Intervention needed for Steve Cope

Sunday June 7, 2009

Half the size of Saturday’s ride.
Those in attendance included:
Jae Brainard – She rode to the start and was only planning to ride a few miles with the group until she turned back for home.
Theresa Smit
Sheila Augustine
Doug Augustine
Steve Cope – “Capn Carbon”
Josh Carter – “Moving Violation”
Laura Spell
Tim Devinney – “The Love Train”
Tim Travitz – “Slow Tim”
Kevin Smit – “GOG”

And the following new riders to the group.
Debbie Mostek
Paul Eppers
Barbra Wedel
Tek Kornaga

Welcome new riders.

Prior to the day’s ride “GOG” had been given a request from “Moving Violation” and “Capn Carbon” to design the route so they could be on the way back and hook up with the CSH ride. They wanted to make contact with this group at the point where the CSH riders leave the Cary Glenn Neighborhood. It is at this spot that the CSH ride splits into two groups, the A group full of “Hammerheads” and the B group which rides more like the “Stems” on a good day.

So “GOG” considered this as well as the group’s make-up and elected to accommodate the “Thorns” request.

After brief introductions of everyone to the new riders and the explanation to the new riders how the group performs the NO DROP and still allow for periodic attacks by the “Thorns”. It was also at this time that “Cap’n Carbon” gave “The Love Train” grief for wearing a long sleeved shirt on the days ride.

Kevin announced that the day’s ride would cover about 35 miles and will in fact attempt to be headed back to the finish in time for the “Thorns” to peel off and jump in with the CSH ride as it heads out of Cary.
This may become the pattern for all Sunday rides from here on out. That way those who are looking for a recovery ride of about 35 miles can expect that, and those that want to get extra miles can ride the first 2/3rds of the ride with the “Thorns/stems and Roses” and then hook up with the CSH ride.

The group rolled out of the parking lot and headed for the Preston neighborhood. Theresa and Jae took the lead positions, as the newer cyclists were tentative in where they belonged in the pack. The pace was much more realistic compared to Saturday’s blistering start.

The group rode in a clump with no formal draft line forming until the turn onto “Ron’s Pull”. “Cap’n Carbon”, and “Moving Violation” did not have to hold back out of respect for Ron since he was not on the days ride. So those two leaped into action. “Slow Tim” and “the Love Train” knew what was about to unfold and fell into place behind the two lead cyclists. The newer riders were all riding together and had missed the original jump and were forming their own draft line. “GOG” was hoping to again assist Theresa, Sheila and anyone else, who wanted to suck his tire’ to press the pace as they made their way down “Ron’s Pull”. “Grab on” “GOG” shouted to Sheila as he made it clear they were going to attempt to jump the gap. Without hesitation she and Theresa, Laura, and Doug all fell in line as “GOG” began to slowly ramp up the pace. This small group of riders were able to jump the gap of the group ahead and then roll on past as they pushed to the front of that line. The cyclists were now in two groups rather than 3. Up a head Kevin could see that both “Moving Violation” and “Cap’n Carbon” had attacked the leading group and were now both off the front end attacking each other.

A brief pause at the end of “Ron’s Pull” allowed the riders to all regroup and prepare for the fast run along Carpenter Fire Station Road. During this stop “Cap’n Carbon” again asked “The Love Train” why he elected to wear a long sleeved shirt on the ride. “The Love Train” whispered back “because my domestic Bitch has not yet done the laundry”.

After a muffled chuckle by those close enough to hear the whispered response the pack was off onto Carpenter Fire Station road. This stretch of road seems to always produce a quick pace and at the same time keeps all riders in a nice tight single file draft line. Today was no exception as all just feel into place.

“Let’s head into the 3 ugly Sisters” was the navigational instructions provided to the group. This information is only valuable to those who have been riding with the “Thorns and Roses” long enough to know the nicknames of various sections of the routes they frequent.

The “Thorns” responded with proper left turn hand signals so others would understand what was about to take place. This also allowed the “Thorns” to mount another attack against each other as they then made the right turn into the Cary Glenn neighborhood and the 3 hills that lay in the way. Those trailing could only watch as “Cap’n Carbon”, “Moving Violation”, “Slow Tim”, and “The Love Train” all charged on ahead. The trailing riders were caught up in the frenzy as well, as each rider launched their own response that scattered the riders throughout the 3 hills of Cary Glenn. “GOG” held back to make sure the turns were navigated by all and then he too elected to mount an attack on himself. His effort shot him past all, falling just short of catching “Cap’n Carbon”, and “Moving Violation” who were now slowing down as they crested the last hill of the neighborhood. “GOG” felt good about his individual effort and smiled to himself.

The group paused again just long enough to all to gather to the exit point of Cary Glenn. Here the group would be directed to make a left turn followed by the right onto Luter Shop Road.
Luter Shop is a relatively flat 2 – 3 mile stretch of road with a “Sprint to the County Line” in the middle of the run.

Josh – “Moving Violation” was looking to take back his winning ways from Steve – “Cap’n Carbon” who had most recently taken the county line sprint victories.
“Moving Violation” elected to jump very very early. It was his plan to wear “Cap’n” out prior to the actual sprint. Josh is much younger than the seasoned racing veteran “Cap’n Carbon” and assumed the old man would not have the endurance to push early and then sprint. “Cap’n” tucked in behind Josh and sucked his rear wheel. Josh has not learned how to shake off a wheel sucker and continued to pull Steve along the entire run up to the sprint. Then with a crack of the whip the sprint was on and over just as quick. “Cap’n Carbon” was able to raise both hands in victory yet again.

“Wow that was a display of Wisdom over Youth” Laura announced to the pack who all had witnessed the event unfold in front of them.

Josh and Steve slowed enough for the peloton to absorb them. They used the next mile as a recovery period and to relive the sprint with others who were willing to listen.

The pack next made the move onto 751 long enough to travel to the left turn onto Martha’s Chapel.
Here again the “Thorns” all lined up for the race to Jordan Lake. “GOG” elected to hang with the “Stems” as he watched “The Love Train”, “Cap’n Carbon”, “Moving Violation”, and “Slow Tim” all set themselves up for the push to the lake.
Everyone else fell in line behind “GOG” to ride in a more comfortable 21 mph slipstream.

At the Lake the “Thorns” were found circling, as did Kevin and then each of the other “Stems” until all were gathered together once again. It was at this point that Theresa had made the discovery that many of the newer riders were also members of the Sir Walter Raleigh Hash House Harriers. Kevin and Theresa are old Hashers from way back having been members of the San Diego Hash House Harries for over 10 years prior to moving to NC, and then ran with the Sir Walter Hash for another 4 or more years after that. For those of you who do not know about the Hash it is a Drinking Club with a Running Problem. You can go to any major city in the world and find a Hash group. Kevin and Theresa have run with Hashes in France as well as Cities traveled in the US. If you are interested in this running club feel free to talk to Kevin or Theresa about the Hash and what makes it so much fun. After this bit of information was shared with the group about the newer riders “GOG” asked if everyone was ready for “Kevin’s Crawl”.

“GOG” lead out the pack making the left turn onto Farrington as he headed towards the gradual climb away from the lake and to the turn onto Holland Chapel. He began the pace at 17 mph in hopes of having as many folks as possible hang on, as he would then ramp up all the way through the climb.
17 became 19 then 20 then 21 then as he continued to pull through the last 1/3 of the climb Kevin was able to reach 23.7 mph. Looking in his mirror he could see he had gapped all but a few “Thorns” who were also now faltering. Reaching deeper Kevin wanted to push past 24 mph just as the climb got to its steepest point, only to crack himself and now was slowing back down to 21 and then 19 mph. “Cap’n Carbon” could smell the defeat in the rider ahead and used that to jump past those ahead of him and to instantly close the gap placing him squarely in the draft of Kevin’s rear wheel.
Kevin could sense he had just been tagged, and looking in his mirror all he saw was the large wide smile on “Cap’ns “ face. “I need to learn to hold on and push through a little longer”, Kevin Wheezed.
“YUP” was all “Cap’n” said with a hint of gleeful joy, as he again was able to prove his biking prowess.

The two lead riders were found by the pack circling at the left turn on Holland Chapel.
The pack slowed slightly allowing for recovery by “GOG” and to again roll through this section of the route as a group. The chitchat had increased, as the new riders to the group now felt more at home with the other riders.

By the end of Holland Chapel the “Thorns” had once again managed to walk away and were now already thru the turn at the strawberry patch and headed down Luter Shop towards their rendezvous spot with the CSH ride group. They would have one more race to the county line as they were now backtracking towards Cary Glenn.

As the Stems also were covering this same section of road “GOG” announced to the group that the County Line sprint lay just ahead. He then went on to spur both Theresa and Sheila into mounting an attack on one another. As he did this he set the stage for both to jump onto his rear wheel so he could lead them out. Sheila responded, Theresa grunted and looked as if she was willing to be prodded into an attack. It ended up being Sheila and “GOG” who made a run at the county line each racing against and imaginary opponent. It also appeared that Laura had made the jump as well and was also challenging herself to race against an invisible attacker to the county line.

The three each slowed in order to recover and to be pulled back into the peloton. As the Peloton closed in on Cary Glenn they recognized “Cap’n Carbon”’ who was already nipping at the heals of the A group CSH riders. “Teach them a Lesson” Kevin shouted to Steve as they passed by each other. Next the peloton recognized Josh, Tim Travitz, and Tim Devinney as now all the “Thorns” were on their extra miles riding now with the CSH group.

The “Stems” at full strength headed into the Cary Glenn and the same hills they took earlier heading out towards the Lake. The hills going back towards Cary thru this neighborhood are nicknamed “Nicole’s Roller Coaster”. Yes this section of road has two separate nicknames depending on what direction you are traveling.

Sheila was in the lead as all the pack tucked into a streamline downhill racer profile. Just at the bottom of the largest fastest longest downhill two little girls holding hands on roller blades were trying to traverse the road. The youngest became startled and turned back and fell in the middle of the road. Suddenly bikers were scattering in all directions to avoid the little scatters who know were crying and in panic of being run over.
It almost looked like Sheila was trying so hard to be first that she pushed the girls over in a desperate move to try and slow or block the trailing riders. ;-0

She would never do such a thing, although she has been getting a lot more aggressive on the bike. Just keep a close eye on Sheila from now on, especially if it looks like you might pass her on the bike.

All the riders avoided an accident by slowing and dodging the skaters with Theresa stopping to see if she could help the young skaters.
Eventually all made the transition thru “Nicole’s Roller Coaster” and onto Carpenter Fire Station road and the last few miles towards the end.

The pace picked up again at the turn onto Carpenter UpChurch, with this section of road known as “Captain’s Grave Yard”. Yes this is also known as “Ron’s Pull” when traveling in the opposite direction.

“Let’s take the back way home”, Theresa yelled to the front of the pack. Theresa was looking to finish the ride with extra hills, maybe the ride had not been enough of a challenge for this “Rose” turned “Stem”. The pack splintered with Kevin, Doug, and Laura all pulling away from the others.
The group assembled again at the left turn onto Lewis Stevens and the roads that lead into the Preston Neighborhoods. The pace remained under control as all were now working to cool down on these last 2 miles to the finish.
The “Stems” completed 35 miles at a 16 mph pace.

As “GOG” was finishing up stowing his bike he noticed “Capn Carbon” visiting with Paul, Barbra, and Debbie. “You turn back early?” was the question from Kevin to Steve.
“Nope, we rode realy realy hard.” “only 3 of us left standing once we lit it up at the Lake and headed back to Cary” was the reply from “Capn Carbon”.

Steve had ridden with the A group back to Lake Jordan and home in the time it took the “Stems” to finish their last 10 miles. Steve went on to explain that they were averaging well over 27 mph the entire way back from the lake. He also shared the fact that one of the other two who survived the pace back to town with him is a PROFFESIONAL BIKE RACER.

Steve’s next comment shows just how pathetic he has become.

“You know I really should go back out a get in some extra miles” “ I am comfortable with my speed work, but I feel I need more endurance” “Especially if I am going to kick it up a notch”.

“What are you needing to KICK it UP a Notch For” was Kevin’s next question.

“Well you know” was all Steve could think of.

(How sad how truly sad).
Steve needs our help.
Lets all please let him know that it is OK to relax a little and "SMELL THE ROSES" once in a while.

Just then the remaining “Thorns” (Josh, Tim D, and Tim T) all rolled into the parking lot having all ridden 45 miles with the last 20 being much faster than their first 15 with the “stems”.

There maybe the need for even more intervention.