End of May first of June Rides

May 31 and June 1st.

In attendance on Saturday May 31st.
Theresa Smit
Tracy Clanton
Jae Brainard – crank arm destroyer
Sheila Augustine
Doug Augustine
Patty Sheila’s friend
Beth Gonzalis

Kevin Smit
Ron Clanton
Steve Cope
Tom Plant
Brain Farkas
Mr Bridenbaugh ( David ).
Todd Pechner was participating in an Olympic length Ironman and was not in attendance for the day’s ride.

Today’s ride had everyone participating in leading sections of the ride, even Steve Cope. Those leading the charge from the parking lot were Ron and Brian followed by Steve and Mr. Bridenbaugh and then Kevin and Tom. Kevin spent these first few miles explaining the various riders techniques, riding styles, and behaviors, to Tom. Kevin explained that Ron will always charge out of the gate and that Kevin is unable to match that pace early in the ride due to his need for a long slow warm-up. As the group rode thru the Preston Woods neighborhood Tom pointed down one of the streets letting the group know that he lives in that area. This results in a short ride for Tom to the start finish of the weekend rides. The group was not up for a long ride today so all elected to do the standard route that included Ron’s Pull, Up-Chuck, and Kevins-Crawl (section of road he tries to ride hard as the pack rides on Farrington road from Martha Chapel towards Horton’s Pond). So no surprises for the group and everyone was free to attack and harass at will. The group made the turn onto Ron’s Pull with a strong head wind keeping the group at bay. Steve jumped out in an effort to see if anyone else would fall for his trap. No one did, and he quickly rolled back to the back of the pack shaking his head in discuss that no one was up for the challenge.

Ron worked his way to the front of the draft line and all others tucked in tight behind him. With the strong head wind no one was willing to push Ron’s pace by their actions of slowly sliding along beside him expecting the usual surge to ratchet up the miles per hour. Instead of this normal response all riders were happy to let Ron set the pace unchallenged. Ron worked harder than any other time on this stretch due to his commitment to pull the pack against the steady gale force head winds. Everyone felt the work being provided by Ron as each was able to monitor the speed undulations’ registered with each hill and new gust of wind. No one wanted to feel the total pain Ron had subjected himself to on their behalf, so all remained in the single file draft line.
Once Rons’ Pull came to an end the group made the quick right and then left onto Fire Station Church Road. This section of Road always has several changes of pack leaders. It is a long stretch that has several narrow and then double lane sections with rolling hills scattered along its length. Today’s mix of ride leaders was no different. The first to jump into the lead to help pull was Steve Cope. This was so unusual that all riders had some form of comment that Steve was willing to do his share of the pulling. Behind Steve was Tom followed by Kevin, and then Brain, Mr. Bridenbaugh, and Ron. Steve was not in the front long before Kevin informed Tom that drafting Steve Cope was futile. Steve’s profile on the bike does little to block the wind for other riders. Tom seemed to instantly recognize this fact and pulled out wide to then charge past Steve to take the Lead Pull position. In doing this Tom pushed the pace increasing the mph by 3 or 4 miles an hour. Just like the chain reaction of a locomotive lunging forward with each trailing car being jerked forward the pack of bike riders each responded with a sudden surge to stay coupled with the draft created by the rider ahead. Tom pulled for a long stretched followed by Kevin who then gave up the lead to Mr. Bridenbaugh, Brain, and Steve Cope as all three prepared for the run down and then attack up on Up-Chuck. The remaining 3 riders all having pulled for long stretches were now left with the challenge of surviving Up- Chuck with tired legs, and elevated heart rates. They also wanted to remain in eye sight of the game that was about to unfold as the other 3 riders would attack the hill seeking to be the victor.
The show was one to remember.

Mr. Bridenbaugh carried the greatest momentum into the bottom 1/3 of the hill with Steve and Brain tucked in his slip stream. Steve was the first to jump and did so swinging wide to the left in an effort to block Brian from catapulting around him on the left. Just as Steve was about to cover the middle third of the hill Brian did catapult himself far left into the on-coming traffic lane. As he jumped into the oncoming traffic Brian also jumped out of the saddle throwing his bike wildly from side to side in an effort to disrupt any chance to draft him. Instantly Steve Cope sat back in the saddle and was seen fidgeting with his left cleat. Mr Bridenbaugh was next seen overtaking the now vanquished Steve. Once all riders had assembled at the top Steve informed the group that he had mechanical problems that had his left foot coming out of the peddles, at the most critical point in the climb.
Tom, Kevin, Ron, and Mr. Bridenbaugh all congratulated Brian on a brilliant attack and the first victory of the season against Steve Cope. Steve was now 0 for 1 on the days attacks. We have all been waiting to see who would school Steve this season, and it ended up being one of his oldest friends and bike racing competitors. Keep in mind that this is Brian’s third time on his bike in the last two years. Hmmm the angry chipmunk can be tamed.

The group continued with a right turn at the top of Up-Chuck. The rolling hills that lay ahead were perfect food for the riding style of Mr. Bridenbuagh. He deftly uses momentum and his locomotive peddling power to consume each of the rolling hills as if they were laid out for him to devour much like kernels of corn on a cob. Take them one row at a time and keep on rotating the cob until there is nothing left. This left all far behind except for Steve Cope who was barking at Mr. Bridenbaughs heals this entire undulating stretch of Road.
A left turn off of Mt. Pisgah had the group scattered into 4 clumps with Mr. Bridenbaugh and Steve far in the lead, followed by Tom and Brian, followed by Kevin, and then behind him was Ron. It took the full length of this next run to reassemble the group with all riders working in a recovery mode. A the turn onto Luter Shop Ron made the decision to turn left and head on back. His stellar pull early in the ride against the gale force wind had taken its toll. The group made sure he was ok and with his approval the remaining riders turned right towards the strawberry patch. The riders were now working again as a team to pick up the pace towards the next turn on 751. Within a half mile the Tom recognized another rider who was headed towards the group. Upon meeting he challenged the riders to reverse course and join the group. We learned that this rider like Tom was training for the upcoming Tour de Cure. He was planning on covering 75 miles for his day’s ride. The group informed him they were only planning to do about half that distance for the day. He introduced himself as Ravin and agreed to ride part of the days ride with the group.
A right turn on 751 and left onto Martha Chapel had Tom pulling the full length of this run. At Farrington the group made the left turn and started the run up the road known as “Kevin’s Crawl”. Ravin was in the lead with Brain, followed by Kevin, Steve, Mr. Bridenbaugh, and then Tom. As the road changed into a positive elevation Ravin fell off his pace putting Brian in the lead. Kevin was slowly pulling his rpm’s into optimal rhythm for his charge up this stretch of road. Kevin took the lead from Brian as the elevation continued to slowing increase. Steve Cope was right there nipping at his heals. Steve made sure Kevin knew he was there by trash talking Kevin’s riding skills the entire duration of Kevin’s pull.
The group made the left turn onto Horton Pond with a brief pause after the turn to allow for all to regroup. Ravin elected to continue on past the turn as he was now working towards his 75 mile goal. The group waited for Tom to be seen working towards the group. No Tom. At this point the group agreed to split up in an effort to find Tom.
Kevin and Mr. Bridenbaugh would continue on Horton Pond road. Steve and Brian would turn back down Farrington to try and find Tom. If they did not find him on that stretch they would turn right onto Holland Chapel expecting that Tom may have turned one road earlier. Holland Chapel parallel’s Horton Pond. At the end of each of these runs the group would gather at the Strawberry patch.

At the Strawberry patch the group reassembled and still no Tom. The group speculated that he may have turned back and followed Martha Chapel in an effort to retrace the day’s ride in reverse. With that the group set off down Luter Shop towards White Oak. They worked again as a team with Steve Cope providing a good deal of the lead effort. A turn onto White Oak had Steve, Mr. Bridenbaugh and Brian all setting up for the up hill climb and associated attack. Kevin knew the best he could do was watch from the rear to see who the victor would be. The attack started early on the down hill stretch as Mr. Bridenbaugh worked to ensure his momentum could be maximized on the early stage of the climb that lay ahead. The other two rides were tucked in so tight that they looked like one bike with three riders. Just as the momentum began to fade for Mr. Bridenbaugh the other two shot to the left to scramble on past. At that same moment Steve jumped out to the saddle with this left leg shooting out wide of the bike frame. Brian quickly took advantage again and hoped wide to the right to continue his acceleration. Mr. Bridenbaugh was very much still a part of the attack and he to powered past the angry Chipmunk. Kevin could only smile as Steve was heard again claiming that he had mechanical problems. Mr. Bridenbauh and Brian continued their attack “taking no prisoners” along the way. They did not back off until long after the climb only slowing to wait for the group at the next turn. Kevin and Steve finished the climb together and upon reaching the level section of road encountered the “Smell the Roses” riders heading down White Oak in the opposite direction. As the two groups passed they waved. In that group Kevin and Steve spied TOM. It was later learned that Tom and the “Smell the Roses” riders actually crossed paths twice before he decided to turn and join them on the rest of their ride. At that same time Steve Cope yelled to Tracy Clanton that the group had lost Ron. This generated an immediate reaction form Tracy who had to stop and call Ron to make sure he was OK. Steve is a trouble maker for sure. Once the “Testosterone” riders had assembled for the left turn onto Green Level Steve was telling everyone how his peddle system has failed him this entire day. Kevin pointed out to the group that when a rider kicks their heal in an outward motion the peddle system releases as it was designed to do. He then described what he witnessed during the more recent hill climb. “guys, I saw Steve kick his heal out to the left just as you two started to press the attack”. With that all the riders had some additional information to now Trash Talk Steve. Steve was now 0 for 3 on the days major attacks. A bad day of biking for the Chihuahua.

The ride continued down Green Level with a right onto Green Level Church and then the left onto the 4 mile bike path. This works as a great cool down for the end of the ride, and was the first time on this stretch of the ride for Brian Farkus. Once back onto the roads of Cary Steve and Brian continued their attack on each other. The last run down Cary Parkway had Brian and Steve shifting into the biggest gears, and spinning at well over 100 rpms as they pushed their bikes working to keep each others front wheel ahead of the other. At one point Brian had deliberately drifted far left forcing Steve to either brake and fall behind or drift left keeping the pressure on the attack. Steve being the animal he is continued the attack and drifted left into a UPS truck that saw what was taking place and slowed its speed to avoid the drag race that was unfolding just in front of it. Not sure if the UPS driver was putting his next scheduled delivery on hold to accommodate the game that was taking place at that moment. Just as the battle reached maximum velocity the two gladiators were forced to slide to a stop as the lights at Cary Parkway and High House announced a full stop for traffic in the direction of the two combatants and a full speed ahead for cross traffic. Steve and Brian had to ride the brakes hard with the momentum still forcing them into the intersection were each had to make a right turn to avoid any contact with traffic crossing their paths.
Giggling each one congratulated the other in the efforts to take the stage and in their abilities to avoid disaster at the end. “Boys”, Christy would have been heard saying if she was there.

The “Testosterone” riders covered 35 miles at a 16.2 mph pace.

Sunday June 1
In attendance.
Steve Cope
Jay Brainard with damaged crank arm reattached to the bottom bracket. (not sure how long it can continue to hold against her powerful peddling technique)
Theresa Smit
Kevin Smit
Tim Travitz arrived on his bike – after several weeks of missing the rides.
Tom Plant who also arrived on his bike (back for more punishment even after being abandoned on Saturdays ride).
The group was also joined by Ernest Davis who had not ridden with the group for over a year. Kevin and Theresa had run into Ernest and his wife the evening before. Kevin Trash Talked Ernest about his missing attendance and how he needs to get back on the road bike and off the mountain bike.
Ernest Trash Talked back about how Kevin’s Writing skills are 3rd grade level at best. He went on to say that he does not read the Blog for several reasons. The first was already mentioned, it frustrates him too much to have the English language, grammar, sentence and paragraph structures abused at the level Kevin produces. Second Ernest said he first looks to see if there is a sign off on the page without having to scroll down to find the ending of the article. Since that never happens he does not bother to waste his time on some long drawn out poorly written piece of information.
Lets all vote to have Ernest do the write ups so everyone can enjoy them without being tortured by Kevin’s attempts at literature.

The group was glad to see Ernest again and immediately made him feel welcomed by harassing him for being away so long.

Steve Cope explained to everyone in attendance that he had cleaned his peddle system and did not anticipate any further mechanical issues with them.
The group then reminded Steve not to kick his heals out during the steepest part of a climb. Steve was put on notice that everyone was ready to watch his attack to see if he continues to deliberately sabotage his efforts if it looks like he can not take the stage on an attack.
With everyone ready the group left the parking lot to begin their day’s ride and friendly banter. The “Testosterone” Riders elected to ride a reverse route towards Holt and Roberts road. This decision puts the hills at the early stages of the ride and allows for little warm up before the pace increases and the attacks begin. All the riders took turns again today leading from the front. Tom rode very strong the entire day with each turn at the pull he increased the average mph by 3 to 4 miles per hour. Everyone learned that Tim had been missing in action due to respiratory issues and long hours and/or days out of town on business. Steve’s peddle system behaved as if new holding him fast in place. Ernest road the strongest of all with long steady pulls from the front. He was there on each attack and appeared to be relaxed the entire ride (not fully challenged). Kevin road hard to keep with the group and by the half way mark was starting the early stages of a “bonk”.

The ride continued along Green Level with its succession of long climbs. The group held together through the turn onto Luther and formed a tight draft line during its length. This riding form also continued the entire length of Horton Pond. The group then charged down Farrington towards Martha Chapel. Once on Martha Chapel Tom elected to take the lead position and Pull the entire climb from Lake Jordan valley to the turn at 751. A solid effort that had all the rest doing their best to hold onto Tom’s powerful performance. A turn onto Luter Shop at the Strawberry patch had the group head for the finish about 12 or 13 miles away. Steve Cope and Ernest did the majority of the pull along this section. The group waved goodbye to Tim as they passed by his subdivision off of Yates store road. A left turn onto Green Hope High School road had the group again working as a team to finish the ride together. The cyclo-cross at the rail road tracks allowed for a brief respite from the bike seat as each rider would dismount and carry their bikes for a few yards. From this point the group only had 4 miles to the finish by wandering thru a shopping center and onto High House for that last push to the finish.

The “Testosterone” riders covered 30 miles at a 17.2 mph pace.
Ernest covered 36 miles due to his extra ride to and from the start to his home.
He will never know this since the article is far to long and poorly written for him to review.
We hope to see him on next weekends ride, and look forward to having his wife join the ride. She is a stronger rider than Ernest, she likes long distance rides in the Mountains. One Sick individual.