Ride in the New Year

Jan 1st 2011.

A great way to start the New Year.

Almost 2 dozen Thorns N Roses start the New Year together

A later start allowed for everyone to get some extra sleep after ringing in the New Year, and also allowed for the Temps to warm.

It had been a couple of weeks since the Thorns N Roses had met for a weekend ride. The weather and the Holidays took precedence over the gathering of the bicyclists.

Those participating in the Jan 1st ride included:
Rob Robertson – Top Rookie
Kevin Smit – GOG
Theresa Smit – Mother Theresa
Josh Carter – Moving Violation – back with the group after missing for too long.. Welcome back young pup.
Todd McBride – he is a rider you can always count on to help take care of the pack and anyone who falls off the back.
Elise Cobb – Popsicle - she and Jim are the first to pay in full for the Thorns N Roses Jersey.
Jim Cobb
Deb Hollis – Two Saddles
Marrianne Mann - #1 in the Bush
Ann Munn
Kaleo Bullard
David Bridenbaugh – Mr. Bridenbaugh
Doug Augustine – Rumble Strip
Sheila Augustine
Patti Lewis – Patti Melt
Jeff Hofferet
Lee Duncan – Sonic Boom
Shawn Richardson – Killer Bee
Lori Brogden
Andy Brogden
Kiki Rodu – Twinkle Toes - arrived late and joined the group of Thorns as they blasted thru Preston
Robert Renkey – also arrived late and joined the Thorns as they slid out of the parking lot.

Prior to the start GOG reminded everyone that there are still small patches of snow and ice to keep an eye out for as well as all the sand on the edges and intersections of the roads.

GOG gave the Thorns a hint of the days route. He had emailed all letting them know the days ride would be about 35 miles. While GOG was describing the route, Killer Bee suggested the bike path GOG talked about would not be a good choice due to how wet and shaded it has been. GOG immediately realized Killer Bee was correct. Others also chimed in suggesting that the wood bridges would be very slippery. GOG made a quick adjustment to the route out of town and suggested the route include key nicknamed roads such as;

Ron’s Pull, The 3 ugly sisters, Martha’s Chapel, Kevin’s Crawl, Waffle Run, with a return on Nicole’s Roller Coaster, and on in to the finish. Those who have been riding with the group long enough to understand these nicknamed roads were good to go. Others would just have to follow those in the know. GOG recognized the body language of several who were anxious to push the pace from the very start, he released them to punish each other. He and others slowly rolled out of the parking lot and onto the roads leading out of Cary.

Those riding a more relaxed pace included:

Mr. Bridenbaugh who had actuall stopped and waited on GOG as he fixed his bike computer that had stopped registering speed and distance.
Rumble Strip who had also waited on GOG
Sheila Augustine
Patti Melt
Lori and Andy Brogden
Ann Munn
Mother Theresa

Everyone else was already caught up in the adrenaline rush created by the Thorns as they pushed their way out of Cary.

The ride unfolded with the two groups riding their own pace. The Thorns elected to skip the 3 ugly sisters and instead did the entire length of Lueter Shop to the strawberry patch, with it’s obligatory County Line Sprint at about it’s half way mark.

The Stem/Roses rode with all members in sight and took occasional stops to allow for all to regroup, blow noses, drink water, and visit.
At the county line sprint non of the Stem/Roses made a play for the victory. This confused Mr. Bridenbaugh as he observed that Mother Theresa was the first to that cherished victory line. “Does Mother Theresa always take the sprint with this group” he asked GOG. Mr. Bridenbaugh normally rides with the Thorns and had not seen such lack of aggressiveness from others. “NO, She doesn’t even recognize there was a county line there or that anyone would try to get there first” GOG went on to explain. The look on Mr. Bridenbaugh was one of total shock and disbelief. How is it that no one in the group would push themselfs to the Victory Line? 

Mother Theresa was having a good ride. She was pushing the pace and found herself time and time again near the front of the group that had formed the Stems/Roses.
It was then that GOG began to realize that several of those who normally ride with the Stems/Roses were not with the group, and had in fact left the parking lot with the Thorns. Now he began to wonder if the Thorns would respond to having those in their midst and work to make sure none were dropped, or if the Thorns would attack and never look back. GOG could only hope that any who were shredded off the back of the Thorns were joined by others so no one would have to ride alone. As GOG continued the ride he kept a keen eye out for any solo riders in the distance.

As the Stems/Roses reached the Strawberry patch GOG contemplated turning early onto Holland Chapel (Waffle Run) in an effort to ride that section in reverse to find the Thorns who would be coming from the opposite direction. He elected to stay the course and directed the group onto Martha’s Chapel were they would all enjoy to long steady down hill run to the lake. As they approached the lake GOG recognized first Todd McBride and then Kaleo who were headed back up Martha’s Chapel. These two riders had been dropped earlier by the Thorns and had in fact turned earlier on Waffle run to find the Pack of Thorns headed towards them. This is what GOG had considered doing as well earlier to find the Thorns and assess who was still with them.

GOG now watched in his mirror to see if Todd and Kaleo would turn and regroup with the Stems/Roses, or continue on up Martha’s Chapel in an effort to head for home. To his joy they turned to regroup.
Upon regrouping Todd informed GOG of their previous course change and that they had seen the Thorns and that #1 in the Bush and Moving Violation were riding just off the back of the Thorns. They were all up the road about 10 minutes ahead of the Stems/Roses. This was great news to GOG. All cyclists were accounted for and no one was riding alone. That is the spirit of the group. Nice that there is always someone to pull out of the pack to make sure any solo rider is protected by some one from the pack who wants to make sure all return safe and sound.

The Stem/Roses paused at Lake Jordan to allow for more Nose Blowing, Bio Breaks in the woods, and chit chat before they headed up Kevin’s Crawl toward Waffle Run.
At the end of Waffle Run (Holland Chapel) Lori and Andy both told GOG that they planed to take an alternate route home and that they would be OK and to go on without them.

The Stems/Roses continued the run from the Strawberry Patch into Cary Glenn where they would encounter Nicole’s Roller Coaster. It was there that Sheila told GOG that Rumble Strip had peeled off by himself and took a more direct route to their home. The group continued onto Carpenter Fire Station road, across highway 55 and onto Capn’s Grave Yard. GOG turned the group towards Lewis Stevens thinking all would take the back way through Preston to the finish. It was then that Kaleo fell way off the back of the pack. GOG held up to make sure all was OK. “I am Cramping real bad” he moaned. “Is it your calfs?” GOG asked. “NO the big ones my Thighs” groaned Kaleo.

GOG then raced to the front of the pack to let them know he and Kaleo would be taking a less hilly way into the finish. That was all anyone wanted to hear and they all elected to also avoid those last few hills. All the Stems/Roses finished the ride by traveling down High house and into the parking lot.

The Stems/Roses completed 34 miles at a 15.1 mph average.

The Thorns did 33 miles at 18 mph average.

A great start to the New Year.