Heat, Hills, Humidity, Head Winds

Saturday May 8th.

Assembled for the days ride included the following cyclists;

Kevin Smit – GOG (Glistening Older Gentleman) – Rode with the Stems

Theresa Smit – Mother Theresa

Steve Cope – Capn Carbon – riding his old school aluminum framed bike – rode with the Thorns

Phillip Burton – Rode with the Roses

Rob Robertson – sporting a brand new jersey. A Falstaff beer jersey to compete with the other beer jerseys and to show respect for the King of Generic Beers. – Rob rode with the Thorns until Jettisoned late in the ride by the group.

Jim Coughlin – new rider to the group – rode strong with the Stems

Ron Clanton – on the tandem with his wife – they rode with the Roses

Tracy Clanton – providing all the power for the tandem team

Sandy Parrish – first time with the group - riding with the Stems

Shea Beacham – rode with the Roses

Harlan Alan – back with the group after 2 or 3 years – rode strong with the Stems

Shawn Richardson – The Green Flash – on his road bike – pushed the pace all day with the Thorns.

Barb Hartsfield – first ride of the season with the group - rode with the Roses

Jay Brainard – Led the Roses on a great ride.

Tom Gaither – First time with the group – rode with the Roses.

Gina Hicks – Rode with the Roses

Michelle Duff – Rode with the Roses

June Bennett – first time with the group – rode with the Stems

David Bridenbaugh – Mr. Bridenbaugh – rode with the Thorns until he was jettisoned late in the ride.

Tom Plant – back with the group and looking forward to more of the weekend rides – rode strong with the Stems – did a great deal of the work at the front of the pace line. His pedaling style is slow and powerful just like the power stroke of a Cummings diesel engine. From this day on Tom will be known as POWER STROKER.

Laura Spell – rode very strong with the stems – led some of the draft line efforts.

Joe Pittman – Immortal Man – rode with the Thorns

Jessica Holland – first time with the group – rode hard with the Stems.

Lee Duncan – ON A BRAND NEW CARBON Cervelo. Lee had been riding old school steel with fat tires and was able to abuse the Thorns regularly. He is now more deadly than ever. As he passes and explodes out past the front of a pace line the pressure generated when he cracks the sound barrier almost nocks other cyclists off their bikes. From this day forward Lee will be known as SONIC BOOM.

Angie Magdelena – rode with the Stems

Doug Augustine – Rumble Strip – had one of his longest rides of the season with the stems

Shiela Augustine – first ride with the group this season - rode with the Roses

Beth Gonzalez – first ride with the group this season – rose with the Roses.

A great turn out for the days ride. The best behaved ride group of the season as all riders fell into one of the three groups and worked together to stay together in those groups.

GOG provided a brief introduction to the first time riders. He also provided guidance to the Thorns and the stems as to where the days ride would take them. Jay informed the Roses that she had a relatively flat 30 mile route with an expected average speed of around 14 mph.

The pack was let out of the parking lot by the Green Flash. GOG paused in the parking lot to ensure all riders were good to go. Just as he was prepping to push forward Gina Hicks informed him that her chain had come off the front chain rings. GOG quickly assisted her in getting the chain back on and the two headed out of the parking lot to catch the others before they reached the Preston neighborhood.

The line of cyclists was impressive to view as they stretched out on the quite neighborhood roads. The Thorns and Stems held together as they swept thru the round-about and then turned towards High House and the roads that would take them into and then beyond Apex. GOG expected the first separation of the Thorns and Stems to take place at the top of the first major climb. The Thorns cannot resist attacking each other on a hill. In anticipation GOG slid slowly backwards in the draft line to warn the newer riders that that first attack of the day was about to take place. “You can participate, or do as I do and just wave goodbye to the Thorns” he was heard advising the others. Sure enough just before the bottom of the hill, on Jenks Carpenter Road, the Thorns were seen all jumping out of their saddles in an attempt to add rpms and associated speed to enhance the momentum already gained by them from the previous down hill run. The Gap between the THORNS and Stems was instantaneous as the Thorns Attacked and the Stems each planned their own response to the pressure being applied by gravity as the hill rose in front of them.

The Thorns paused long enough at the top to seek confirmation from GOG that the next turn would be left onto Holt and then to Old Salem, and then onto the race track of Tingen. We will call that stretch of road on Tingen as TINGEN SALT FLATs. Just like the Bonneville Salt Flats were speed enthusiasts go to see how fast they can go on a long straight away, and then have hills in the distance to help slow down a run away engine. http://www.saltflats.com

The Thorns did not hesitate to jump onto Holt and readied themselves for the run down Tingen. The Stems trickled on in to the top of the previous climb and allowed all others to gather there prior to making the left turn onto Holt. The Stems stayed in a nice tight pack as Tom Plant (Power Stroker) pulled from the front and did so with such smooth strokes that he did not shatter the gaps between each of those in tow. The pack was all together as they prepared to roll into apex. At the light just out side Apex Kevin (GOG) used the opportunity to remind all the cyclists that Apex has no problem writing tickets to bicyclists who do not stop at all stop signs, or who ride more than two abreast. The bunch of Stems did not have a specific leader as they each delicately maneuvered thru the town of Apex. At the turn onto Tingen SALT FLATS the Stems formed a very well organized draft line in anticipation of the speeds about to be attempted on that section of road. IT was POWER STROKER who once again set up the draft line as he slowly accelerated with all others tightly aligned behind him. He pulled everyone along slowly building from a near dead stop to speeds of 23 mph. Then pulling out wide Power Stroker handed the pull position off to Harlan Alan who did a marvelous job of gradually taking the pace up to and just beyond 25 mph. He held that pull position into the curve and the start of the rolling hills that signal the end of TINGEN SALT FLATS and the beginning of Woods Creek Road. It was there that Laura Spell took the pull position and maintained it beautifully until she was over taken by Kevin (GOG) who was gaining speed on the down hills as a result of his larger MASS. The hills on Woods Creek splintered the Stems who finished that section of road only to find two groups waiting at the intersection of Woods Creek and Friendship. The Thorns were there waiting as was the cycling group The Slow Spokes. The Slow Spokes were regrouping and resting. The Thorns were there just to make sure they knew the next set of turns that GOG had planned for the days ride.

“OK, what direction do we turn to get to Tody Goodwin” asked Capn Carbon. “Go right – the opposite that you did last Saturday when you rode by yourself” GOG informed Capn. “How far do we go before the turn onto Tody” Capn then asked. “I think about a mile and a half” replied GOG. “Its more like 5 miles to the turn onto Tody Godwin “ Immortal man chimed in to clarify. “Yea that sounds more like it” agreed GOG. “ Then the discussion turned to describe land marks to help Capn Carbon find the turn onto Tody Goodwin.

After that brief exchange both groups agreed to meet back up at the gas station on highway 64. The Thorns leapt into action as the Stems continued to rest and hydrate. They then gathered themselves up and coasted thru the left hand turn onto Friendship were they slowly fell into another draft line with POWER STROKER again at the front of the line. Just as the pace line got into rhythm they were briefly absorbed by the Slow Spokes who had left the last intersection only moments later. The pace line was now Slow Spokes and Stems. This remained until the next intersection. “OK, All Thorns and Roses we turn right here, Follow me” GOG instructed in his attempt to make sure each rider knew what group they were following. GOG was now at the front of the pace line and worked hard to maintain that spot, and making sure all made it to the next designated turn onto Tody Gooodwin. Just before the turn onto Tody Goodwin the pace line nearly clipped a large snake that was attempting to cross the road. “SNAKE” GOG shouted as he was past it before he could react. The Snake was Black and Gold/Yellow. Not sure what kind it was but GOG swears he heard it HISSSS “I will KISSSS the Sixth rider”. GOG quickly glanced in his mirror and counted helmets. The Sixth one in line was Laura Spell. GOG then watched her peddling strokes to see if the Snake indeed attempted to KISSS the Sixth in the pace line. To Laura’s quick thinking, or just plain luck her right foot was at the top of the peddling stroke as she rushed past the awaiting Snake.

GOG then directed the pack into the left turn and to a shady spot to regroup for the stems, once they were all on Tody Goodwin. A short rest in the shade of an old oak tree allowed the group to discuss the LARGE SNAKE that almost took out everyone, and to hydrate. What laid ahead of the pack included, more rolling hills, head wind, heat, humidity, rough pavement, and searing sunshine. All continued to straddle their bikes as they contemplated those next 5 to 7 miles till the rest stop at 64.

Then GOG slowly rolled away from the group signaling the rest was over, let’s get this done. Jim Coughlin was the first to roll past GOG and continued to hold the Pull position the entire length of Tody Goodwin. That stretch of road was uneventful as each rider focused on responding to the hills, head winds, and rough road that added a degree of difficulty at that point in the day’s ride.

The road ended as it meets Beaver Dam Road in a T intersection. Doug Augustine (Rumble Strip) then led the pace line from the T Intersection to the gas station rest stop at Highway 64, were they meet up with the THORNS and several other biking groups.

The Thorns were well rested and itching to head on out. Capn Carbon and GOG discussed several route options for the Thorns. They wanted at least 10 extra miles from the days planed route. Capn made a command decision that the Thorns would continue on Farrington all the way past the Lystra Gas Station and turn onto Stage coach, then 751, and then Okelly, and then loop back into Cary on Carpenter Fires Station. LOTS OF HILLS to challenge the Thorns. At that point Rob Robertson, Immortal Man, and Mr. Bridenbaugh made it known that they would turn at Holland Chapel and stay with the day’s planned route, however they would continue to ride with the Thorns until that point. GOG was at that point starting to spiral down into one of his famous BONKS. He was getting light headed and had to sit down in the shade to keep from passing out. He had already procured extra cold water from the gas station and was now trying to consume as much as he could in between dizzy spells. The rest of the Stems were either visiting the porta Potty, or inline in the store buying water and items to assist in any form of energy boost.

GOG slowly recovered and was able to say goodbye to the Thorns as they scrambled to jump into the pace line of CSH as it had just arrived at the stop light. When riding with the Thorns it is always advisable to be prepared to respond without warning to an attack, the turning of a green light, the sudden arrival of pace line to jump in with, and always expect the pace to quicken if there is a lone rider spotted in the distance.

The Stems were now gathering for their last 15 – 20 miles back to the start finish. “I am going to flatten out the last several miles, I do not have more hills in me” announced GOG. “We vote for that as well” was the response from the Stems. GOG then added , “Ok, we will turn at Holland Chapel, go by the strawberry patch, turn onto Green Hope High road, and then walk over the rail road tracks at the high school” Laura asked “Have you ever gotten in trouble crossing the tracks?”. GOG replied “Nope, not yet”.

Across Highway 64 and down the road on Farrington the Stems rode in single file. GOG was in the Pull position in an attempt to announce his full recovery for the earlier BONK. In reality the Pull Position affords GOG the ability to control the speed so that he is not dropped by the pack. It was Jim again who charged past GOG on the hill just before the turn onto Holland Chapel. GOG had to gather up strength to shout up ahead to Jim to make the next right turn. All the Stems swung safely onto Holland Chapel slowing long enough to regroup. It is almost without fail that this section of road Known as “Waffle Run” generates either a fast pace, or a more relaxed pace with lots of chatter between the rider. On this ride “Waffle Run” produced a more relaxed pace with lots of Chatter.

How did Holland Chapel get the knick name “Waffle Run”? Several years ago, on that road, the pack was pulled along at neck breaking speeds by Doug Augustine (Rumble Strip). There was no CHIT CHAT as everyone was using all oxygen to survive the blistering pace demanded by Doug. Upon completion of that section of road GOG asked Doug “What possessed you to ride that so hard”? Doug replied “Sheila made me giant Waffles for breakfast and I eat two”. Doug’s breakfast of Giant waffles provide the energy to push the pace the entire length of that road, and from that day on it is known as “WAFFLE RUN”.

The group navigated a slow right hand turn, a lane change, and slow left hand turn as they were now gliding past the strawberry patch. Lots of folks were there picking their own strawberry’s.

The Stems fell in line to allow for the extra traffic in that area and to draft off of each other. Mother Theresa was beginning to fall off the back of the pace line as the group made their way to the end of Lewter Shop road. At that point GOG was asking Laura to share more information regarding her concern about the Rail Road Tracks at Green Hope High School. “Well I have heard of folks getting tickets, and the Inside Out group no longer cross them because of that. Now they go thru the Sears Farm Neighborhood.” she informed GOG. “COOL, YOU are now the ride leader, Take the pack in that way, I am going to fall back and make sure Mother Theresa does not ride alone” GOG said as he fell back towards the end of the draft line. The Stems were now in the capable hands of Laura Spell as she and the rest of the pack easily gapped GOG.

The hills in the Sears Farm Neighborhood came as a disappointment to all the riders after GOG had promised a flat finish to the days ride. On the fast run down High House GOG hit 31 mph. He knew of a large pot hole that would force him up against the curb, or into the middle of the lane. He was looking to position himself into the middle of the lane and was signaling to the trailing car that he wanted over. The car was not responding to his request. GOG looked closely in his mirror to see if the driver even noticed him. In close inspection GOG could see a lady on her cell phone engaged in a very animated conversation. Clearly she was not paying attention to her driving or anything beyond the point she was attempting to make on the cell phone. GOG had to make a quick last minute adjustment to dodge the pot hole. As the car skirted by GOG yelled out “GET OFF THE PHONE”. High House is a challenging road with lots of traffic in both directions that require constant situational awareness by the cyclists. This is most needed when making the left hand turn across all lanes into the parking lot below Brueggers.

Upon completion of the ride those that could afford some time all meet at Brueggers/caribou for food and beverage and chit chat. It was there that Rob Robertson shared the story of how he and David Bridenbaugh (Mr. Bridenbaugh) were Jettisoned by the Thorns only to limp home together with Mr. Bridenbaugh complaining about being wore out as he pulled Rob, and Immortal Man along at over 20 mph into the finish.

The Stems completed 43miles at 16.4 mph

The Roses completed 32 miles at 14.5

The Thorns completed 52 miles at 18.9 mph.

Here is the recap by Capn Carbon regarding the Thorns ride

OK… Here are the key points to remember about last Saturday’s Thorn’s ride from my perspective:

• Lee has purchased and is now riding an illegal bike as it weighs well below anything that a scale can measure

• Rob rode like a man possessed and rode with the breakaway Thorns all the way until Toddy Goodsomething road

• The Green Flash proved once again that he has Zero patience as he did not wait for ANYBODY including me after the lights coming through Apex

• Mr. Bridenbaugh had a very bad water management day and basically bonked by the time he hit the Wilsonville gas station. However, according to Rob, he still motored at close to 19 mph all the way in after complaining about being toasted!

• Immortal Man was rock solid and hammered like a mad man. He must be riding extra miles during the week!

• Lee rode like he was possessed. Must be the “new bike syndrome/high” that he is riding on. Just like the rest of us, he will certainly slow down once he gets the credit card bill for his new purchase!

• Green Flash, Lee, and Capn rode 52 miles at just a hair under 19 mph average. Would have been much faster except they were slowed early on by the GOG

Heat, Hills, Head winds, Humidity

Saturday May 8th.

Assembled for the days ride included the following cyclists; - Rode with the Stems

Kevin Smit – GOG (Glistening Older Gentleman) – Rode with the Stems

Theresa Smit – Mother Theresa

Steve Cope – Capn Carbon – riding his old school aluminum framed bike – rode with the Thorns

Phillip Burton – Rode with the Roses

Rob Robertson – sporting a brand new jersey. A Falstaff beer jersey to compete with the other beer jerseys and to show respect for the King of Generic Beers. – Rob rode with the Thorns until Jettisoned late in the ride by the group.

Jim Coughlin – new rider to the group – rode strong with the Stems

Ron Clanton – on the tandem with his wife – they rode with the Roses

Tracy Clanton – providing all the power for the tandem team

Sandy Parrish – first time with the group - riding with the Stems

Shea Beacham – rode with the Roses

Harlan Alan – back with the group after 2 or 3 years – rode strong with the Stems

Shawn Richardson – The Green Flash – on his road bike – pushed to pace all day with the Thorns.

Barb Hartsfield – first ride of the season with the group - rode with the Roses

Jay Brainard – Led the Roses on a great ride.

Tom Gaither – First time with the group – rode with the Roses.

Gina Hicks – Rode with the Roses

Michelle Duff – Rode with the Roses

June Bennett – first time with the group – rode with the Stems

David Bridenbaugh – Mr. Bridenbaugh – rode with the Thorns until he was jettisoned late in the ride.

Tom Plant – back with the group and looking forward to more of the weekend rides – rode strong with the Stems – did a great deal of the work at the front of the pace line. His pedaling style is slow and powerful just like the power stroke of a Cummings diesel engine. From this day on Tom will be known as POWER STROKER.

Laura Spell – rode very strong with the stems – led some of the draft line efforts.

Joe Pittman – Immortal Man – rode with the Thorns

Jessica Holland – first time with the group – rode hard with the Stems.

Lee Duncan – ON A BRAND NEW CARBON Cervelo. Lee had been riding old school steel with fat tires and was able to abuse the Thorns regularly. He is now more deadly than ever. As he passes and explodes out past the front of a pace line the pressure generated when he cracks the sound barrier almost nocks other cyclists off their bikes. From this day forward Lee will be known as SONIC BOOM.

Angie Magdelena – rode with the Stems

Doug Augustine – Rumble Strip – had one of his longest rides of the season with the stems

Shiela Augustine – first ride with the group this season - rode with the Roses

Beth Gonzalez – first ride with the group this season – rose with the Roses.

A great turn out for the days ride. The best behaved ride group of the season as all riders fell into one of the three groups and worked together to stay together in those groups.

GOG provided a brief introduction to the first time riders. He also provided guidance to the Thorns and the stems as to where the days ride would take them. Jay informed the Roses that she had a relatively flat 30 mile route with an expected average speed of around 14 mph.

The pack was let out of the parking lot by the Green Flash. GOG paused in the parking lot to ensure all riders were good to go. Just as he was prepping to push forward Gina Hicks informed him that her chain had come off the front chain rings. GOG quickly assisted her in getting the chain back on and the two headed out of the parking lot to catch the others before they reached the Preston neighborhood.

The line of cyclists was impressive to view as they stretched out on the quite neighborhood roads. The Thorns and Stems held together as they swept thru the round-about and then turned towards High House and the roads that would take them into and then beyond Apex. GOG expected the first separation of the Thorns and Stems to take place at the top of the first major climb. The Thorns cannot resist attacking each other on a hill. In anticipation GOG slide slowly backwards in the draft line to warn the newer riders that that first attack of the day was about to take place. “You can participate, or do as I do and just wave goodbye to the Thorns” he was heard advising the others. Sure enough just before the bottom of the hill, on Jenks Carpenter Road, the Thorns were seen all jumping out of their saddles in an attempt to add rpms and associated speed to enhance the momentum already gained by them from the previous down hill run. The Gap was instantaneous as the Stems each planned their own response to the pressure being applied by gravity as the hill rose in front of them.

The Thorns paused long enough at the top to seek confirmation from GOG that the next turn would be left onto Holt and then to Old Salem, and then onto the race track of Tingen. We will call that stretch of road on Tingen as TINGEN SALT FLATs. Just like the Bonneville Salt Flats were speed enthusiasts go to see how fast they can go on a long straight away, and then have hills in the distance to help slow down a run away engine. http://www.saltflats.com/

The Thorns did not hesitate to jump onto Holt and ready themselves for the run down Tingen. The Stems trickled in to the top of the previous climb and allowed all others to gather there prior to making the left turn onto Holt. The Stems stayed in a nice tight pack as Tom Plant (Power Stroker) pulled from the front and did so with such smooth strokes that he did not shatter the gaps between each of those in tow. The pack was all together as they prepared to roll into apex. At the light Kevin (GOG) used the opportunity to remind all the cyclists that Apex has no problem writing tickets to bicyclists who do not stop at all stop signs, or who ride more than two abreast. The bunch of Stems did not have a specific leader as they each delicately maneuvered thru the town of Apex. At the turn onto Tingen SALT FLATS the Stems formed a very well organized draft line in anticipation of the speeds about to be attempted on that section of road. IT was POWER STROKER who once again set up the draft line as he slowly accelerated with all others tightly aligned behind him. He pulled everyone along slowly building from a near dead stop to speeds of 23 mph. Then pulling out wide Power Stroker handed the pull position off to Harlan Alan who did a marvelous job of gradually taking the pace up to and just beyond 25 mph. He held that pull position into the curve and start of the rolling hills that signal the end of TINGEN SALT FLATS and the beginning of Woods Creek Road. It was there that Laura Spell to the pull position and maintained it beautifully until she was over taken by Kevin (GOG) who was gaining speed on the down hills as a result of his larger MASS. The hills on Woods Creek splintered the Stems who finished that section of road only to find two groups waiting at the intersection of Woods Creek and Friendship. The Thorns were there waiting as was the cycling group The Slow Spokes. The Slow Spokes were regrouping and resting. The Thorns were there just to make sure they knew the next set of turns that GOG had planned for the days ride.

“OK, what direction do we turn to get to Tody Goodwin” asked Capn Carbon. “Go right – the opposite that you did last Saturday when you rode by yourself” GOG informed Capn. “How far do we go before the turn onto Tody” Capn then asked. “I think about a mile and a half” replied GOG. “Its more like 5 miles to the turn onto Tody Godwin “ Immortal man chimed in to clarify. “Yea that sound more like it” agreed GOG. “ Then the discussion turned to describe land marks to help Capn Carbon find the turn onto Tody Goodwin.

After that brief exchange both groups agreed to meet back up at the gas station on highway 64. The Thorns leapt into action as the Stems continued to rest and hydrate. They then gathered themselves up and coasted thru the left hand turn onto Friendship were they slowly fell into another draft line with POWER STROKER again at the front of the line. Just as the pace line got into rhythm they were briefly absorbed by the Slow Spokes who had left the last intersection only moments later. The pace line was now Slow Spokes and Stems. This remained until the next intersection. “OK, All Thorns and Roses we turn right here, Follow me” GOG instructed in his attempt to make sure each rider knew what group they were following. GOG was now at the front of the pace line and worked hard to maintain that spot as he worked to make sure all made it to the next designated turn onto Tody Gooodwin. Just before the turn the pace line nearly clipped a large snake that was attempting to cross the road. “SNAKE” GOG shouted as he was past it before he could react. The Snake was Black and Gold/Yellow. Not sure what kind it was but GOG swears he heard it HISSSS “I will KISSSS the Sixth rider”. GOG quickly glanced in his mirror and counted helmets. The Sixth one in line was Laura Spell. GOG then watched her peddling strokes to see if the Snake indeed attempted to KISSS the Sixth in the pace line. To Laura’s quick thinking, or just plain luck her right foot was at the top of the peddling stroke as she rushed past the awaiting Snake.

GOG then directed the pack into the left turn and a shady spot to regroup for the stems, once they were on Tody Goodwin. A short rest in the shade of an old oak tree allowed the group to discuss the LARGE SNAKE that almost took out everyone, and to hydrate. What laid ahead of the pack included, more rolling hills, head wind, heat, humidity, rough pavement, and searing sunshine. All continued to straddle their bikes as they contemplated those next 5 to 7 miles till the rest stop at 64.

Then GOG slowly rolled away from the group signaling the rest was over, let’s get this done. Jim Coughlin was the first to roll past GOG and continued to hold the Pull position the entire length of Tody Goodwin. That stretch of road was uneventful as each rider focused on responding to the hills, head winds, and rough road that added a degree of difficulty at that point in the day’s ride.

The road ended as it meets Beaver Dam Road in a T intersection. Doug Augustine (Rumble Strip) then led the pace line from the T Intersection to the gas station rest stop at Highway 64, were they meet up with the THORNS and several other biking groups.

The Thorns were well rested and itching to head on out. Capn Carbon and GOG discussed several route options for the Thorns. They wanted at least 10 extra miles from the days planed route. Capn made a command decision that the Thorns would continue on Farrington all the way past the Lystra Gas Station and turn onto Stage coach, then 751, and then Okelly, and then loop back into Cary on Carpenter Fires Station. LOTS OF HILLS to challenge the Thorns. At that point Rob Robertson Immortal Man, and Mr. Bridenbaugh made it known that they would turn at Holland Chapel and stay with the day’s planned route, however they would continue to ride with the Thorns until that point. GOG was at that point starting to spiral down into one of his famous BONKS. He was getting light headed and had to sit down in the shade to keep from passing out. He had already procured extra cold water from the gas station and was now trying to consume as much as he could in between dizzy spells. The rest of the Stems were either visiting the porta Potty, or inline in the store buying water and items to assist in any form of energy boost.

GOG slowly recovered and was able to say goodbye to the Thorns as they scrambled to jump into the pace line of CSH as it had just arrived at the stop light. When riding with the Thorns it is always advisable to be prepared to respond without warning to an attack, the turning of a green light, the sudden arrival of pace line to jump in with, and always expect the pace to quicken if there is a lone rider spotted in the distance.

The Stems were now gathering for their last 15 – 20 miles back to the start finish. “I am going to flatten out the last several miles, I do not have more hills in me” announced GOG. “We vote for that as well” was the response from the Stems. GOG then added , “Ok, we will turn at Holland Chapel, go by the strawberry patch, turn onto Green Hope High road, and then walk over the rail road tracks at the high school” Laura asked “Have you ever gotten in trouble crossing the tracks?”. GOG replied “Nope, not yet”.

Across Highway 64 and down the road on Farrington the Stems rode in single file. GOG was in the Pull position in an attempt to announce his full recovery for the earlier BONK. In reality the Pull Position affords GOG the ability to control the speed so that he is not dropped by the pack. It was Jim again who charged past GOG on the hill just before the turn onto Holland Chapel. GOG had to gather up strength to shout up ahead to Jim to make the next right turn. All the Stems swung safely onto Holland Chapel slowing long enough to regroup. It is almost without fail that this section of road Known as “Waffle Run” generates either a fast pace, or a more relaxed pace with lots of chatter between the rider. On this ride “Waffle Run” produced a more relaxed pace with lots of Chatter.

How did Holland Chapel get the knick name “Waffle Run”? Several years ago, on that road, the pack was pulled along at neck breaking speeds by Doug Augustine (Rumble Strip). There was no CHIT CHAT as everyone was using all oxygen to survive the blistering pace demanded by Doug. Upon completion of that section of road GOG asked Doug “What possessed you to ride that so hard”? Doug replied “Sheila made me giant Waffles for breakfast and I eat two”. Doug’s breakfast of Giant waffles provide the energy to push the pace the entire length of that road, and from that day on it is known as “WAFFLE RUN”.

The group navigated a slow right hand turn a lane change and slow left hand turn as they were now gliding past the strawberry patch. Lots of folks were there picking their own strawberry’s.

The Stems fell in line to allow for the extra traffic in that area and to draft off of each other. Mother Theresa was beginning to fall off the back of the pace line as the group made their way to the end of Lewter Shop road. At that point GOG was asking Laura to share more information regarding her concern about the Rail Road Tracks at Green Hope High School. “Well I have heard of folks getting tickets, and the Inside Out group no longer cross them because of that. Now they go thru the Sears Farm Neighborhood.” she informed GOG. “COOL, YOU are now the ride leader, Take the pack in that way, I am going to fall back and make sure Mother Theresa does not ride alone” GOG said as he fell back towards the end of the draft line. The Stems were now in the capable hands of Laura Spell as she and the rest of the pack easily gapped GOG.

The hills in the Sears Farm Neighborhood came as a disappointment to all the riders after GOG had promised a flat finish to the days ride. On the fast run down High House GOG hit 31 mph. He knew of a large pot hole that would force him up against the curb, or into the middle of the lane. He was looking to position himself into the middle of the lane and was signaling to the trailing car that he wanted over. The car was not responding to his request. GOG looked closely in his mirror to see if the driver even noticed him. In close inspection GOG could see a lady on her cell phone engaged in a very animated conversation. Clearly she was not paying attention to her driving or anything beyond the point she was attempting to make on the cell phone. GOG had to make a quick last minute adjustment to dodge the pot hole. As the car skirted by GOG yelled out “GET OFF THE PHONE”. High House is a challenging road with lots of traffic in both directions that require constant situational awareness by the cyclists. This is most needed to make the left hand turn across all lanes into the parking lot below Brueggers.

Up completion of the ride those that could afford some time all meet at Brueggers/caribou for food and beverage and chit chat. It was there that Rob Robertson shared the story of how he and David Bridenbaugh (Mr. Bridenbaugh) were Jettisoned by the Thorns only to limp home together with Mr. Bridenbaugh complaining about being wore out as he pulled Rob along at over 20 mph into the finish.

The Stems completed 43miles at 16.4 mph

The Roses completed 32 miles at 14.5

The Thorns completed 52 miles at 18.9 mph.

Here is the recap by Capn Carbon regarding the Thorns ride

OK… Here are the key points to remember about last Saturday’s Thorn’s ride from my perspective:

· Lee has purchased and is now riding an illegal bike as it weighs well below anything that a scale can measure

· Rob rode like a man possessed and rode with the breakaway Thorns all the way until Toddy Goodsomething road

· The Green Flash proved once again that he has Zero patience as he did not wait for ANYBODY including me after the lights coming through Apex

· Mr. Bridenbaugh had a very bad water management day and basically bonked by the time he hit the Wilsonville gas station. However, according to Rob, he still motored at close to 19 mph all the way in after complaining about being toasted!

· Immortal Man was rock solid and hammered like a mad man. He must be riding extra miles during the week!

· Lee rode like he was possessed. Must be the “new bike syndrome/high” that he is riding on. Just like the rest of us, he will certainly slow down once he gets the credit card bill for his new purchase!

· Green Flash, Lee, and Capn rode 52 miles at just a hair under 19 mph average. Would have been much faster except they were slowed early on by the GOG

First weekend in May

Saturday May 1st.
Large group assembled for a ride that presented head winds, heat, humidity, and hills.
Those in attendance included:
Kevin Smit – GOG
Theresa Smit – Mother Theresa
Ron Clanton – Ron and Tracy rode their tandem and helped lead the ROSES.
Tracy Clanton
Jay Brainard – lead the ROSES on an interesting scenic ride, that included a paved section of the Tobacco Trail.
Rob Robertson
Phillip Burton – rode with the ROSES
Sarah Matejowsky
Emil Velasquez
Steve Sparano – Sporadic Steve – ended up riding with the ROSES – not his original intention however.
Tim Devinney – The Love Train
Lee Duncan
Jill Fitzgibbons
David Bridenbaugh – Mr. Bridenbaugh
Shawn Richardson – Killer Bee on his Fixed gear bike
Gina Hicks – first time riding with the group
Shae Beacham – first time riding with the group
Monica Catalano – first time riding with the group
Janice Sitzes – first time riding with the group – rode with the ROSES
Christy Miller – Pink Triassholette
Jeff Giordano – Claim Jumper
Kevin Goings – first time riding with the group
Brad Davis
Steve Marks
James Lavin
Patty Hunt
Lora Spell
Todd Pechner – Slow Todd
Christine Pechner

Those riding but not with the group included
Doug Augustine – Rumble strip – he tried to position himself on the route to jump in as the group went by. This would have worked if the pack rode the advertized route. A last minute decision to change the route at the start prevented Doug from being able to ride with the group. Sorry Doug.

Steve Cope - Capn Carbon. Arrived late. He did not read the email fully to see the earlier ride start. He did apparently read enough of the email to get an idea of the planned route. He took off late to chase the pack down. He took one wrong turn from the advertized route and ended up completing 50 miles solo on his fixed gear bike and finished ahead of the pack who only completed 37 miles.

OK so the ride started off with the pack suggesting the ride not go thru APEX as advertised due to the town celebration that was already underway. To avoid the potential traffic the decision was made to head away from Apex and more towards Durham.
Kevin accepted the suggestions to change the route and then announced “We will do Stage Coach”. Some of the regular riders (mostly the Thorns) nodded with both acceptance and understanding of were all would be headed.
After a brief welcome to the new riders and a short explanation of how the pack rides the group headed out of the parking lot. The first to head out was Sporadic Steve. He missed the very first turn and regrouped on the other side of the parking lot with the rest of the riders. All ready the group was chaotic. GOG was already racking his brain on how to control the pace with several strong riders itching to be turned loose, a large group of riders looking for a pack to ride with, and some riders already planning to short cut the ride due to time and training constraints. Not having cue sheets for the riders does make it a challenge to accommodate for all.

In his attempt to suggest a route Kevin had provided hints as to his plan for the days route in the email he had sent out days earlier. In doing so he did not research any issues that would be encountered such as the APEX Peak Celebration, or the closing of the bike path that parallels Green level. So maybe it is still best to make it up as they go. It does provide for a reason to stay together as a group, and also allows for flexibility of responding to challenges presented along the way, be they bike repair, rider fatigue, or road closings. So until something forces a change do not expect a Cue Sheet from this group. Just show up and expect to have a fun, safe, no drop, lots of Banter type ride, that also strives to provide something for all skills of riders.

The pack rolled out onto High House with several riders charging hard on up the road and forming a tight draft line as they then made the turn into the Preston Neighborhood. It was at that corner that Slow Todd and his Wife Christine were there waiting for the pack to arrive. These two riders had ridden from their home towards the start expecting to meet the pack on the way out.

Riders were already strung out for several blocks as they swept through the Preston Neighborhoods. Just at the base of the first small climb of the day the Love Train was yelling from the back of the pack that there was a flat. The Love Train had been riding with some of the new riders to welcome them into the Thorns and Roses when he detected one of the riders had a low back tire. GOG immediately announced he was slowing to assist. As he did so Jay and The ROSES went by. “I am taking the ROSES and going on” she announced. This was the first fracture of the group. Several of the Thorns were already way up the road, leaving GOG, The Love Train, and maybe a half dozen others to assist with the low tire. Both the rear and front tires were pumped up using a very small micro pump. It did not make sense to waist a CO2 cartridge to just top off the tires. Once tire inflation was completed the group headed towards the climb out of Preston and into the roundabout.

At this point GOG was expecting to lead this small band of bikers on the route that he had communicated to others at the start of the ride (the Stage Coach route). He and those with him were pleasantly surprised to see all but the ROSES waiting at the next stop sign. Once assembled the group then waited and waited and waited for the unexpected amount of traffic to clear for their turn. “IT is a make up day for School today”, someone in the pack announced. CRAP another unexpected situation.
Finally the road was clear and the pack made a slow left turn onto Lewis Stevens. Immediately the THORNS fell into a single file pace line. Some of the other riders stayed near the rear and allowed themselves to be gapped along with GOG. Others paused and then made the jump across the gap to the lead pace line. Within 500 yards the group came together again for an instant as the stop sign and traffic prevented the Thorns from attacking the turn onto “Ron’s Pull”. Once onto Ron’s Pull the Thorns assembled with others attempting to fall in line behind them. The Thorns clocked 27 mph on Ron’s Pull with others feeling good just to keep them insight as they pulled easily away from the pack.
GOG had pulled in line behind Jill Fitzgibbons and Kevin Goings and worked to maintain a tight gap on their rear wheels. The pace was strong and steady; the peddling style from Jill was hypnotic, as her cadence did not vary as they pulled the pack along up and down the rolling hills of Ron’s Pull. “You have a very smooth cadence” GOG shouted up to Jill.

The group was back together again at the next stop sign. “OK you know the route, you can turn the Thorns Loose whenever you want to” GOG instructed Killer Bee. The look on Killer Bee’s face suggested he had just been handed a mission he could not complete. “I don’t know the route” he mouthed back at GOG. “Mr. Bridendaugh you have the rains, take the Thorns with you when they are ready to be released” GOG said with confidence that the mission had been accepted by Mr. Bridenbaug.

GOG led the group away from Ron’s Pull and onto Carpenter Fire Station. Slowly the pace line formed with riders easily moving past GOG who was deliberately working to place himself into the middle of the pack. This spot would allow him the opportunity to monitor both the front of the group as well as keep an eye on the tail end of the pack. The rush along Carpenter Fire Station splintered the pack as expected, with GOG falling deliberately back towards the rear to ensure all were ok and to make sure those riding with the group for the first time would see that he is still in sight and for them to know the next turn. The Thorns were no longer interested in looking back as they rode on hard towards Yates store and the right turn towards O’Kelly. GOG knew once on O’Kelly the final split with the Thorns would be completed. The Thorns would attack every hill generating an insurmountable gap for all those less talented. The only chance to regroup with the Thorns would be if they waited long enough at the Lystra Gas station as they would likely debate the virtues of climbing Lystra and attacking each other on Big Woods.

At the turn from Yates Store onto O’Kelly the Thorns were circling waiting and anticipating their launching pad and anticipating which among them would be the one to light the fuse for them.
Just as GOG rolled up to the intersection the Thorns were off. Others just watched as the Thorns launched themselves into the next set of hills. After a short rest and a drink from the water bottles those remaining head out to meet the challenge of the hills on O’Kelly. “How can we short cut this ride, we are tapering for a triathlon and do not want to try and do the whole distance today” asked Jill.
“You can turn left at the end of O’Kelly onto 751 and go back to the strawberry patch ” Mother Theresa instructed. “Yea that will cut off at least 5 -7 miles” added GOG. “and that has the least amount of hills if you turn early at the gas station instead of going all the way to the strawberry patch” Mother Theresa informed.

Now into the hills of O’Kelly each rider was left to their own climbing skills and techniques. The hills acted as if a pair of hands pushing one rider forward and holding one rider back as if to say more space was required between riders.

At the top of the last climb on O’Kelly the Thorns and all others were surprisingly brought back together. Some of those who had been ridding with the Thorns and others who had been riding strong ahead of GOG were pointed back towards the direction just traveled. Other Thorns and Thorn want a be’s were poised to take off once GOG had arrived at the end of O’Kelly at 751. GOG waived good by to the Thorns as they quickly turned to head onto 751 and then Stage Coach. The others were headed back to Cary on the roads just traveled. “We all are racing and have other time constraints so we are headed back” announced the Pink Triassholete. “We are headed back also but are going to turn down 751 and back to the Strawberry patch” announced Jill Fitzgibbons. There were now 5 ride leaders. Fantastic. GOG can always count on others to take the lead and make sure no one rides alone. Thank You all.
Jay was leading the Roses. Mr. Bridenbaugh was leading the Thorns. Jill Fitzgibbons was leading a group to the strawberry patch. Pink Triassholete was leading a group on an out and back route. GOG was leading a group acting as sweeps for the Thorns. To the untrained eye it would appear the ride had collapsed into chaos when in fact the spirit of the ride lived on through the leadership of the others, and accommodated for the varied needs of those in attendance. GOG had lost control of who was riding with who, but he did have an account that all would have someone to ride with.

All the groups said their goodbyes and wishes for those racing to have a great experience.

GOG was now riding with Mother Theresa and Rob Robertson as they continued on the planed route towards Stage Coach and Lystra Gas Station. The three rode, with Mother Theresa bringing up the rear. They all sailed into the left hand turn onto Stage Coach off of hilly and heavily trafficked 751.
Just then GOG spotted a lone rider headed their way. It was the Love Train. He had pulled off the back of the Thorns and was circling back to check on the status of any others who may have fallen off the back of the Thorns. The Love Train is another of the regular riders with the Thorns and Roses who can be counted on to provide leadership and to help keep the spirit of a no drop ride alive. Now the sweep was 4 riders strong.

The group did not ride as a pack but rather spread themselves out along stage coach keeping each other in their sights as they rode to their own abilities. At the end of Stage Coach The Love Train, who had been riding strong up ahead, was seen catching up to Patty Hunt. Patty was at the end of Stage Coach and ready to make the left hand turn. The two of them knew where they were headed and The Love Train had already ensured GOG, Mother Theresa, and Rob were all accounted for. Patty and the Love Train hooked up and charged on ahead challenging each other to match or better the pace each was attempting to establish. GOG, Rob, and Mother Theresa continued their steady pace as they watched the two riders up ahead continue to pull away. Now onto Old Farrington the three trailing sweeps continued to push and respond to the head winds and hills. Rob was riding strong and pulled slowly away from GOG and Mother Theresa. He was caught as he waited at the next stop light. From there GOG set the pace to the gas station at Lystra were the Thorns were anxiously awaiting their arrival.

“Any one want to do Lystra” called out Mr. Bridenbaugh. It was nice of the Thorns to wait for the sweeps to arrive to allow them the option of climbing Lystra. It was also nice of them to wait and clue GOG into where the Thorns might be headed with out him. It was also nice to wait so that those Thorns not wanting to climb Lystra could join any of the Sweeps who also did not plan to climb Lystra. So as best GOG can remember those electing to climb Lystra included: Mr. Bridenbuagh, Killer Bee on his fixed gear bike (with no hand breaks), Slow Todd, Lee Duncan, and maybe others.
Those electing to head for home included: Claim Jumper, Patty Hunt, The Love Train, James Lavin, Steve marks, GOG, Rob Robertson, Mother Theresa, and maybe others. GOG was already starting to bonk and his memory does not serve him all that well anyway.

The two groups said their goodbyes with Mr. Bridenbaugh and his group expecting to climb Lystra and then push hard to catch GOG and his group before they could reach the parking lot at Brueggers.

The remaining pack headed home doing a good job of staying together down Farrington and to the turn onto Martha’s Chapel. It was on the long gradual climb up from Lake Jordan on Martha’s Chapel that splintered the group. James Lavin set a power pace, not falling below 19 mph, as he pulled those who could suck his rear wheel all the way back to 751 and the strawberry patch. “We will take the turn onto White Oak Church and then the left onto Green level all the way back into Cary” announced GOG as he told the others to go on rather than wait as he wanted to make sure Mother Theresa was OK. She and the Love Train rode Martha’s Chapel together. The group was now split into two with Claim Jumper, Patty, James, and Steve all powering on ahead, with Patty grumbling something under her breath about those D&#* hills on White Oak and Green Level.

Rob, The Love Train, Mother Theresa and GOG all rode together in no particular order or pace. The Love Train and GOG discussed the rear cluster noise coming from the Love Trains bike. It sounded like the bearings in the rear axel were shot and needed repair. This was the reason the Love Train elected NOT to climb Lystra. He feared the wheel would come unglued on the climb or worse on the potential 50 mph decent.

Just as they made the turn onto White Oak and head down into the trough of its hills they came upon Claim Jumper, James, and Steve as they were all helping Claim Jumper fix a flat. “Where is Patty did she go ahead” asked GOG. “NO she stayed straight on Leweter Shop and for home” replied Claim Jumper. The group had splintered yet again. Apparently no one went with her to make sure she did not ride alone. After the flat was repaired the pack headed off and up the climb on White Oak to the turn onto Green Level with its fast downhill and crushing uphill into the outskirts of Cary.

GOG, and Mother Theresa brought up the rear as they rode the last part of their 37 mile ride into the parking lot at Brueggers. There they were surprised to see Capn Carbon who was already back from his late start, solo, fixed gear, 50 mile ride. Apparently he went past Doug Augustine (Rumble Strip) so fast he did not recognize him as Doug was strategically waiting for the Thorns and Roses who were suppose to be headed out his way, for him to jump on with.

The best laid plans.
Hopefully all got out of this ride what they were looking for.
Hope to see you all out there again.
The Thorns almost most caught GOG and Mother Theresa who were headed into Brueggers as the Thorns were rolling into the parking lot.

The ROSES all complemented Jay for the route she elected to take them on. The route apparently included paved sections of the Tobacco trail as well as many of the roads regularly traveled by the cyclists. They covered 30 miles on thier days ride.

Sunday ride was attended by about a half dozen riders. Kevin and Theresa and several others were not in attendance as they elected to ride the HILLY, WINDY, HOT Raven Rock Ramble. A well organized ride that should be on everyone's choice for organized rides.