nietsmas

the bikeforums meet up time was 7am, and of course i forgot my sunglasses so i had to turn around, which made me about 10 minutes late. luckily, i found psimet, cylowe, and nvr waiting at the high school entrance so i was able to actually meet up with some forum members...

i have to apologize, but i forgot the name of the woman on the sweet pink project one trek and the gentleman on the new trek madone. we rolled out a little after 7:20 and were on our way...

the pace started pretty slow and nvr, cylowe and i headed out at a brisker pace. the scenery was nice as we rode through a couple lakefront communities and some hills.

the ride consisted of four 25 mile loops that met at a central rest stop. i must say, the rest stop was sub-par. the bagels were a bit stale and the gatorade and water coolers were swarming with bees.

after meeting up with the rest of the group at the rest stop, we decided to do the "hillier" B loop before the A loop to use our fresh legs to attack the climbs. Unfortunately, the A loop seemed to be a bit hillier (to me, anyway).

i ventured out solo on the B loop as my legs felt great and i wanted to ride at a quick pace.

for the A loop, i eventually ventured out on my own, but decided to wait for cylowe and (name of new Trek Madone). we caught a group of 9 riders doing a double rotating paceline TTT-style and basically just wheelsucked for about 45 minutes, which was fun.

for the final loop back to wilmot, i still had strong legs so i ventured out on my own again and even passed the water stop. i figured it was only 10 more miles, so i could just keep going. i did catch the 9-man group again and slid into their paceline for a few miles but eventually dropped them.

overall, it was a good ride. i enjoyed finally meeting the BF.net peoples and look forward to riding with you guys again. sorry i didn't ride more miles with you guys but my legs were just feeling too strong i guess.

my ride data:
99.51 miles
18.1 avg speed
5:30 total moving time

(my heart rate strap battery died early in the ride, so i don't have any data, but i assume my average heart rate was in the 140's-150s)

nvr

You know, I had this nice long ride report all written out and then BF asked me to sign in again! I'm not typing all of it again. Here's a condensed version.

***the excuse***
Ate 30 filipino eggrolls in lieu of payment for drywall work the night before and hardly riding for 2 weeks = dead legs

aham and shider - we've found a riding partner for you...his name is nietsmas.
psimet - thanks for hanging back with me during the "flat" A loop
SJCzar - Wisconsin "flat" = FIB "hilly"
Cylowe - thanks for almost hanging back during the last leg, but I had to take some shortcuts
nietsmas, SJCzar, JT1 - it was great meeting you.

***Funny moments***

Double rotating ICP (Insane Clown Paceline). No disrespect to these guys, but it was the most hilarious thing I've seen on a ride. These guys were all yelling and waving arms everywhere. It was like watching the Stooges in lycra. Psimet and I just looked at each other and started laughing.

Got passed by a tractor going 15mph and thought briefly of drafting, but knew I couldn't keep up.

Psimet running into me going >30mph downhill...that'll wake you up faster than coffee ever will!

Bee buzzing around in my jersey. Don't know how long it was there, but thankfully I didn't get stung.


I cut about 6 miles off the final leg and made it home just in time. No forgiveness asked for Hopefully my legs will be back to normal in time for the Psimet invitational. I'll post some pics after I get them uploaded.

SJCzar

I enjoyed being able to meet you guys and ride along for at least a little while.

After reading your reports, I think I should have just hustled it up and thrown in that extra loop. If the "B" route wasn't much different than the "A" I probably would have had enough time.

As most of my riding friends would attest to, I'm not the best judge of what's hilly or not. They've learned to not take my word for it anymore.

nietsmas

oh, and BTW, for those of you that i asked about my armwarmers:

the reason that no one found them was because both of them were in my rear pocket. i thought i had put one in each pocket

JT1

Well I finished my second century. It was great meeting some of the BF members, and joining them for the ride. I appreciate the warm welcome and the helpful tips I received. The ride was motivating, challenging, and humbling at times. I expected a faster ride than my first century two weeks ago the CCC. I'm not sure if it was the hills or my over training, but I had a hard time getting going. Although I felt pretty strong the last 20 miles or so. I'm taking a couple days off from riding this week to rest before I ride the Pedal The Kettle on Sunday.

Psimet2001 

I guess it's time for me to write a report.

First let me say that the description of this ride being "mostly flat" was a little incorrect. I'll have to connect the organizers with the Illinois Board of Weights and Measures so that the real definition of flat can be learned.

Following nvr's lead I ust start with how out of shape I am in. Since I t-boned the dog on the trail the first week of August I have been on 4 rides. 1 trainer session, 1 25 mile group ride, and 2 centuries. Blah-blah-blah.

CyLowe and I carpooled up to he start. Hung around waiting for others to show. I was about to suggest heading out because no one was there yet, but then everyone rolled in. It was kind of strange to be riding with a totally new crew for the first time in over a year....well not totally new, but it felt like it.

We rolled out. I saw a pretty decently sized hill on the way in that I knew we'd be climbing on the way out. Did I mention I don't like hills. So I'm just rolling out trying to warm up. I guess that was too slow.

My HR was pinned from the beginning, but I actually didn't feel too bad. I could just feel I didn't have a lot in the tank. Another gap opened between the front and the back. I figured it was time to say goodbye to the front. I rode with SJCzar through to the first stop.

During the first loop JT1 asked a female rider that we were passing a question that seemed pretty off-color. CyLowe was pretty offended and was about to let JT1 know that...until he found out that it was actually his wife.

At the first stop we decided to try to get the "hilly" route out of the way. I rode a lot of that leg with JT1. It seemed like it would never end.

I was looking forward to the next leg. It was the "flat" one. Honestly it seemed like it would never end. nvr and I hung together. At one point I could hear a bunch of riders yelling non-stop. As they got closer it got funnier.

"Riders up!"
"Keep it tight!"
"Who's next? Pull up!"
"The more we work together the less we work!"

Every command was echoed by the rest of the group as though it were gospel. They came creeping past at pretty low speed (we were admitedly sucking wind). I had to look at nvr...trying not to laugh. We both kind of cracked up when they passed us.

I actually ran out of water during this "flat" leg. I had 2 large bottles with me. I never drink more than 2 bottles in 25 miles. Crazy.

The last leg was downhill. It rocked. Nice speed. We crept into the large group for the last 8 miles or so. When we got back CyLowe and I went in and ordered a brat from the local high school girls volleyball team.

All in all a great - scenic ride. I enjoyed it even if it was hillier than expected. This one is a definite must do next year as well.

Like always nvr took the pictures, and I can't wait to see them.

nvr

Sorry for such a late posting, but here's the pics from the ride.

Psimet and SJCzar with a one of a kind pink polka-dotted trek




JT1 and nietsmas on their sweet bikes




Cylowe leading us out of the parking lot...little did he know that he left alone




Group shot minus me...you can see JT1 way in the back




Group shot minus Psimet (he's nice enough to take my pic, what a nice guy)



My view most of the time




Lots and lots of corn on this ride



That's all I got. It took all my energy to keep going, I wasn't about to slow down to fumble with the camera again