Saturday September 26th (Patti Power) and Sunday the 27th

There are 2 write-ups of the day's rides - One from Dwight and one from Capn. You better get a big cup of coffee to read both of these!

Dwight's awesome perspective is posted on his blog site: http://go-moot-go.blogspot.com/


Capn's perspective is as follows:

When Capn arrived at the Caribou coffee shop at 7:30 for his morning nitro hit, there was Kelvin and Theresa which was an unexpected surprise. Jeff (Claim Jumper) was also there grabbing a quick bite and some needed rocket fuel. The mighty GOG and Mother Teresa paid a quick visit on their way up to CSH to join a large group participating in the Ride Across North Carolina. They were clearly very excited and could not wait to start their big adventure! After some brief meaningless chit/chat and a few hugs, the GOG and Mother Teresa said their final goodbyes and took off.

The parking lot was VERY thin today as most of the ride group must have looked at the weather forecast and BELIEVED it! The hard core group that came to play included: Nicole and her Mom Patti Melt, James (in full NC State red), Love Train, Jeff (not #6, not with the broken collar bone, not downhill racer, but AKA Claim Jumper and Sand Bagger), Paul Estes (first time rider who met us on the road a few weeks ago), Kim (back from a 10 day vacation in the Caribbean), Dwight, Andre (Dwight's friend visiting from Plano TX and now God Father to Dwight's kid), and Steve (Capn). Nicole rolled into the parking lot driving her family mini-van and Capn yelled out that she looked like a cute "soccer mom" which made Nicole blush. The weather was overcast, cool, and a little shaky looking but the group was determined to press on as there were no wimps present.

The Thorns (no Roses or Stems today!) rolled through Preston with the ever present banter breaking the silence of the sleepy neighborhoods. Early on, the group could see that Patty Melt had a determined look on her face and that she was all business today. She even had her daughter drive her to the coffee shop to conserve energy for the ride - nice! Capn pulled up next to Paul (new guy) and began explaining what was about to happen to him. Capn said that there is a stretch coming up called "Ron's Pull" and that whenever Ron is in the group, respect must be given and nobody can put their wheels ahead of his until at least the half-way point. Ron was a no-show so this was a non issue. Capn told Paul that he should feel free to attack at any time on the day's ride but to look over his shoulder as there would surely be others nipping at his heels. Capn went on to say there are all kinds of crazy rules, nicknames, and strategies that will unfold but most important was rule #6 - Never take yourself too seriously! Paul had never ridden with such a dysfunctional bike group but remained positive that he would enjoy the day. Kim was all full of stories from her vacation down in paradise and her first place 5K run against the island natives. The peloton rolled onto Ron's pull and as expected, the pace started escalating. Capn reminded everyone that there was $100 on the line at the end of the road where the pavement changes color. The pace continued ratcheting up but there were no early attacks. Then Dwight surged (likely trying to show-off for his friend Andre) which stirred up a response from Claim Jumper, Capn, and the Love Train. Back and forth the chase went until finally Dwight exploded from leaving too early and yielded and easy win for Capn.

GOG owes Capn $100.

At the end of the road, there was no need to wait long for a regroup as the entire pack of wolves were all together with Patty Melt driving the pace - WOW. This was such a relief for Capn as he typically has to wait forever for the GOG to catch-up at this point. A quick right, then left, cross 55, past the fire station and on toward Up Chuck hill. The peloton was once again reminded that there was $100 available at the top of Up Chuck which got Claim Jumper a bit excited. James and Claim Jumper attacked the downhill with Capn hot on their heels looking for some more cash. Everyone slowed to a crawl as the percent incline started heading up and lungs started burning. Capn and Claim Jumper finished together at the top in a friendly tie so GOG owes each $50. At the top, Capn did not go right but rather continued straight which caught everyone off-guard. As the group rolled on, Capn was yapping and totally missed the left turn that was necessary to head toward Cary Glenn. The group saw the dead-end ahead and grumbled at Capn for his poor ability to provide directions. A quick U-turn and then a right put the peloton back on track. Another right turn had the group heading right for the County Line and the much anticipated sprint for glory and another $100. Nicole and James jumped out into the lead and were hammering hard with everyone else scrambling to close the gap. Then out of nowhere, Jim Palistrant (Powered by Java and who did not start with the group) blew past the entire Thorns group with barely a hello. This greatly angered Capn who sprinted wide open to chase Java Man down and give him some well deserved lip! Jim and Capn snipped at each other as they approached the County Line when the Love Train came steaming past at a high rate of speed in the full aero position. Capn clicked down a few gears and gave it his best to catch the Love Train. Not possible as the Love Train won the sprint by the closest of margins.

GOG owes Love Train $100.

Down the road, past the strawberry patch, a quick right and then left onto some woman's chapel road. Once again, the group was reminded of the $100 available to the first person to the lake. This got the new guy Paul excited but not as much as James who apparently really wanted the cash. A major pace line formed after James who bolted to the front and the speeds started climbing to 25+ mph. You could see Patty Melt clinch her teeth as she pushed herself harder and harder in an attempt to beat her daughter and everyone else in the group. As the group got closer to the lake, James jumped out of his saddle and attempted to go for the glory. This got Capn motivated to drop the hammer which then drew the attention of Claim Jumper. Shortly after passing James, Capn looked over his shoulder and saw Claim Jumper in the big gear and hammering toward the finish line. No way anyone (not even Patti Melt) was going to catch the mighty Sand Bagger today.

GOG owes Jeff (not #6, not with the broken collar bone, not downhill racer) $100.

To Capn and Jeff's surprise, the entire group was right behind them and was in contention for the finishing sprint. No need to wait for the group to re-collect as they were all there! Nice job Nicole, Patty Melt, Kim and everyone else. This would have never happened if the mighty GOG were there as he is very slow and drags the group down. A right onto Farrington and up to the Lystra gas station for a well deserved break. In the parking lot, Capn disclosed his plans for the rest of the ride. He order the group to head toward Big Woods, then across the lake, and finally back to Cary. Then Dwight and others started talking to Andre (new guy from out of town) about big bad Cul-de-Lystra. To everyone's surprise, Patti Melt suggested the group head up Lystra and to skip Big Woods. The Love Train said no way as he hated that hill and others agreed. Patti Melt would not back down and insisted on the challenge! Capn had no choice but to agree and so directed the group to take the hill! Patti Power‼‼ While approaching the major hill, Capn suggested taking the spur off to the left which is at the false flat area half way up the climb. The spur has a short but major league steep climb that takes you to the top of the world. Only Claim Jumper and Nicole joined Capn as they eagerly took on the mighty spur. Everyone else climbed Lystra and then continued on to the 15/501 intersection to wait for the spur climbers. Andre easily climbed the locally famous Lystra and even did it on a vintage steel framed bike that Dwight has lent him. Nice job! Capn was not sure who won the climb up Lystra so the winner must report back so that the GOG can pay them the well deserved $100. The group re-formed on 15/501 and motored on toward Jack Bennett for the fun downhill. As expected, the Love Train could not be stopped as he coasted down the hill at well over 40 mph. Capn could hardly keep up with him by peddling in his biggest gear! Also, as expected, Sand Bagger (AKA Claim Jumper) was right there drafting behind the Love Train and coasted to a silver medal finish to the bottom. A right on Lystra took the peloton back to the gas station again and it was on this stretch that Claim Jumper and the new guy Paul broke away from the pack and easily won the race back to Farrington.

GOG owes $50 to both Claim Jumper and Paul.

hDown the hill, over the lake, and a left onto that woman's chapel road. Once again, a very fast pace line formed as the group cruised up the woman's chapel road. Near the top, Dwight's friend Andre hit the wall and had to back down. It was at this point that Capn yelled at Dwight for not giving his guest Andre the lightweight carbon bike that he was riding and instead gave him his old steel boat anchor for the day's ride. Dwight just brushed this comment off and said that Andre would be fine. Andre recovered nicely and the group set their sights on the prized County Line. As they approached the line, you could feel the excitement building and Capn began looking around to see who would make their move - Claim Jumper, Love Train, new guy Paul, maybe James who needed the money, or likely Patty Melt who was riding exceptional all day. Then it happened…. The Love Train pulled to the front just ahead of Capn and backed the pace down. Nicole pulled up just outside of Capn and pinned him in. Claim Jumper got right behind Capn and completed the trap. Capn was fenced‼‼! You could hear the laughter in the group and Capn then realized that he had been snookered. As the line got closer and closer, the new guy Paul and Claim Jumper could not take it any longer and bolted ahead for what they thought would be easy money. The well orchestrated trap began to fall apart and Capn broke loose. He sprinted hard and caught the imploding Paul (who left too soon) and JUST about caught Claim Jumper who ended up winning the $100 prize by less than a bike length.

GOG owes Claim Jumper $100 who better split these proceeds with the group!

Everyone laughed and laughed with their well executed plot, except Capn who was pissed: - ) A left followed by a right took the group through Nicole's Roller Coasters and then back toward 55. The final challenge was Capn's Graveyard which is same road as Ron's Pull but the opposite direction. Sand Bagger, the Love Train, and PATTI Melt broke away early and surprised the rest of the group. Nicole and James were sitting back in amazement at how well Patti rode for the day and were commenting to Capn about how far they have broken away. Capn woke up and realized that he was just about to get dropped on his own stretch of the road. Capn jumped out of the saddle and closed the gap. He finally got behind PATTI in the perfume draft position. Patti was right behind Claim Jumper and the Love Train who were wide open at this point. Just after passing the high school, Capn surged past the stubborn group and took the pace up to 28+ mph. In the end, Capn could not shake Claim Jumper who rode exceptionally strong even though he is a huge sand bagger and drafts all day looking for late day prizes. Not far behind was the Love Train and Patti POWER who totally dropped everyone else in the Thorns group including her Triathelete daughter Nicole and James. I am sure there was a lot of trash talking at the dinner table that night! Very fun ride and awesome weather despite the grim forecast. Exceptional job by everyone, especially Patti Melt. Kim was exhausted as she has not been on the bike for several weeks and was just glad to finish with the Thorns. Paul was strong but was still trying to figure out what was going on with this crazy ride group.

47 miles at 18.6 mph - Nice!


Sunday September 27th (No Ride – What, You Gotta Be Kidding Me?)

Capn arrived at the Bruggers at 7:30 sharp to only see Jeff (Claim Jumper, AKA Sand Bagger) arrive for some quick Joe. The weather was not good with some light rain but the forecast was for clearing skies. Everyone else bailed and slept in. Jeff decided he would rather swim and bolted to Life Time Fitness to do his swim thing. This left Capn thinking even less of Claim Jumper than before. Capn was left all alone and decided drink a second cup of coffee and then head up to join the CSH ride. Capn knew they were animals and would ride in any weather. He was right and a decent sized group was there ready to take on the wet roads. The weather eventually cleared Capn had a fun 35 mile ride with the CSH folks.



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