The ride that had Steve Cope with his head up Kevin’s A##.

Saturday July 7th found the Smits along with Ron Clanton and Steve Cope all pulling into Brugers in time for quick assembly of bikes and a short coffee and bagel. It appeared to the group as though Jay Brainard and Bieth Gonzoliz had already parked, unloaded and were on the roads trying to beat the heat. As the group was assembling a gentleman rode up on his bike looking for some one he had met before. Kevin quickly asked if he was here to ride with anyone. The group learned that this lone riders name was Frank and he had ridden on the 4th of July with one of the ladies who normally rides the smell the roses ride. Introductions were shared, Frank was welcomed into the group. As this was unfolding we saw Tim Travitz ride up to the group. Tim had ridden from home because he was going to have to pull off the ride early due to a prior commitment. The group was fully assembled. Theresa and Frank would make sure the smell the roses ride was completed. Kevin, Tim, Steve Cope, and Ron Clanton formed a tight group and off everyone went. The ride was a typical one with the smell the roses setting their pace early causing a large gap between the two groups. Ron and Steve rode side by side with Ron setting an early strong pace that only quickened as they rode past Green Hope High School, and continued to the corner leading to Up-Chuck Hill. Tim and Steve fell in line to attack the hill with Kevin and Ron struggling to figure out what gear ratio would help them today. Right turn at the top of Up-Chuck put the small pack on rolling hills with lots of road damage to dodge due to heavy construction vehicles. Left turn onto Mount Pisgah Church road after Steve faked going straight to see if he could pull anyone out of the pack leaving them with a gap that would take extra effort to catch up. The pack chuckled at this feeble attempt. Ron had his GPS dialed into today’s ride and was scratching his head trying to figure out why Steve thought the route went straight. I wonder if the Tour riders use GPS for any of the Stages of the race?
The group remained in tact as they turned to take the alternate route that led would lead them to Green Level Church and ultimately a very short ride on 751. This is much more relaxing to the nerves than the long pull and climb on 751 to Martha Chapel. The group rode well with no one attacking. The riders did not form a solid draft line but rather rode in a disorganized clump allowing for lots of chatter among the riders. The group turned right onto 751 and then the quick left to see the progress of the 60+ foot yacht that is being refurbished next to the Junipers. Again the pack never formed and had the constant shifting with each rider changing who they rode with. These changes changed as often as the subject matter of the chatter. Right turn onto Farrington had the group working to decide what distance they wanted to accomplish. Discussion led to an agreement of 50 Plus miles for the days ride. Tim knowing he had to get back let everyone know he would turn off at Martha Chapel only to ride hard to get home in time for his prior commitment. Steve Cope, Ron Clanton, and Kevin Smit all stayed straight on Farrington headed for Lystra and Big Woods. Ron had suggested that there was a parallel road to Lystra that the group needed to explore. Ron’s GPS validated that the road was there and tied into Big Woods. Following the GPS the group turned left off of Farrington just after crossing the bridge over Lake Jordan. All eyes were looking for a road that would lead over another bridge and intersect with Big Woods. The pace slowed as the group road into the parking lot and staging area for one of Lake Jordan’s boat ramps. No Road was discovered. The group speculated that the maps and GPS were showing an old road that had since been flooded when the Corps of Engineers built the lake. On out of the ramp and back onto Farrington the Three Amigo’s rode. A tight left turn at Lystra the group sweep on. Kevin saw a lone rider preparing to mount their bike at the gas station on that corner. Lystra unfolded in front of the group. Ron announced that Lystra is the longest and tallest climb in the 3 surrounding counties. The group all nodded having climbed Lystra last season a couple of times. They have not yet elected to accept that challenge this year. As the group closed in on the Corner at Big Woods Kevin spied a single riders working hard to close the gap between himself and the group ahead. Just as the 3 riders reached the turn at Big Woods the lone rider jumped into the group and asked permission to join. Steve Cope was the first to respond. “$5 to each rider to join”. It’s a deal was the reply from this lone rider. He assured the group that he was good for it and would put the check in the mail once he made it safely back home from the days ride. As this banter continued Steve and the new rider missed the left turn onto Big Woods. Ron’s GPS was whistling, and tooting, and banging, and buzzing with the announcement of the required left turn. Ron and Kevin made the turn with ease as Steve and the new rider had to pull up, slow, and perform a u-turn to finally align themselves with the next leg of the ride. This section would prove to be one of the swiftest. We also learned that the new rider knew Theresa Smit. He works for IBM and in fact Kevin had meet him a couple of times at various events that Theresa allowed him to attend. The lone riders name was Jim Palistrant, he proved to be a very strong rider. He and Steve Cope really hit it off both on the conversation level and the biking level. They set the pace on this 20 mile out and back stretch. They rode hard and talked non stop. Ron and Kevin took turns falling behind and then trying to catch. Back to the corner of Lystra and Farrington the group stopped at the gas station were Ron bought the group water to fill the empty water bottles. Each rider had been doing a good job of hydrating on the days ride as the temperature and humidity climbed well into the 90’s. Back on the bikes everyone was slow to get to speed due to the stiffening of leg muscles. Steve and Jim wanted to push the pace while Kevin and Ron wanted to enjoy the slow build-up to speed. The group splintered as Steve spotted a lone rider in the distance ahead. “Lets catch him’ Steve shouted with excitement. “Go ahead” Ron and Kevin responded in a low monotone.
Jim said nothing. He jumped out of the saddle and with several quick pumps of the bikes handle bars he sprung into the attack. This caught everyone by surprise. Steve looked around trying to absorb what just happened and then sprung into his chase of Jim. Jim had made a substantial break away that would take an effort from Steve to eliminate. Soon the two were working together to chase down the lone rider in the distance. Kevin and Ron continued at there respectable 21 mph pace and watched the battle up ahead unfold. Jim and Steve caught the lone rider as they crossed the bridge over Lake Jordan only to let him go at the turn of Martha Chapel road. It was hear the Jim elected to leave the group and continue his planned ride. The group was back to the 3 amigos as they began the gradual climb up Martha Chapel to 751. Once again Kevin saw a lone rider coming up from behind. This rider asked to join the group. “$5 to each rider” Cope again announced. “Forget it” this new rider announced. No introductions were made. We did no learn this rider’s name. Steve did strike up a conversation only after sizing up the rider and his machine. “I will bet you drop a lot of scratch for that Ride” Steve announced.
“Ten Grand” the rider announced. A custom Titanium Seven with Nikon pre-stretched cables in full pvc housings, and Zero Gravity Brakes the group was informed. “You must be a Brain Surgeon” Steve shot back. “My wife is I work for the State” the rider replied.
Once at the corner of Martha Chapel and 751 the group announced the right turn. “ I am going Left” announced the yet named $10k bike rider who works for the state.
It was back to the 3 amigos once again. The group stayed on 751 until the left turn onto Luther. The chit chat was much less known as the ride was well into 40+ miles having averaged close to 17 mph. Right rurn onto Green Level, right turn onto Wimberly. Long slow climb past the water treatment plant to the corner at Jenks. The ride on Jenks was smooth and steady even with the 50 mile mark close at hand. Each rider was thinking of that last climb up old Jenks towards High House. Kevin and Steve had rode on ahead with Ron still visable behind as the group approached the lights at High Way 54. Green light for Kevin and Steve. Will Ron make the light? Kevin slides on past the light Steve close to his rear wheel and off Kevin’s right shoulder, Ron still approaching the light. Kevin still ahead with Steve tucked close behind as they approach the left turn onto Holt. “Car Up” Kevin announced as he grabbed the brakes to slow. At that very moment Steve’s Front Tire protruded thru the space created between Kevin’s right leg and bike frame. Kevin had stopped peddling with his right foot at the top of the peddle stroke as he slowed for the on coming car. This allowed Steve’s tire to fit neatly in that small space created by Kevin’s right leg and his bike frame. “Crap” Steve was heard to say as he deftly lowered his head to help him balance his bike and absorb the impact of his momentum against a slower larger mass. His head placement not only helped him balance but also was the only body part he could call into action to help push off the mass that lay in front of him. Steve’s head placement was ideal he already had it lowered as he was looking back to see if Ron was going to make the light just as Steve’s tire passed between Kevin’s leg and bike frame . Steve’s head found a very soft and large area to absorb the impact. Kevin’s big Butt. Kevin simultaneously let up on the brakes to allow for both riders to continue with their momentum rather than stopping which would have resulted in a nasty crash for both. Kevin and Steve demonstrated solid bike handling skills with both making the sharp left hand turn. “Holey Crap” both said at the same time only to crack up laughing and congratulating each for a miraculous save. Ron made it safe though the intersection and the 3 amigos were once again a team. The Banter was now all about what the EMT’s accident report may have looked like. “Dispatch we have two bikers joined head to A##”. “What is the procedure to Separate?”
Kevin then said he could imagine that Steve would have made matters worse by turning his head to look around. The banter did not last long as the climb up old Jenks was just in front. Each made it to the top and rolled into the left hand turn toward High House.
Once on High House Steve again spun hard to sprint down the hill towards the bagel shop. Great ride covering 57 miles averaging 16 mph, with the group dynamics changing as riders dropped and joined and dropped. Also great bike handling skills were demonstrated on this ride.