Durham Bulls

Classroom Attendance


Jim Cobb – The Rabbit
Shawn Richarson - Green Flash
Lee Duncan - Sonic B-M
Todd McBride – B3 (Best Bikin Buddy)

Title: Durham Bulls

On Saturday morning Team Thorn consolidated in the parking lot wondering if we could outrun the rainy forecast that was predicted. We could stay close and play it safe, or we could explore new terrain in Durham where we have limited experience and greater interaction with motorists. Exactly, we chose the Durham route.
Off we went utilizing the escape hatch out of Cary and enjoyed the typical commuter route into the triangle, minus the spilled coffee in the crotch. It was a nice change with windy roads and some hills to start. The group stayed together and worked well as we escorted ourselves beyond the Cary city limits. A few miles into the ride, we enjoyed the calming delight of some stop lights, train tracks and other roadside attractions including a routine traffic ticket for one unlucky driver. If they only had decided to ride their bike…

One unexpected observation was that there were a lot of hills on the route. Seriously, a ton. The mountainous terrain jumped out of no where, punishing the lungs and our resolve to overcome the mighty giants of Durham. And then that resolve went out the window as a few pulled off to go to McDonalds.

What is this!? Oh, they aren’t getting coffee and hash browns, they just need the gentle embrace of the toilet koozie (not the outdoorsy type for bio relief). A few moments later we were back on the road and climbing the hills again. This continued on for about an eternity, but we loved it because it felt like an adventure.

As the riders approached Cary prefecture, it was determined that we still had time on the shot clock, so the Green Flash suggested that we add on another mini loop. Because we had been so successful staying out of the rain, why not push our look a little further? And we did.

The group pulled into the parking lot just shy of 12 noon and were extremely ecstatic to be able to get out and ride and enjoy time with friends.

Distance: approx 45 miles
Ave speed: approx 18.5 mph
Calories burned: Equiv. to 1 Happy Meal