begun rolling again I was with aham23 who looked at me and said, "man I love this interval stuff we're doing". Seriously....it was tough...hot/cold/hot/cold. Did not bode well for a day of hard riding.

The rabbit chase was on. I was holding my own about mid-pack. Feeling great. With my Garmin on the fritz I had to keep pulling the map from the back to check it out. I keep forgetting that I could just put it up the leg of my shorts for easy access. Well, I went to grab the map and was getting my bearings around a turn on to Harmony. When checking the map you keep you distance to the wheel in front of you. Well...the wheel in front of me left a gap. By the time I looked up the front end of the line had a pretty serious gap on us.

I was still half torn between riding hard to get up to the front or hanging with the "A-" group. *editor's note - I at this point while writing this because we had a tool explode at work. i am now returning to finish after 5 hours...*

I wanted to stay in the front group I decided. At this point my decision was coming kind of late. They had a huge gap on me (1/8 - 1/4 mile at least). I solo TT'd and was able to hold the gap where it was....then whenever I backed off a tad I would lose ground. I had my computer in my back pocket, but I know I was going hard (23-ish - maybe even more). I kept sitting up going, "I'm not going to catch them...just wait." Then I would change my mind and hammer even after losing more ground.

I finally gave up when I had my saddle tilt back on me. If you've never had your saddle tilt back on you let me try to explain what it feels like. Take a few fingers, stick them up your butt and try to pull your cell phone out of your front pocket with them. So I stopped and adjusted the saddle and waited.

We had a decent "A-" group. We stopped quite a few times for me to adjust my saddle, to wait up, etc. We made it up to the KOR section (King of the Rollers). This is kinid of my version of the Tour's King of the Mountains, but more specific to the flat lands that are Illinois. First one over is King of the Rollers. There were already 2 groups through (B's and A+'s) so there was no chance of any of us being first over.....

....but I also have a "Queen of the Rollers" competition as well. While always a runner-up I have never taken that prize which goes to the girlish sap that is last over the hill. I actually went over first in the A- group. Felt good.

After that we blew throught the stop figuring that the other groups had skipped it. We were soon stopped while I was fixing my saddle again when CyLowe called asking us where we were. They had decided to stop and wait for us. Ooops. So we waited for them to catch up to where we were. As shider came into sight I told everyone, "you might as well start rolling because shider isn't going to stop as he comes through here." He didn't. From there it was a race back to the start.

I found myself 2nd group again. nietsmas and I started running a decent paceline with footballer. We started a rotation. He knew what the deal was. He got in front and started to do the popcorn dance. You know...where you're all over the machine digging deep for the speed while looking over your shoulder every 5 seconds to make sure you're not being overtaken and/or leaving everyone behind? That dance. I was about to say, "ride within yourself. Don't make yourself pop. You're no good to us off the back." when he flicked and pulled to the side.

I held pace and looked back in about a minute to see him off the back. "DAMNIT!" I looked at nietsmas, "Should we wait up for him or keep going?" "Might as well [keep going]. We finally have a good rythum going." Sorry footballer...:(

In short order nietsmas popped as well. He's a new dad and really hasn't been on the bike a lot lately. He was pretty sure he was going to pop and called it out beforehand, but still sucks to see him blow. He's like a diesel engine that just cranks along and then when he pops he pops. No real chance for recovery.

We came in from the first loop and he packed it in for the day - (I'll add picture later).

Footballer had a clipless fall down in the parking lot that I was able to catch with my camera:


MJH2 received the first boobie prize as well....flattie. It's a tire patch kit along with an extra tube.


Stats loop 1: 37.88 miles, 1:57:09 time, Avg speed of 19.4mph with approx 1,500 ft of climbing. Spicy, but not leg killer by any means.

Loop 2 is where my camera died. Recursive showed up. He's a Cat 3 cheese headed racer that graces us with his presence quite often. We all like seeing him and he's always pretty good at humoring our slow asses. smokinmiles showed up to lay the energizer bunny routine on all of us (she never stops at stops...seriously). timmyquest showed as well too. You might remember him from the "I don't have any shoes" saga from either last year or the year before.

I hate the route on loop 2. It just sucks. It's a West-East out and back for the most part. It's on extremely flat roads with really nothing to look at. The killer is if there is a wind. It will almost always be a headwind on this leg. Luckily there was no wind. We all kept together too. Some of the riders in the rear would open a gap up in front of them as we came floating back to allow us back in front of them in the rotation. It kept the stronger riders riding hard at the front and allowed the ones working harder enough of a break to hold the group together. Worked great...

Ran across a road that had fresh gravel spread on it - waiting for oil. While everyone pondered what we were to do I yelled, "keep going straight" and kept riding. I was taking it easy until I heard colorchange yell, "it's a breakaway. GET HIM!" He joined me. We looked back and no one was really going hard after us....so we hit the gas. Recursive was with us at this point and went to the front....and turned it up. I held for what I could. We were going fast. Really fast. Ludicrous speed in fact. I popped soon after I heard colorchange yell, "go hard, but not frickin 30+ mph!"

We rolled into the stop in Genoa and made all the locals think that some weird mix of superheros had taken over their town. On the way out of town the next King of the Rollers section was to be had. CyLowe went with the main group challenging it and then popped. Self-admittedly his day was done from that point on.

Right after that we got into some gravel roads. Seems the county didn't check with me regarding my century route before deciding to spread the gravel. There was no turning back to we did our own Paris-Roubaix. If you don't know what Parix Roubaix is then Google it....good shiz.

Everything was going fine until we hit a 90 degree turn. I can corner fairly well so I feathered the brakes and made it around only partially sliding. Everyone else made it through OK as well....everyone except Voldemort. He overcooked it and ended up in the corn field with some nasty souvineirs. So - for those of you keeping score that's - 3 flats, clipless fall, 2 gravel roads, and a rider hitting the turf.

We made it back to end the loop with the following: 29.34 miles, 1:27:34 time, 20.1mph avg with 837ft of climbing.

At this point aham and cylowe ditched out. Only a few of us were left to do the whole deal: Voldemort, JT1, colorchange, shider and myself. I think I missed someone... Shiders family (son and wife) joined up for the last leg. We rolled out fast. No pretense at all.

The route was fast, but then I bonked. Bad. If you look at my speed file you can see it just drifting down. Same bonk that I got during the RAIN ride so I could recognize it coming on. I forced gels and prayed I'd get to the stop where I could get water. I gassed up at the stop and was ready to roll....with only 6 miles left :(.

I rolled the last bit with Shider's son. Good rider. Seemed a little uncomfortable with riding in a group, but recursive and I rode right in front and behind him all the way in to keep an eye on him. It's moments like that which make the rides fun. He'll be tearing legs off in short order. Nice natural talent.

Leg 3 stats: 32.39 miles, 1:42:41 Time, 18.9mph avg speed :(, with 951 ft of climbing for a grand total of...

Time: 5:07:24 <---Sooo close to a 5 hr century without trying. This could have been a sub 5 easy.

Mileage: 99.51 <- lost some ground with the first detour.

Avg Speed: 19.4 mph. - meh.

Great turnout. Everyone had fun. We drank a bit in the parking lot on our return and swapped stories. I handed out the rest of the boobie prizes:

Smokinmiles - latern rouge (last place, she rode in with shider's wife keeping her company. It was a reward for that move) - she received a red blinkie. A USED red blinkie.


JT1 - Chatty cathy - self explanatory

Colorchange - hammertime - gift hammer for dropping the hammer most often adn with much fury.

Finally a ride report. I have it on my blog too. With pictures there. Just been too busy...

OK...I guess I should finally write this....

I was actually running a bit late this year and by the time I got to the preserve there were already many cars there. I proceeded to drive in with the annoying Flobots "handlebars" song playing. I also got straight out of the car and....

...I dropped the hammer. Well hammers really. I figured it would help set a tone for the ride. Oh and in BF talk that's "drope the hamer" (Droh-puh thuh hahm-ur).

So we got the group together and decided to roll out on the first loop. As usual I led things off out of the parking lot. This is my way of making sure the group stays together to at least the first turn....about 50 ft down the road.

After the first turn I back up down the line and watched the greyhounds take off after the invisible rabbit. This year I didn't feel as back knowing that we were going to blow people off the back. I think more were well aware of what was coming.

We were rolling well. By well I mean fast. Everything was meshing well. People were talking, we were running a double paceline, the mood was good, etc. We were on Brier Hill rd which I had driven in my car the day before. I remembered there were some nasty holes and was about to announce to the group to be on the lookout when I heard yelling and saw some movement in the line.

Yup...shider had ridden around the hole without mentioning it, general mayhem ensued. I swore I heard CyLowe do one of his patented, "you think you'd point out..." quips. There was jumping, swerving, swearing, etc. I made it by with no issues. Everything was good until I heard:

"THUNK, THUNK...SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

There is no mistaking the sound of lead-assing a hole or the subsequent flat that erupts thereafter. Classic pinch flat. I yelled, "FLAT!!!!" as is customary in these situations. I also pulled to the side to help out...it was MJH2 - can't leave a teamate behind right?

A few other guys stopped as well (Nothingman, New Guy). I'm trying to do the 2 minute tube swap I know lives inside of me (think cycling version of the tire changing in Christmas Story), but MJH2 never put baby powder on his tubes before mounting them...they had basically vulcanized themselves to the tire casing.

At this point the "B" group we had so flippantly thrown off the back came rolling by....with smiles. Soon enough we were back on and rolling. I figured the A group had left us, but it turns out they were just on the otherside of the next roller....nietsmas had flatted as well.

So we start rolling...with real rabbits to catch. Then there was another flat....seriously. MJH2 had a slower leak from the rear that none of us caught the first time. We were under 10 miles and already digging into the reserves of tubes and CO2.

As we begun rolling again I was with aham23 who looked at me and said, "man I love this interval stuff we're doing". Seriously....it was tough...hot/cold/hot/cold. Did not bode well for a day of hard riding.

The rabbit chase was on. I was holding my own about mid-pack. Feeling great. With my Garmin on the fritz I had to keep pulling the map from the back to check it out. I keep forgetting that I could just put it up the leg of my shorts for easy access. Well, I went to grab the map and was getting my bearings around a turn on to Harmony. When checking the map you keep you distance to the wheel in front of you. Well...the wheel in front of me left a gap. By the time I looked up the front end of the line had a pretty serious gap on us.

I was still half torn between riding hard to get up to the front or hanging with the "A-" group. *editor's note - I at this point while writing this because we had a tool explode at work. i am now returning to finish after 5 hours...*

I wanted to stay in the front group I decided. At this point my decision was coming kind of late. They had a huge gap on me (1/8 - 1/4 mile at least). I solo TT'd and was able to hold the gap where it was....then whenever I backed off a tad I would lose ground. I had my computer in my back pocket, but I know I was going hard (23-ish - maybe even more). I kept sitting up going, "I'm not going to catch them...just wait." Then I would change my mind and hammer even after losing more ground.

I finally gave up when I had my saddle tilt back on me. If you've never had your saddle tilt back on you let me try to explain what it feels like. Take a few fingers, stick them up your butt and try to pull your cell phone out of your front pocket with them. So I stopped and adjusted the saddle and waited.

We had a decent "A-" group. We stopped quite a few times for me to adjust my saddle, to wait up, etc. We made it up to the KOR section (King of the Rollers). This is kinid of my version of the Tour's King of the Mountains, but more specific to the flat lands that are Illinois. First one over is King of the Rollers. There were already 2 groups through (B's and A+'s) so there was no chance of any of us being first over.....

....but I also have a "Queen of the Rollers" competition as well. While always a runner-up I have never taken that prize which goes to the girlish sap that is last over the hill. I actually went over first in the A- group. Felt good.

After that we blew throught the stop figuring that the other groups had skipped it. We were soon stopped while I was fixing my saddle again when CyLowe called asking us where we were. They had decided to stop and wait for us. Ooops. So we waited for them to catch up to where we were. As shider came into sight I told everyone, "you might as well start rolling because shider isn't going to stop as he comes through here." He didn't. From there it was a race back to the start.

I found myself 2nd group again. nietsmas and I started running a decent paceline with footballer. We started a rotation. He knew what the deal was. He got in front and started to do the popcorn dance. You know...where you're all over the machine digging deep for the speed while looking over your shoulder every 5 seconds to make sure you're not being overtaken and/or leaving everyone behind? That dance. I was about to say, "ride within yourself. Don't make yourself pop. You're no good to us off the back." when he flicked and pulled to the side.

I held pace and looked back in about a minute to see him off the back. "DAMNIT!" I looked at nietsmas, "Should we wait up for him or keep going?" "Might as well [keep going]. We finally have a good rythum going." Sorry footballer...:(

In short order nietsmas popped as well. He's a new dad and really hasn't been on the bike a lot lately. He was pretty sure he was going to pop and called it out beforehand, but still sucks to see him blow. He's like a diesel engine that just cranks along and then when he pops he pops. No real chance for recovery.

We came in from the first loop and he packed it in for the day - (I'll add picture later).

Footballer had a clipless fall down in the parking lot that I was able to catch with my camera:


MJH2 received the first boobie prize as well....flattie. It's a tire patch kit along with an extra tube.


Stats loop 1: 37.88 miles, 1:57:09 time, Avg speed of 19.4mph with approx 1,500 ft of climbing. Spicy, but not leg killer by any means.

Loop 2 is where my camera died. Recursive showed up. He's a Cat 3 cheese headed racer that graces us with his presence quite often. We all like seeing him and he's always pretty good at humoring our slow asses. smokinmiles showed up to lay the energizer bunny routine on all of us (she never stops at stops...seriously). timmyquest showed as well too. You might remember him from the "I don't have any shoes" saga from either last year or the year before.

I hate the route on loop 2. It just sucks. It's a West-East out and back for the most part. It's on extremely flat roads with really nothing to look at. The killer is if there is a wind. It will almost always be a headwind on this leg. Luckily there was no wind. We all kept together too. Some of the riders in the rear would open a gap up in front of them as we came floating back to allow us back in front of them in the rotation. It kept the stronger riders riding hard at the front and allowed the ones working harder enough of a break to hold the group together. Worked great...

Ran across a road that had fresh gravel spread on it - waiting for oil. While everyone pondered what we were to do I yelled, "keep going straight" and kept riding. I was taking it easy until I heard colorchange yell, "it's a breakaway. GET HIM!" He joined me. We looked back and no one was really going hard after us....so we hit the gas. Recursive was with us at this point and went to the front....and turned it up. I held for what I could. We were going fast. Really fast. Ludicrous speed in fact. I popped soon after I heard colorchange yell, "go hard, but not frickin 30+ mph!"

We rolled into the stop in Genoa and made all the locals think that some weird mix of superheros had taken over their town. On the way out of town the next King of the Rollers section was to be had. CyLowe went with the main group challenging it and then popped. Self-admittedly his day was done from that point on.

Right after that we got into some gravel roads. Seems the county didn't check with me regarding my century route before deciding to spread the gravel. There was no turning back to we did our own Paris-Roubaix. If you don't know what Parix Roubaix is then Google it....good shiz.

Everything was going fine until we hit a 90 degree turn. I can corner fairly well so I feathered the brakes and made it around only partially sliding. Everyone else made it through OK as well....everyone except Voldemort. He overcooked it and ended up in the corn field with some nasty souvineirs. So - for those of you keeping score that's - 3 flats, clipless fall, 2 gravel roads, and a rider hitting the turf.

We made it back to end the loop with the following: 29.34 miles, 1:27:34 time, 20.1mph avg with 837ft of climbing.

At this point aham and cylowe ditched out. Only a few of us were left to do the whole deal: Voldemort, JT1, colorchange, shider and myself. I think I missed someone... Shiders family (son and wife) joined up for the last leg. We rolled out fast. No pretense at all.

The route was fast, but then I bonked. Bad. If you look at my speed file you can see it just drifting down. Same bonk that I got during the RAIN ride so I could recognize it coming on. I forced gels and prayed I'd get to the stop where I could get water. I gassed up at the stop and was ready to roll....with only 6 miles left :(.

I rolled the last bit with Shider's son. Good rider. Seemed a little uncomfortable with riding in a group, but recursive and I rode right in front and behind him all the way in to keep an eye on him. It's moments like that which make the rides fun. He'll be tearing legs off in short order. Nice natural talent.

Leg 3 stats: 32.39 miles, 1:42:41 Time, 18.9mph avg speed :(, with 951 ft of climbing for a grand total of...

Time: 5:07:24 <---Sooo close to a 5 hr century without trying. This could have been a sub 5 easy.

Mileage: 99.51 <- lost some ground with the first detour.

Avg Speed: 19.4 mph. - meh.

Great turnout. Everyone had fun. We drank a bit in the parking lot on our return and swapped stories. I handed out the rest of the boobie prizes:

Smokinmiles - latern rouge (last place, she rode in with shider's wife keeping her company. It was a reward for that move) - she received a red blinkie. A USED red blinkie.


JT1 - Chatty cathy - self explanatory

Colorchange - hammertime - gift hammer for dropping the hammer most often adn with much fury.

Good read, and great report. It ALMOST makes me feel bad for making fun of you in mine! :thumb:

great report Psi.

first, i refuse to wait this long next year for your most entertaining recap.

second, i will not ditch next year if you sallys break less and ride more.

third, rock the fall fling.

that is all. ;) later.

At this point aham and cylowe ditched out. Only a few of us were left to do the whole deal: Voldemort, JT1, colorchange, shider and myself. I think I missed someone... Shiders family (son and wife) joined up for the last leg. We rolled out fast. No pretense at all.



Yeah Me!

Yeah Me!

Sonnuva! You're not in the group picture I have before my camera died. :(

Sorry man.....