jppe

I rode in the Tour de Moore today. It is a 105 mile ride in Moore County which the home of American golf (Pinehurst)! I had managed to stay with the front group today and right at 50 miles I dropped a chain going up a hill. After weaving through the other riders and avoiding taking anyone down, I managed to safely get on the shoulder and get the chain back on the 39.

I figured that was the last I'd see of the front group especially since I had 50 miles under me and I still had to climb the hill solo. I quickly jumped back on the bike but they were nowhere in sight. However, after chasing for about 1.5 miles I managed to chase them down. I've closed some gaps after falling off the back before but I've never been able to chase down a group of 30 guys. Especially that distance.

Granted they were not hammering away but even still it was a very, very nice feeling.

This is one really fickle activity this riding stuff.........

mollusk

The peleton effect is greatly lessened when climbing, but still a nice accomplishment. Well done!

CrossChain

The draft is mitigated yes......but the mental boost of being carried up a climb by "the unit" I find to be a help. Communal pacing, communal discomfort, communal determination make climbing in a group more fun, more easier even though the group will usually fragment. (Of course, getting flipped off the back and watching all but yourself pull away can work the other way )

stapfam

Adrenalyn has a lot to play in this. I once lost a group on the top of a hill, and that is the fastest I have ever gone down a hill without braking or worrying about the speed in trying to catch them. Even now- when I look at that hill- I get worried.

At least you can relate to your speed as fitness induced- Mine was a loss of sense.

fischman

How many testosterone patches did you need?

just having fun
Jeff

tlong

Very cool! Also, I wanted to tell you how jealous I am! I moved to the Atlanta area about 1 year ago after living in NC nearly all my life. We are happy here, but I do miss home. Moore County is absolutely my favorite place on the planet! I have played Pinehurst 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 and a lot of the surrounding courses. Golf is my first love! Our dream has always been to buy land there and build houses for the whole family...The consolation is that there is cheap golf here and a great cycling group to ride with! Let me know when they have that next year and maybe we could meet up...I would love to do that one (not quite ready for that one over at Grandfather Mountain! )

jppe

The Tour de Moore always on Labor Day so pencil it in for next year. You should be very familiar with the terrain and they do a nice job with the ride. Like you, I've played those courses as well as Mid Pines, Talamore, Pine Needles, Tobacco Rd, The Pit and #8. Still trying to get a "sponsor" to play #2....

Maybe we could do a golf/cycling trip!!