MOB Rule and a hidden apology

Saturday June 6th.

A large crowd gathered for the day’s bike ride.
Kevin had to resort to writing down names of everyone that was in attendance. There would be no way he could remember later who all showed up.
Those in attendance riding with the “Roses” ;
Tracy Clanton
Jae Brainard – the ride leader for this group
Beth Gonzales
Lori Brogden
Ron Clanton – Started with the Thorns and did his obligatory Pull on “RON”S PULL” , maxing his heart rate at 189 then joined his wife to ride part of the route with the “Roses” (How Sweet).
Debra Hollis – Back on her bike after yet another crash – “Crash Test Dummy”
Michelle Causey
Tom Causey
Patti Lewis – “Patty Melt”

Those riding with the “Thorns/Stems”;
Steve Sparano – “Sporadic Sparano”
Steve Cope – “Capn Carbon” – the leader of the “Thorns”
Jeffery Roussel – “Down Hill Racer” - Most improved for this season
Steve Hamalainen (Ham for short) – Back with the group for the first time this season – he is getting in shape for RAGBRI
Eric Hamalainen (Ham for short) – first time riding with the group – came with his dad Steve
Josh Carter – “Moving Violation” - getting faster and faster - doing local races.
Taylor Wofford – first time for her riding with this group – Learned about it from “TriTodd”
Cameron Cooper – first time for him riding with this group – Nicole told him about the group
Rita Beard – first time with the group – Nicole told her about the group – She rode with out cleats.
Tim Travitz – “Slow Tim” – not anymore – he has been blistering the pavement with his speed on the bike.
Doug Augustine
Sheila Augustine – “Rose” working to be a “Thorn”
Don Zelna - new to the sport but already turning into a "Thorn"
Carrie Zelna - also new to the sport - a female version of "Cap'n Carbon"
Tim Devinney – “The Love Train” - also pushing the pace to splintering speeds
Ernest Davis - getting ready for Blood Sweat and Gears
John Majikes – was seen at the start but did not join the group until later on the road – left his shoes at home.
Donte Bergamascao – Friend of Ernest and used to work with Theresa Smit.
Theresa Smit – “Rose” working to become a “Thorn”
Jeff Giordano - another Hammer Head looking for others to punish
Willey (sorry can’t remember his last name) – rides normally with the Hammers heads in the Mello Vello group and with CSH.
Kevin Smit – “GOG” – ride leader of himself and any one that will follow.

So there you have it 31 cyclists, the largest turn out ever for this group. Now Kevin was faced with trying to design a route that would challenge the “Thorns” allow those who started out with the “Thorns” and then get dropped to be picked up by the “Stems”. And what abut the “ROSES”? Previously he had been given strong recommendations of making sure the group did LYSTRA since many are training for BLOOD SWEAT AND GEARS at the end of June. Jae had already said she would be happy to lead the “Roses” so that group was taken care off. Kevin also did not know the skill levels of many of the new or returning cyclists. Some were young wipper snappers from NC State, some veteran “Hammer Heads” from the Wednesday night Mello Vello rides. He also wanted to make sure that at least two of the “ROSES” were allowed to hang with the “Thorns” and “Stems” as they had made it known they are looking to step up the miles, and pace. How to please everyone was the challenge of the day.

“OK, today is a LYSTRA day”, bellowed Kevin, as he was ready to turn the pack loose onto the roads of Wake county. Nothing else was said as the pack immediate split into 4 groups even before leaving the parking lot. Theresa and Sheila were nowhere in Kevin’s mirror as he swung onto High House. How is he going to protect them and help them survive the “Thorns” when they are still back chit chatting with the “Roses”? Don’t they realize they put themselves at risk even before their first pedal stroke of the day? To make matters worse the “Thorns” were already charging hard towards the Preston neighborhood. Normally the pack remains together on High House with the lead riders holding back the pace to at least 13 – 15 mph. Today however the first group was shooting into the turn at Preston and Kevin was off the back of all the “Thorns” riding solo in no man’s land doing 17 mph just to survive what normally would be a short warm-up. As he rolled into Preston – Still no Theresa or Sheila. DAMN.
Kevin now had to make the call of holding way back to pick the two up in hopes of later catching the ever increasing pace of the lead group, or to close that gap now and ask everyone to cool their jets for awhile to let the gals tuck into the pack. He struggled with this dilemma for far too long as the “Thorns” made the turn onto Hogan’s Valley Way and the first climb of the day without regard to who or how many may be trailing. Hogan’s Valley was completed by the “Thorn’s” in record time. Kevin only saw the group as they raced through the green light across Davis drive and towards the round-about that then leads out into the county roads. Kevin hesitated at the light long enough to see the two ladies rolling into position at the intersection. Kevin yelled “Green Light” in an effort to jar the two into a short attack to make the intersection. Nope. They were still in the “Roses” mind set and stalled there allowing the light to turn red. Kevin knew this was a long red light and he wondered if the two trapped riders would think to push the walk button in an effort to shorten the duration of the red, or if they would risk jumping through the red light if no cars were coming. No time to wait and see, Kevin had to find away to get in front of the pack to deliberately reduce its momentum in hopes that the two trailing “Roses” could wakeup to the challenge they had placed on themselves. His only possible move was to sprint hard towards the round-about and then short cut it by turning left rather than right.
SUCCESS.
Kevin was able to jump the gap (by cheating) and was now squarely in the front of the freight train of 20 “Twitchy Thorns”.
No one noticed that Kevin had been in the back (out of sight) and was now in the front. The “Thorns” were in a completely different place than ever before. Little situational awareness, just an aggressive look in each of their eyes. Kevin had never seen this look so early in a ride before. He was confused as to why the group was so anxious to go fast so early, knowing they would be doing LYSTRA. Something was in the air, or maybe someone was egging them on. Kevin slowed his pace expecting the pack to respond to the Ride Leader. With in the blink of an eye the “Thorns” zoomed past and Kevin was all alone again riding solo in No Man’s land still looking in his mirror for the two “Roses” he was to help be initiated into the “Thorn’s”.
CRAP.
Kevin now worked to ride close enough to the “Thorns” to try and shout directions and yet slow enough to catch a glimpse of the two ladies. Doug Augustine had figured out what Kevin was attempting to do as he also fell off the pace to join Kevin in the dead zone.
The chit chat of the “Thorns” faded as they elected to turn right onto “RON’S PULL” without instructions to do so, and again without consideration of where everyone in the pack was. Kevin attempted to inform those ahead that he was going to wait for others who were trailing. The only folks who heard that were Steve and his son Eric who immediately pulled up to oblige.
The behavior of the other “Thorns“ at that point mimicked that of groups like the Mello Vello rides. Those rides are fun for a different reason than the intent of the “Thorns and Roses”. When you show up for a Mello Vello ride you expect to ride till you puke and then limp home on your own as best you can. At least that has been Kevin’s experience and is why he goes to those rides (plus the beer, food and friendship afterwards).
Kevin and Doug both turned back to see if they could spy Theresa and Sheila anywhere in the distance. Slowly out of the humid haze far in the distance came three riders(John Majikes had caught up with the ladies at Davis after having to drive back home to get his shoes) strolling along side by side as if 13 mph was the prescribed speed for the “Thorns”, who were actually at that point now charging down “Ron’s Pull” at well over 28 mph.
“We got caught at the light” Theresa informed Doug and Kevin with a comfortable smile on her face as if it was no big deal.

Didn’t these two gals know they had just put everyone’s life at risk (falling off the pace line is like being taken off of life support)? Didn’t they know that they now are asking for those that waited to now perform at Olympic levels just to possibly regain a spot with the “Thorn’s”? Didn’t they realize that their goal of riding with the “Thorns” had become Doug and Kevin’s only reason for living?

Well know everyone knows.

No words were spoken as the pace line formed behind Kevin. He was already wore out emotionally and mentally so there was little he could do physically to close the gap on the “Thorns”. The group made the run up “Ron’s Pull” at about 10 mph slower than the “Thorns”.

Just as Kevin was trying to determine how he lost control of the ride soooo early he noticed Ron Clanton circling back towards them. Is it possible that someone in the group ahead took a quick inventory to see if all were in tow after “Ron’s Pull”?

Yes there at the intersection was a large group of riders all well rested, eager to attack each other some more, each chit chatting in a joyful tone recounting the last few miles and the speeds attained.

Then suddenly there was dead silence from the group as “GOG” bellowed at them all (as best he could being short of breath).
Scolding the pack of riders as if they were children who had gone out of control on the schoolyard.

“ANY ONE WHO FEELS THE NEED TO CHARGE ON AHEAD WITH NO REGARD FOR THE PACK IS WELCOMED TO DO SO” “HAVE A NICE RIDE ON YOUR OWN”, “I AM COOL WITH THAT”, “HOWEVER THAT IS NOT THE SPIRIT OF THESE RIDES”. “GOG” was spitting out at that moment.

“What, did someone Crash?” was “Cap’n Carbon’s” honest concern.
“NO”, “We had two riders that got trapped at the light on Davis”, “An no one in the group took notice” was the short-winded reply by “GOG”.

“How come you are short of breath” was the rib by “Cap’n Carbon”.
The pack was shocked that “Cap’n Carbon” had the nerve to flip back at “GOG” who was clearly pissed as hell. (the truth is GOG was mad at himself for not clearly communicating at the start the objective of helping the two Roses become Thorns/Stems and that the pack was an integral part of that success).

“Because I am OLD, FAT, and OUT OF SHAPE” was “GOG’s” immediate rebuttal.

“GOG” now struggled with that fact that he clearly had demonstrated he had broken rule #6.
That rule states, “Never Take Yourself TOO seriously”.

The pack was z-Bottom of Form;z-Top of Form;HTML Markup;Comment;embolden by “Cap’n Carbon’s” appropriate ribbing of “GOG” resulting in lots of banter the rest of the day regarding each other’s SPIRT. This was mostly brought out when/if “GOG” rolled into and intersection ahead of anyone else. “Where are you going? – That is not in the SPRIT of these rides” he would hear from the pack.

What a start to a long hilly fast day.

Lesson learned with a group as dynamic as this one, the day’s objectives need to be fully communicated, or just let it unfold, as it will likely do anyway.

The pack now complete in numbers, minus Ron who continued to wait on all the Roses, traveled thru the light at 55 and Carpenter Fire Station. The pace line formed a serpentine structure as 20+ cyclists worked to share the busy two lane road. Kevin had positioned himself in the middle of the pace line to monitor both ends and to ensure Theresa and Sheila were tucked into the draft line. He was also level setting himself on how best to allow everyone to get what they were looking for with the days ride. He needed to accommodate the “Hammer Heads” who would want to continue to attack and press the pace. He needed to accommodate those who wanted to hold onto the “Hammer heads” for as long as possible and yet be assured they could fall back and find a pace and draft line to survive the last miles home. He wanted desperately to help Theresa and Sheila have the best experience on the toughest designed ride of the season for the group. Kevin had never produced a Cue sheet for the day’s ride. He generally has an idea of the route, or distance, or time he would like to introduce to the group. He then alters that based on who shows up and modifies the route on the fly based on how all riders are holding up. Normally Kevin is able to sometimes play with the ride leaders by letting them zoom past a turn (giving them the opportunity to race back and catch the pack who had turned behind them), or to not tell them of the turn forcing them to slow and rejoin the pack to then attack once thru the turn. This style of riding works well with a group that is verily evenly matched, and more intimate in size. This was not going to work on today’s ride. So taking all these new facts into consideration Kevin designed a compromise in his head.

As the group rolled towards the Yates Store intersection Kevin pushed to the front of the draft line and asked “Cap’n Carbon”, “Down Hill Racer”, and “Moving Violation” to circle the pack at the top of “UP CHUCK” until all had made the climb and the right turn at the top. With a nod all agreed to the plan.
Kevin then fell back to his spot in the middle of the draft line.

The attack on “Up Chuck” unfolded out of sight of Kevin. He can only report that it looked like “Cap’n Carbon” made the right turn at the top of the hill just ahead of everyone else.

Kevin arrived and was able to circle just one time before all “Thorns” and “Stems” had made the short but challenging “UP-CHUCK” hill.

“OK Cap’n, take your Thorns and turn em loose. We are planning to stay straight on this all the way to 751, then the left towards Martha’s Chapel and the fast run down it to Lake Jordan”. “You can wait there or go on right to the gas station at LYSTRA and Farrington”. “See you later” was the sendoff provided by “GOG”.
“We are going to do LYSTRA Right?” was the plea from “Cap’n Carbon” to “GOG”.
“GOG” flashed two fingers.
“Cap’n Carbon” looked confused so “GOG” tried to whisper back “we will do it twice”.
“Cap’n” leapt into the saddle, rounded up the troops and danced on down the road with all but “GOG”, Theresa, and Sheila in tow.
The two ladies did a great job on the rolling hills of New Hope Church Road reaching speeds of 21 mph.
Up ahead Doug Augustine and Ernest were both slowing to fall back and join this fast moving tail end of the “Thorns”. This small group now rode together all the way to the next meeting location as described by “GOG” earlier. They worked together up and down the hills maintaining 20+ mph average for the next 8 miles. The effort performed by the two ladies was consistent with the weaker “Thorns” and placed them squarely in the realm of a strong “STEM”.

As “GOG” and his small band of cyclists rolled into the gas station he could sense the “Thorns” were fully rested and up for the LYSTRA challenge.

“DID anyone buy water to top off bottles?” Kevin asked.
“I will get some” replied “Sporadic Steve Sparano”

While Steve went to fetch water for everyone Kevin took a poll to see how many in the group had never done LYSTRA. To his surprise there were at least a half dozen who had never taken the challenge.

“OK you have two choices, Sit and spin, or stand and grind, the hill is about 1 ½ miles of climbing with a false flat in the middle, and then another 3 miles of slight up all the way to 15/501”.

Then there was some side discussion between “Cap’n Carbon” and “GOG” on how to get the pack up the hill and to Big Woods while allowing for those who want to climb twice do so without scattering the pack too much. “Cap’n Carbon” recommended that those who want to climb twice do so by turning after the two steep sections, roll back down, make a u-turn and then climb all the way to 15/501 and everybody regroup there.

“Those looking to ascend the hill twice can go with Cap’n Carbon” “He is planning on climbing to the crest, turn and coast back down then u-Turn and climb it again all the way to 15/501”.

“GOOD LUCK EVERYONE”.

And with that the pack was quick to leave the parking lot, just as the “ROSES” were seen rolling in.
WOW they made great time “GOG” thought to himself as he too headed for the assent on LYSTRA.

Lystra’s climb does not take place right away. There is at least a two-mile stretch of road that hides the climb from view of the cyclist. Then as they make their way around a left hand bend the cyclists are greeted with a wall of black top. As Kevin rounded that corner he saw from afar a long string of cyclists that appeared much like a thin line of worker ants struggling to bring their new found booty back to the ant hill. As he rolled to the bottom of the climb Kevin remembered his advice given to others. Should he sit and spin, or stand and grind. He elected to sit and spin, so keeping rear derailleur aligned with his 3rd gear he attempted to dance on the peddles in an effort to increase the rpms as gravity began to play with his mass. “RATS” this spin thing will not last very long. 3rd gear became 2nd almost instantly. He found himself passing (crawling past) a couple of cyclists. He recognized a couple of them being Rita who you may remember is riding in tennis shoes and platform pedals. As he observed her riding style he realized she was still in the big chain ring on her front crank set. Next he struggled to pass and then be passed back by Taylor and then by Rita.

“I hate Youth” Kevin blurted as the two young ladies walked past him. Kevin then resisted, at least for the first half of the first rise, the temptation to go to granny gear. Just prior to the false flat he popped the chain into Granny – How demoralizing. He then found himself onto the false flat. OK if I stay in granny and spin for just a second or two I might recover enough to charge the second climb in a stiffer gear. Amazing what goes through ones head with lack of Oxygen.
Kevin looked up to check his heart rate monitor for a slight glimpse of a reduced heart rate, only to be met with the sight of “Cap’n Carbon” careening down the hill with “Moving Violation”, Cameron, and “Slow Tim” all in pursuit of “Cap’n”, and each tucked in a downhill racer profile . Others likely followed but Kevin had dropped his head in an effort to avoid the sight of the next wall of black top poised to taunt him even more. Kevin’s next move was to start an internal argument of whether or not he would join in the fun of LYSTRA DUO.

Shifting back into 2nd gear was a morale booster for Kevin, which also forced him out of the saddle to perform the stand and grind technique of hill climbing. Most riders would perform that skill in a much higher gear, but this was the best he could have hoped for at that moment. Then he sat, then he stood, then he sat, then he stood as he and his bike past the two young ladies again to met the crest of Lystra.

Without hesitation Kevin checked both ways for cars and then applying slight pressure on the handlebars he navigated a U-Turn. I can rest all the way to the bottom and then try this again hoping to stay out of granny gear this time, Kevin rationalized. On the way down Kevin saw out of the corner of his eye the “ROSES” who had apparently decided that LYSTRA was on the menu for them as well. They were a bit behind after stopping to “smell the roses” at the gas station. As Kevin turned back at the bottom towards the climb he recognized both Rita and Taylor had also made the decision for LYSTRA DUO. “Not enough of a challenge yet today Ladies?” Kevin asked knowingly.

The second climb was better than the first. Kevin slid past the “Roses”, who were recovering at the crest of the second climb. “Way to go ROSES”, he shouted with an encouraging ring. He and Taylor, and Rita all made their way to 15/501 and the awaiting pack. Without stopping to visit with the group Kevin rolled up to the stop light only to be heckled from the pack, “Where are you going? That’s not the SPIRIT of these rides”. Kevin could only shake his head knowing he deserved all the grief the pack wanted to pile on him for his earlier scolding episode.

Everyone joined him as the light changed and all 20 riders now onto 15/501 heading towards the left turn and long fast downhill of Jack Benett. “We are doing Big Woods” “We can reassemble at the end of that or at the turn from 64 onto Farrington” was the next set of details provided by the route designer, (no longer ride leader – that was lost in the parking lot at Brueggers).

As the pack closed in on the turn they saw Jea Brainard and Tracy Clanton who had elected to climb Jack Benett and then meet the Roses at the top of Lystra. “WOW” the “Roses” really stepped it up in distance, pace, and difficulty. Clearly there was something in the air making everyone perform at a higher level for the day. It was also along this short section of 15/501 that “Cap’n Carbon” informed “GOG” that on the second LYSTRA climb Cameron was riding side by side with “Cap’n” chatting about the trip across the US that “Cap’n” had completed. This amazed “Cap’n” that Cameron could ride so easily at his side, carrying on a conversation, and not be strained by the second assent of LYSTRA. We HATE YOUTH.

The charge down Jack Benett went smooth with traffic doing a fair job of mixing carefully with the bikers. Everyone made a fast sweeping turn onto Big Woods and its undulating hills. The “Thons” really worked to shred the pack on this favorite time trial stretch of road. Buy the time Kevin made it to the end of Big Woods the “Thorns” and “Stems” had fully formed into two groups. The “Thorns” had not waited and continued their attack of each other all the way up Highway 64 to the next gathering spot at Farrington. Those remaining with the “Thorns” included “Cap’n Carbon”, “the Love Train”, “Moving violation”, “Slow Tim”, Willey, Cameron, and Jeff.

The “Stems” now fully aware of survival in the pack worked to make the slow climb from Lake Jordan up highway 64 to the Wilsonville gas stations. “Down Hill Racer” was in the pull position and set a pace that splintered the pack into at least two groups.
The left at Farrington had the “Stems” making the turn while the “Thorns” were found chatting with other bikers who had stopped at the same gas station they did. It did not take long for “Cap’n” and his band of “Thorns” to pull up along side “GOG” and his stand of “STEMS” who were already setting a pace of 19 mph on Farrington. “We are taking Horton Pond, Green Level, and then the bike path on to the finish”, “ You take your group any way you want to on in” Kevin said formally releasing the “Thorns” to ride as hard for as long as they cared without having to wait on anyone else. There was now about 15 miles left until the end.

The “Stems” settled into two packs each riding to protect the individuals doing the group pace. Steve Ham (for short) was working hard to not get gapped off the back with “GOG” keeping him well in sight. Kevin asked the groups to hold up once they got to the end of Horton Pond just to make sure everyone made the next series of turns.
Once at Horton Pond and 751 Kevin was heard saying to Steve “ You picked the longest, fastest, hilliest ride this group has done all season to use as your inaugural bike ride of the season.” Steve Just smiled and then replied “It will be good for me if I survive it”.

And then the pack was off again onto Luther and its rolling hills.
Kevin made an early decision to throw as many hills into the days ride as possible in the 45 – 50 miles they had to work with, and the hills would not end until the last 5 miles of the ride.

The pack of “Stems” again split into two working groups as they traveled the length of Luther. They assembled once again in the “SPIRIT” of the ride to make sure all were safe and given a short rest before heading out onto the three remaining hills for the days ride, as they would travel down Green Level towards the county line and Cary.
There was almost a pile up as the lead riders in the group were having to dodge runners and other cyclists that were traversing the road from the Tobacco trail. In fact one or more of the groups riders may have thought that the bike trail they planned to take into the end was the Tobacco Trail. This was quickly corrected as “GOG” rolled on past those that had slowed and then charged up the last hill of the day.

The turn onto Green Level Church put the group within several feet of the bike path that would lead them home. John Majikes was in the lead and anxious to show all were to make the left turn as he raced into the turn, only to have to lock up his brakes. He overshot the turn missing the narrow passage between posts, and almost ran into the barricade that is in place to prevent cars from driving on the path. His near accident was a signal to all others to slow down and make an easy transition onto the bike path. It also signaled the need to remain slow and to share the path with walkers, families with strollers, dogs, small kids on bikes with training wheels, and joggers. The whole pack relaxed and enjoyed the 12 mile per hour pace saying hello and good morning to all they encountered. Kevin took a quick read on his odometer to see what the average pace had been for the first 40 miles, and noticed 17 mph as the average. That is fabulous for the distance and the number of hills presented in the day’s route. At one point on the bike path it travels thru a tunnel under Highway 55. It is in this tunnel that the young “SPIRIT” of the riders is expressed as each shouts at the top of their lungs a “Primordial Scream of the Conquer”. Everyone’s ears were ringing as they exited the other end of the tunnel, each having added to the decibel count. Everyone traversed the various narrow spots of the bike path without issue. Steve and his Son Eric pulled off the path as it passed within feet of their house. “Great Ride Guys, See you next weekend” as they waved and made their turn to home. The remaining navigational maneuvers had the pack leaving the path onto Davis drive then onto Waldo Rood where “Down Hill Racer” said his goodbye prior to the turn onto Cary Parkway. The pack rode safely down Cary Parkway and into the parking lot at Brueggers. The “Thorns” were already there having charged well ahead. They had elected to follow much of the same route however did not do the cool down on the bike path but rather continued to attack each other on additional hills of Wimberly, Jenks, Holt, and the ugly hill on Jenks Carpenter Road before turning onto High House and the downhill attack that always takes place there.

Comment from Sheila Augustine a "Rose" turned "Stem"
She recalls eariler letting the ride leader know of her desire to step it up but with a contraint.
Sheila was heard at the start saying
"I can't do 50 miles today - i have a time issue"

In the end she commented
"turns out we rode so fast 16-17 mph (not exact) that we were back in time!!
thanks "


So the major difference between the “Thorns” and the “Stems” are as follows:

The “Thorns” hate to wait
The “Thorns” love to attack
The “Thorns” must be controlled at the start of the ride or no one will ever see them until the end
The “Thorns” anticipate every green light, and will shoot through intersections timing their safe passage between cars, and assuming everyone else is looking out for themselves
The “Thorns” love hills and love to dance to the top as quick as possible
The “Thorns” only stop when “GOG” tells them to.
The “Thorns” take no prisoners
The “Thorns” keep score of who is first to the top, or the county line, or city limits
The “Thorns” will tolerate the “Stems” if they have to or until “GOG” turns them loose.
The “Thorns” will chitchat with everyone (only to judge how winded the others are so they can plan their attack against them)
The “Thorns” view 50 miles as a warm-up or recovery level ride.
The “Thorns” know during the ride how many watts they produce and how that is comparing with their heart rate
The “Thorns” never tire
The “Thorns” are plagued at the end of the ride thinking they need to do more miles.

The “Stems” all start out thinking they are “Thorns”
The “Stems” do not chit chat much (they are usually too winded)
The “Stems” are slower at the start of the ride
The “Stems” are not as quick to clip in and take off from stoplights
The “Stems” rarely recognize when an attack is being mounted
The “Stems” suck rear wheels for as long as possible, and as close as possible
The “Stems” fatigue with miles and speed being the contributing factors
The “Stems” accept hills as an element of a good ride and work to not fall below 9 mph on any climb other than LYSTRA.
The “Stems” need rest stops.
The “stems” usually ask each other at the end of the ride how far they went and what the pace was.
The “Stems” usually finish the ride 2 – 3 mph slower on average than the “Thorns” (who could have gone even faster but “GOG” didn’t turn them loose soon enough).
The “Stems” all feel great about their accomplishments and how much they continue to improve.

The “Roses” are consistent in their mission and objectives for riding.
The “Roses” love to start out riding at a pace that allows for casual conversation.
The “Roses” feel good just to be out in the fresh air and to be exercising
The “Roses” possess an untainted SPIRIT of the rides. To stay safe, enjoy each other’s company, and to not take it too seriously.

IT is the intent of these rides to support the goals and objectives of all who bless the group with their presence. We hope you all enjoy the rides and continue to make this a dynamic group and help each other improve to the levels desired.
Remember it is all about the banter and not about the bike.