banerjek

If you ever want to attract Freds, all you need to do is make sure the ride you're organizing contains word "century" in the name. As the Strawberry Century was held yesterday, I couldn't resist.

There are many dogs along the route, and 20 some odd miles in I encountered eight of them on/near the road at one property. That's the most I've seen at one time in all the years I've ridden. I'd love to tell you that something fun happened, but they took no interest in me.

Shortly after passing the dogs, I discovered my bite valve had gotten knocked off by my spokes and my entire water supply had drained. Friggin' hell. I solved that problem by refilling with an obliging garden hose and jamming a borrowed pen up the tube. That made drinking awkward for the rest of the ride, but it basically worked.

My luck soon changed for the better. The Strawberry includes a stop sign at the bottom of a hill. People wave you through if it's clear but often it's not. This year, I was able to roll through at 43mph

The rest of the ride was uneventful, though one of the stops included the best ride snack I have ever eaten -- a banana slathered with peanut butter which then has chocolate syrup poured over it. It's a little messy to eat, but it is da bomb.

My highracer was a total chick magnet. Granted, at least half of them were 50+ but hey, they were awesome riders and I enjoyed talking to them.

Overall, it was an excellent day and I look forward to my next Fredly ride. Normally, I like to go out every weekend, but skiing is in the plans right now -- we still have loads of snow.

horatio 

Sounds like you had a blast, despite the minor setbacks. It's amazing that none of those eight dogs was interested in a chase!

rollin

If you look up "Fred" in the illustrated Encyclopedia Britannica there is a picture of a guy riding a bent down a steep hill, past some sleeping dogs, sucking a patched up camelbak and eating a banana...



Well done.

Velo Vol 

Did you get permission? Or did you steal someone's water?

Snow. ha ha funny

banerjek

People sometimes tell me "the Lord will provide" and "the Lord helps those who help themselves." I took both statements at face value as only an imbecile would ride a significant distance without water and a church is a great place to get water. Besides, you're not trespassing in the normal sense of the word when you enter the property.

FLvector

^ Just think of it as borrowing water. You can return it in a slightly different concentration....

banerjek

Come to think about it, I did return it with interest

hammond9705

I will admit to getting water from a country church a time or 2 myself. I try to remember to throw a few extra bucks in the collection plate next time I'm at church.

Lamabb

I once filled up at church in rural country.... a priest gave me a miniature bible... so I now have a tiny 3 X 5" new testament with text so small you'd have a hard time reading it with a magnifying glass.

M_FactorX19

ill also admit to using a church or 3s water for a fill up.

KoYak

Looks like you were on a recumbent? Just that fact alone makes it Fredly ;-).

Just poking fun...my other bike is a low racer.