2/20/11

Robyn and I met CXChris, E, Big Jim and a couple of other guys at Romeo. The wind was in our faces, for Robyn E and I this was a second day of this shit. We had our fair share at the Gimbals ride yesterday. When we got to the park the S&S boys were there already. The turnout was so so, I would guess about 25-30 guys. All the usuals and throw in a RonL3 and we got a ride. Crowell and E started off on rt 10 pushing the pace. It didn't take long for the ride to start the thinning out of the pretenders. The wind was whipping and there was nowhere to hide, so I think everyone at the front just decided to get on with it. The sooner we got to the turnaround the sooner the wind would be at our backs. My legs were pretty good even though I rode hard yesterday so that's a good sign. When we hit the climb after rt42 E and I put in a little dig and then the ride went hard all the way to the light at rt68. The light was green so if you werent in the field you were done for the day. I don't think anyone could catch on in that wind. The way I saw it there were 6 or 7 guy that did the majority of the work. Not in any order RonIII, E, Hunter, Crowell, CXC, Hacker and me. The new guy in the bike rights clothes made a classic rookey mistake as he rode straight in to the parking lot at the chicane. Don't set the pace if you don't know the route. The pace was high all the way past the industrial park, well that is if you were at the front. I did see Crowell directing the way we should rotate with the wind. (Did you have to lick your finger dude?)After the light RonIII put in a dig and Hunter said we had a gap on the field, but it was to far and windy to press the pace so it settled down for a minute. When we hit the false flat after the ski slope, I put in a dig and got a gap. I was alone but I kept a good pace so that the group would keep the pace high and twist some legs. Crowell and CXC were the first across and Crowell was a little tired so I put in another bit and got another gap. I kept it steady past the firing range, RonIII dragged a group across but everyone eased to catch there breath before the turnaround climb. RonIII put in a bid on the climb Crowell and E let him go so I waited a bit then I closed the gap and pushed the pace for the corner. E, Hunter and Crowell came around me at the turn. I wanted to give E a clean ride for the sprint so I went back to the front to keep the pace high. A group of 4 came by be for the sprint. E, Hunter, Hacker and Jiancito. I think Hacker got E at the top? There was a group of 7 over the top I was sitting at the back recovering. I looked back on the downhill and the ride was in splinters. We got the light at Lowe's so that put an end to that. The wind wasn't really a tailwind it was more a cross head tail if that makes sense. The ride was pretty stats quo till we hit rt10 then the pace picked up for the S&S sprint. I would again lead it out for E and he took the prize with room to spare. On our way to the finish RonIII and CXC got a gap but I knew that I could bring them back so I waited to make my last push. I rode E and the usual cast of poachers that like to hide on the last bit of the ride right past the two nohopers. I left him a little far out but I told him he would have to make due. I jumped on the back of the 10 guys that were left. I didn't see the man to BEAT anywhere? I don't remember him taking any death pull at the end what could have happened to him? I looked over my shoulder and there he was about 100 yards OTB the big gun him self Chris Crowell What's the matter Crowell did you not believe in the break or were they going to fast for you?

PHOTO IS WHAT CXC LOOKED LIKE AFTER THE RIDE!!!!! NO LIE.