May 27th ride "Theresa rejects some riders"

Sunday May 27th Memorial weekend ride.

In attendance
Kevin and Theresa Smit
John Majikes and his wife Kim
Steve Cope
Coach Dotson

This was Kim’s first ride with the group. We do not know what John told her about the group or if she has read any of the ride recap write ups. We did sense that she was somewhat anxious about riding with the group. Theresa immediately stepped in to shield Kim from the likes of Cope, Coach , and Kevin. Theresa took charge announcing that she would lead the new rider on an enjoyable shortened and sanely paced Smell the Roses ride. This immediately put a smile on Kim’s face, and prompted the rest of the group to beg to join that group. Theresa immediately rejected the offer from Steve, Kevin , and Coach. She did grant permission to John to join the Smell the Roses on the days ride, but the other group needed to bug off.

She made this statement with such authority that we all cowered away to our respective bikes and readied them for the days ride.

Theresa’s group was vibrating with excitement and anticipation. The other group was sullen and dejected and struggled in their attempt to straddle their bikes for the days ride.

Off the two groups rode with the Smell the Roses taking extra time and effort to ensure each was totally prepared for the ride. The Testosterone riders took to the road with Coach leading the way. Very little chatter was heard as each rider struggled with the realization that they were not considered fit to ride with Theresa and her group.

Slowly they recovered as the cadence quickened from now fully warmed up leg muscles.
Kevin was setting the pace early by riding deliberately slow to see if the others would fall in line and allow him a day of recovery on the ride. This did not last long as both Steve and Coach would jump out in front to try and renew the pace. Kevin would fall in and draft as best he could. Not much draft to be gained. It is like a Semi Truck trying to draft a motor cycle. Both Steve and Coach provide such a narrow profile that no true draft is produced, and Kevin’s profile is much like the stature of a large Brick shaped Semi Truck pushing head long into the resistance provided even on a day with no wind. Oddly enough both Steve and Coach recognized their short comings and rode side by side shoulder to shoulder in an effort to produce a profile that would allow Kevin to drift back and forth behind them to find the small target that would produce some degree of draft.
The group did our standard 33 mile route in the counter Clockwise direction.
The group sensed that Kevin was challenged to draft and hold on for the ride. This pattern was only broken as we turned left from Martha Chapel onto Ferrington Road at Lake Jordan. This section of Road has always found Kevin taking the pull position and challenging the group to make the steady climb at 19 to 21 mph. This day was no different. Both Steve and Coach announced that this was Kevin’s section of Road and they pulled off to let Kevin take on that honored position of lead rider. Kevin responded by immediately setting the pace that did not fall below 18 mph on that section. This did take its toll and Kevin was forced to again fall into the minimal draft profile provided by the others as they made the turn onto Horton Pond. The group remained together on this stretch to the turn on 751 and then the left onto Luther. This is where Kevin always falls off the pack. Today was no different, and found Steve and Coach circling at the corner of Luther and Green Level to let Kevin fall into position for the next short stretch to the turn at Wimberly. At Wimberly the Steve and Coach again dropped Kevin on the long climb past the water treatment plant. Again they circled until Kevin made it to the turn at Jenks road. The pack again stayed together as they rode to the edge of Cary and the climb at Old Jenks Road. This is where Steve and Coach get the strong sent of the finish line. The gloves come off and the aggressive behaviors are at their most intense level.

Both attacked on the long down hill from Davis drive on High House only to be forced to loose that momentum at the light at the bottom of the hill. From there it becomes a scramble up the next rise and to the next stop light.
Just like a couple of high school aged boys in their Tricked, out shinny hub capped, spoiler adorned, 1993 Toyota Celica’s.

Theresa’s riders finished their ride having traveled 20 miles at a respectable pace that challenged and conquered upchuck hill.

We hope to see Kim join the group again. John is optional, and now has the challenge trying to decide which group he would ride with. None of the rest of us have that option.
We are not accepted in Theresa’s group.