A Tribute and the First Ride in August

Riders,

Tonight, we said good-bye to our friend Jeff Breu. A group of ~25+ riders rode to Mac's in his memory. As I rode with another rider, she commented how fitting the route was.... you can never ride without going towards Mac's... and Jeff rode with us on that route many times. Thanks to Ryno, Duane, Arden, Karla, Jaime, and Vance for using the n'hood clubhouse and others as well as his family for allowing us to say good-bye with a ride... they even had a Sheriff's car escorting us the whole way. We returned to break bread with his family and friends. Tonight's lesson was this... have a friend and be a friend to those around you... and if you're reading this.... we are all two-wheeled friends.... Gods Speed Jeff Breu....

If you didn't get the email.... here it is... in the spirit as it was intended....

Last week’s ride was bizarre for sure!!! We headed towards Mac’s to offer a shorter ride for those looking for ~20 miles. We had at least 3 new riders to join the group!!! When we arrived at Mac’s the discussion lead towards a total mutiny; throwing the prescribed route under the bus and heading towards LA (Lower Anderson via Michelin Blvd). That quickly was countered with beginning the bizarro route… aka riding SVR backwards!!!

However, “we” paid for that luxury of riding bizarro. Apparently, the cycling karma circulates in one direction… that being the flow of the usual and customary SVR. In riding the route in reverse, the group had 2 flat tires, a front-wheel meltdown and a K-9 encounter… AND since we added more miles at the start.. many PRs were set for distance!!! AND a lesson was learned by a seasoned veteran… it appeared that one rider only wanted 60 miles.. and he did not respect that distance by being nutritionally prepared…. He did not pack sufficient energy, (aka Perpetuem) and relied only on carbs (Powergel, Fig bars and dilute Gatorade)… when the route expanded to 73 miles… all the sudden said rider was in a “world of hurt”… he was SO READY to get off the bike!!!! It really was a sad site… and that rider has been on the bike for 15 years!!!

So, this week, let’s return to the tried and true SVR route that we’ve enjoyed for years! A group of riders will gather for a “wheels roll” time of 0800 (aka 8'ish for the chronographically challenged) from the parking lot of New Spring Church. The route is about 43 miles (+/-) with an option to return to Macs a second time.

Of note, I might not be there at the 0800 start time…. This weekend’s plan calls for a C-note ride… a Ben Franklin ride… yep, at least 2 riders will meet for a 6:30am departure time to ride a full century… 100 miles…. So, depending on the route, there is an excellent change we will not participate in the mass start at 8am… but, I know there are several riders who WILL start at 0800.. mostly because they HATE early morning rides…

If you’re new to the group, give a shout out to a seasoned veteran… he/she will be easy to spot, they’re the ones “chatting it up” in the parking lot before wheels roll.

Here’s a SHOUT OUT to Scott Shuey… we think of you and speak of you often… our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family….

See ya on the road…

The Announcer

7-25-09

Riders,

What is going on in this world??? Total chaos surrounds us… and for this weekend’s ride, the SVR is going to change… no kidding… we’re going Bizarro… upon the suggestion from IronMike, we’re going to ride the SVR backwards… it’ll offer new and different challenges.. and according to the riders who have shown up most every Saturday morning… many are getting the itch to try something “different”… and since “majority rules” (in most cases, except in politics)… we’ll yield THIS TIME to doing something different…

Just a note about going “bizarro”… according to urban legend, Bizarro and the Bizarro World have become somewhat well known in popular culture, and the term Bizarro is used as to describe anything that uses twisted logic or that is the opposite of something else… so, riding SVR in reverse is definitely Bizarro!!! It’s as twisted as we can get, right?

So, riders will gather at New Spring parking lot for a roll-out time of 0800… note, that’s NOT 8’ish!!!! If we go 100% bizarro, we’ll travel Shackleburg to Thompson to Dalrymple and turn right on 5-Forks and head out to Melton… however, if we’re only 80% bizarro, we’ll ride Shackleburg to Timms Mill and the turn right on 5 Forks and head toward Melton. The decision will be made at the start…

Please note, some riders who are looking for extra miles will meet for a roll-out time of 6:30am at New Springs… we’ll circle back to participate in “going bizarro” with the entire group.

So, if you’re not in France running along side Contador on a hill stage… we expect you to ride… (NO kidding.. one of our locals, draped with a Clemson Flag, ran along side Contador… it was featured on WYFF-4 news!!! Way to go Brooks!!! And look for Brooks again as the TdF heads up Ventoux!!!

And here’s a notice about supporting a good cause for the Anderson YMCA.

The Y is organizing a campaign to collect used (but still wearable) athletic shoes to sell in underdeveloped countries to raise money for their scholarship fund. On July 29th, drop off the shoes at one of the three Chick-Fil-A locations and rumor has it, you’ll get a coupon for a biscuit.

Saturday Ride for July 18

Riders,
Please stand by for a top secret message from Crystal Palace. Authentication is as follows: Tango Delta Foxtrot Sierra Victor Romeo:

The expeditionary force of Whiskey Xray Charlie reports all roads clear and ready to ride. Rendezvous point is November Sierra (aka New Spring parking lot) at 0800 for wheels-up time. The patrol route remains the same to accommodate necessary training.

Come ready to ride. Roger That!!

Okay.. enough of the military jargon.. I grew up a military brat and one of my favorite movies is War Games… Anyone want to ride??? Last week, we had a small group of riders leave very early… and it’s very interesting what one learns in the early morning hours riding a bike… the only thing I’m at liberty to share is that "High-Heels" returned to Macs for a second time… if you want to know why he’s called High-Heels… you need to ride with him… and ask!!!! He'll be all smiles as he tells you the story!!!

Last weeks mission was 80 miles… this weeks mission is to ride for time…

So, if you’re not in France watching the TdF (get it?? Tango Delta Foxtrot)… you need to be riding the SVR (get it?? Sierra Victor Romeo)…. No kidding… there is a local rider who’s on the red-eye to France to ride Mount Ventoux and watch de Tour in real time!!! From the side of the road!!!! So, if you're not at the beach with your family... or doing anything else.. come on out...

Due to my ongoing participation on my job… I have a responsibility that will prevent me from an early start… so, I’ll arrive at 0800…. For 43 miles at 16.8mph average speed… that DOES include HILLS!!!! the effort is steady without many prolonged breaks... And if the weather is right… and the company is good… and I have some energy…. I might ride to Macs a second time… but, I’ll do it without a nickname!!!!

AND now for some good news... we'll no longer need to do an "intervention" with Tony... because he's back in the saddle again... rumor has it.. Tony, who's been riding with us for years, had a rough week and considered turning in his pedals... we were about to go all "intervention" on him when he came to his senses and straddled his steed last Saturday!!! GOOD JOB!!!

Are you with me???

I'd like you to meet the newest member of the tri relay team... his specialty is the swim.. but, he can run too if needed... he can't quite get through the cycling leg of the tri!!!

July 11 Ride

Riders,

Back by popular demand… the ride of the week, the SVR!!!! Yes, a group of riders will gather at the parking lot of New Springs for the official rollout time of 0800. Some time zones call it 8'ish... Although there has been an attempt to highjack the ride route…we’ll make every attempt to stay the course… the same course from the beginning so many years ago… the same course founded by Mr. Vance NameSake, Mr. Rick Retirement and Mr. Ken IMFL SC Fast-Man.

There must be something in the air, because last week, we set an all time record for participants… some 20+ riders pulled out at 0800… we had a few new riders (like Nathan) and a few riders we haven't seen in a while (like Jeff who use to ride with Tony.. speaking of Tony.. where have you been???)... we met a group of 10+ riders at Mac’s… (the wine tasters.. who have been logging some big miles... up Marion!!!!) It was nice to see our own little peleton hammering up the road…

Of note, there will be a small expeditionary force who’ll gather to start riding at 0600 ( I know... that's actually before sunrise...) to log a few extra miles… some riders have a goal of 80 miles.. and others are shooting for a full century… the US kind for 100 miles!!!! Of note, if the expeditionary force has not returned to the start by the official rollout time of 0800.. (aka 8ish) PLEASE LEAVE WITHOUT THEM…TAKE NO PRISONERS… they’ll be obligated to track the main group down…

Best of luck to those racing in Chattanooga, … those traveling… and those who cannot be with us for various reasons…. and special props to our own CR1 Scott Shuey who's "taking no prisoners" at MD Anderson!!!! and Props to his wife and girls for making and outstanding meatloaf... AND for "smuggling" it past the nurses station.. NO JOKE... real renegades!!!

Okay, this art work in honor of one IRONMIKE WHALEY.. he sports that tat.. ask him to see it... and here's a word about my "crazy Ivan" last week.. I was under the influence.. so, I caved in to start riding at the BOTTOM of the hour.. aka 0630.. so, this weekend, I'm making amends... and starting at the TOP of the hour... so, I'm getting back to my old habits.. so, join me at the unbelievable hour of 6am to ride... no kidding..

See ya on the road!

Freedom Ride

Riders,

What better way to celebrate the July 4th holiday, than to log some miles… so, if you’re not on the lake… or at the beach or at a theme park… or on an exotic vacation… or recovering from major/minor surgery, come out for a few miles…. Our celebration will be the freedom of riding… with wind in your face, the rubber side down and the sweet sound of free-wheeling… riding sure beats running!!! come with fluids, nutrition, repair kit (just in case) and any other items you like to carry…. Perhaps some Endurolytes? or maybe a cell phone to call mama when the going gets tough?

The group meets at New Spring Church Parking lot and wheels roll out at 8am sharp… we don’t wait on the fast guys… the route remains tried and true… a total of 42 +/- miles… there’s a few very hard efforts and a few spinning efforts and a few hills which yields an overall average speed of 16.5mph…

Kudos to Beastie-Bob for his route selection for the Greyhound Ride last Saturday…. I think that ride was harder than our usual and customary SVR.... you known, ole Beastie Bob can be seen on Tuesday nights when he goes out for HILLS!!!! I guess he was trying to spread the "love" of hills, hills and more hills!!!! My reply to that is OUCH, OUCH and DOUBLE OUCH... overall, the routes were great... the volunteers were great.... and the riders were great!!!

See ya on the road.
The Announcer

ps... what's that you ask??? no art work??? leave a comment on what you'd like to see...