Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

Two write-ups, one from Theresa Smit - Mother Theresa who writes from the perspective of the Stems/Roses.  The second write up is from Lee Duncan - Sonic Boom and is from the perspective of the Thorns.

Enjoy.....................

Those in attendance


Jen Serino - Slow Jen fizz
Don Zelna – Track Stand (birthday boy on the days ride)
Alise Cobb - popsicle
Deb Hollis - 2 saddles
Jeff Hoffert
Erica Mantcuso
Lee Duncan (Snotty Boomister) Theresa’s new name for you. I view you as still and always Sonic Boom
Paul Franklin
Kim Barker
Marianne Mahn - #1 in the bush
Shawn Rischardson - green flash... All Though he did ride his white FIXY which is associated with the nickname Desert Flower. He was sporting some brand new white tires as well. Theresa thought he looked more like the Abdominal Snowman with the white bike and his beard showing through all the layers of clothing.
Kiki Rodue – Twinkle Toes
Theresa Smit - Mother Theresa

write-up as presented by Mother Theresa

With a later start Brueggers was wall to wall and the group had to fight for chairs and table-space. There was a short gathering with the early birds who wondered “Where was the GOG?” Mother Theresa (MT) informed everyone that he was resting his back as it has been bugging him for well over a year and not getting any better! He will not see a doc in fear they will cut him open and fuse his neck rendering him unable to turn his head while biking. MT, ready to wring his neck anyway for not seeing a doc, assigned the group to each send an email to GOG this week with their recommendation on a doc, chiropractor, medicine man, physiatrist or other healing plan in hopes to convince him by numbers to get some medical advise!


MT told Sonic Boom (aka Snotty Boomister) and Slow Jen Fizz the 41 mile route that GOG had formulated in celebration of Don Zelna’s(Track Stand) B-day. With MT leading from the rear all 13 riders were off for a nice but chilling ride. Temp was around 35ish and the wind was starting to pick a bit, but the skies looked clear and the sunshine would quickly warm us up…. At least that was the plan.

As we turned onto Ron’s Pull our smiles were frozen to our faces but the rest of the body was just warming up. The Thorns were careful to stop at each corner to validate with MT the next directions to turn as she worked not to stray too far behind. However, Shawn (aka Green Flash, Killer Bee, Tarantula, Desert Flower) showed up with new rims/tires for his white fixie and anyone on a fixie goes fast but him on his new wheels, there was just no holding back. MT and a few others were soon lagging behind as we approached the right turn onto Yates Store (Del Webb development) to where the ‘old folks live’ as Snotty put it. There was a very brief regrouping before a left on to Old Kelly where the traffic picked up but seemed to be friendly today. At 751 the group paused for all to catch up and let MT review the remainder of the route. As the group turned right on 751, MT noticed the road crews had already been out to brine the roads in prep for the upcoming snow threat for Monday. At this point we were the furthest out on our route then … OMG what is that coming down, is that snow, it was not suppose to snow, not today. A few flakes, then it got more intense, we continued for just a bit… the Thorns were out of site. The snow was starting to stick and the sky looked like this was not going to pass very soon. Kim was close to home and the warmth of her house was calling her, so Paul lead the group back to get her home and then the rest of us planned to head back the shortest route back to the start. As we headed north the snow got lighter, but then we had to go back to 751 where conditions became blizzard like. MT had to wipe her sunglasses to get the sludge off so she could see. She was worried that Shawn with is new white rims would not be seen by drivers in whiteout conditions and hence came up with yet a new name for him… the Abominable Snowman.

Hands and feet were soaked and lacking feeling as we turned into a gas station at New Hope Church Rd. for a short warm up stop. All the sudden the snow stopped, clouds parted, and the sun began to emanate much needed warmth. Now this was more like it! The rag tag group with new energy turned towards the last few miles back to the start with a much more relaxed pace and attitude. The snow that had accumulated on our jackets and helmets started to drip like the Campbell’s soup commercial or a withering snowman. It felt nice for a few miles as the sun gave us some much earned warmth. MT could not recall in over 35 years of organized rides ever riding in snow let alone blizzard like conditions, this would defiantly be a ride to remember.

As we entered Preston the clouds returned and the temps dropped once again, “hope we get back before the snow starts flying again” commented MT. Just as we hit the parking lot GOG greeted the group to get the recap of the adventures. Within minutes the Thorns arrived recounting their version of the epic all seasons ride. Stems/Roses did about 36 and Thorns achieved the targeted 41 miles (happy b-day Track Stand). No averages as who cares we rode in freekin’ snow!

The days ride write-up from Lee Duncan - Sonic Boom.  The perspective from a Thorn.

Thorns account of Saturday's ride on 1/8/2011:


The Thorns were bundled up, but very excited and ready to go for Saturday's ride. The weather had been extremely erratic, wet and cold over the prior weeks. Most importantly, people were ready to get out and escape the presence of family / relatives from Holiday break. It didn't matter that there was a predicted snow storm within the last 24 hours or that the wind would be howling at sustained speeds of 20 mph+.

MT (Mother Theresa) started the day with providing instructions to a few people that were good with directions-- as well as Lee/Snotty Boomister (consistent nasal discharge). Shortly thereafter we were off.

The riders headed out on the traditional route through Cary and up, down and all around through Carpenter Firestation. It was amazing how composed the Thorns were during this portion of the ride with Desert Flower leading us through. All were behaving well until the route by Del Webb that sported a slight but consistent incline. The added discomfort made way for a chorus of complaining and unwell wishing over the holiday food assortment previously enjoyed. The group then stopped to coalesce and catch their breath.

After the pause, everyone went on towards 751, where the speed quickened and the hills grew more challenging -- Slow Jen Fizz declared that perhaps the road had been lengthened and the hills steepened since our last venture out this way. Which seemed possible because the road kept going and going and going, until after an eternity everyone arrived at 751.

At this point we all were spent and fantasizing about the figgy pudding and eggnog enjoyed the previous week...but now it was payback time. So the Thorns lounged about on the corner of 751 discussing Kinesiology and the origin of life until eventually it was suggested we should continue. Green Flash / Desert Flower made an observation that a storm cloud might be approaching in the distance, but-- because the extraordinarily accurate, bulk computer generated weather forecast from Weather.com was always right --and that it had predicted only a 12.4% chance of precipitation from 9:30 to 10:45 AM....what could possibly go wrong.

The group ventured on and soon it began snowing; I mean really snowing..in the eyes, covering our hands, head and full frontal parts. At first it was a novelty, but after turning left on Stage Coach, the group was in a complete emergency evacuation minus the blow-up slide. The Roses/Stems and Thorns became separated from their cycling friends...similar, but not at all comparable to the Christmas Classic "Home Alone". The hills around Stage Coach did not make things any better, as it exasperated the snow breathing effect.

At the top of one of the hills, the remaining Thorns collected and discussed turning around or venturing on. One important fact was that we just came down 751 which would then need to be re-climbed and we had just climbed up a hill which would be wasted effort. So we decided to tap into that illogical spirit that had gotten us into the mess in the first place, and finish out the ride. So the group rode on, keeping just the track / snowy image of the person in front of them in view UNTIL finally the clouds parted (could swear a harp played in the background) and we approached the old route by Jordan Lake and Martha's Chapel. We did not have to survive on the disgusting power gels that the group had amongst them, We-Were-Saved!

The Thorns finished out the ride at 41 miles at a 17 mph pace (with snow chains) and were thankful for an epic ride and the opportunity to return home among the comfort of family, friends..even relatives.