Saturday 09-17-2011
Bunch – Pete, Jeff, Lili, Roger and joined by Randy – coined an “intimate bunch” by Pete. We set off at 7:40 AM in near perfect conditions, cool tropical morning with a red sun rising, warming the light fog. We were treated to a delightful sight of many colorful hot air balloons in the north-eastern sky, an encouraging indication of calm wind conditions. Pleasantly surprised to see our “intimate bunch” moving at near perfect warm-up pace for the first lap, 22 mph average, comfortable. Pete was behaving pacing long but maintaining a controlled speed and cadence, no heroics, everyone happy to be out. Lap 2, same, almost too good to be true, picked up Webster and the older Jeff.
Learnt by now that TNT rides don’t stay like this forever, it’s too good to be true. Something was about to happen and it did, “intimacy” was going to another level!
Lap two, past the 5 mile mark, we spotted a tri-bike ahead – lone cyclist in a plain maroon jersey, doing about 23 mph. Lili was pacing and behind her Randy indicated to reel him in, slowly but steadily. Lili brought the pace up bit by bit, connected and then opened, just before.
Start of the 3rd lap and Randy jumped and passed ‘maroon jersey’, I jumped on to his wheel and all followed. Pace up to 25 mph, we achieved our goal and were ahead – Randy was surprisingly spinning on his small plate, certainly above 100 rpm, eccentric chain-ring to-boot. Randy opened and I continued at 23 mph.
Then, it happened…
As Randy moved to the back of the pace line, ‘Maroon’ counter attacked. Webster shouted for me to close, I dropped a gear and off saddled, Webster was faster and caught, I was third in line, I looked behind and Randy was on my wheel – did not see any other riders – a gap had opened on the remaining TNT teammates! I felt for sure some like Lili were hurting, having worked hard before this all happened. We were traveling at 26/27 mph, moving fast, no letting up. Next we encountered some slower moving cyclists on the track, this was the break in speed the chasing TNT bunch needed and they were alongside, Pete leading. Traffic, bit of disorder and another attack! Maroon was off again, we were on his wheel and chasing – this time around all of us were intact. The pace was hot, 26/27/28, steady, corners were tricky to navigate, but we held our line tight. Approaching the sharp corner after Morris Bridge my legs were blowing up, rather than shut down I indicated to Jeff I was coming out and eased up for him to fit in. Dropped around the 5 mile mark. Heard after the pace was even higher nearing the end, Lili, Jeff and Webster turned off at the end. Randy and Pete continued for a fourth, Randy had to collect a dropped water bottle.
In the end an amazing ride (or “race”). Thanks to Randy for coming to my assistance with the jumper cable.
Sunday 09-18-2011
Pete, Jeff, Howard, Lili, Adam and Roger.
Nice morning, bit cloudy. Most looking a bit jaded from the day before. Pace was easy and steady. Passed our ‘hybrid’ buddy but he did not join this time ? We were moving comfortably until the wind picked up – strong headwind from the East, grinding us down to 20/21 going up and pushing us to 23/24 after the turn at Morris Bridge intersection. Poor Adam felt the brunt of this as he was handed the lead position into the wind each lap – nice gift for him having missed the day before.
This was a good recovery ride, no drama. I don’t believe those from yesterday felt settled, I was uncomfortable but stuck with it for 3 laps. Jeff and I turned off and the others continued for a 4th.
“All rides are good rides” Jeff said, “once we ride over the river it is always a good ride”.
On that note, have a good week, enjoy the football.
Roger
