Thursday night rides started last night with a nice dedicated group showing some awesome early season form. The Group included, Darryl "on the road to fitness" Henckle, Paul "separated at birth from Bjarne Riis" Kingsbury, Eric "Frozen Peas" Burns, Dave "when did he get afterburners" Prugh, Mark " I don't need no fing Nickname" Sheehan, Jermey " Gonna be Daddy is the only way you are gonna beat me up the hill" Wheeler, Cliff "check out my legs" Thoma, Steve "I can beat your ass on MTB" Burlingame, Ryan "last out of the parking lot first up the hill" Morales and myself Bobby " pass out any more nicknames and somebody is gonna stick a pump in your spokes'' Nunnink " The group did the Dutch Hill route a 23 mile torture test of some the best terrain Elmira has to offer. As Phil Liggett would say, "this was 23 miles of pure purgatory"
We were led out of town by Darryl at a nice leisurely 15 mph pace. "We stopping for ice cream on this ride?" As usual the pace accelerated once we turned onto Pennsylvania Ave. We quickly broke into two groups. Paul, Jeremy, Dave, Ryan, and myself pushed the pace to a very challenging 26mph. "This is a pedigree group of men, they are holding on by the skin of their shorts." Catching our breath at Sagetown we sort of did our first regroup. Thursday nights it is understood we will slow but not wait very long. Paul laid the blame firmly on my shoulders for not waiting for Darryl and Steve. Nice transferal of your own guilt Paul. Ended up Darryl elected to just do the flats and Steve tried valiantly to catch back on to the Cliff, Eric, Mark group. Steve would turn around and retrace the route out back into town. Mark as usual did not slow and led his group up Stauss. I've used that very same tactic myself before. It makes you stronger and the waiting group can't see the tears of pain on your cheeks.
After a short wait. "Digging into our suitcase of courage" we proceeded to chase Mark's group up hill. I remember this climb from some of my early rides with BHV. Yes that was me puking in the ditch at the top. Who was first up the hill? Not sure, where exactly is the top of this pain. I know I took the county line sign. That counts for something right? A quick regroup and Mark continues on. " Watch out for the gravel on the descent" of Dutch Hill. Paul and I catch the leaders on Hendy. 34 mph in a two man chase. Is my speedo working? Mark is still away. The five horseman give chase. Almost catch Mark on the bridge before Water St. Mark peels off onto Church we continue on Water Street. "And hats off to him as well"
OK the ride is over we will just spin easy back to the shop. Yeah right! The sign says Town of Elmira, I see Jeremy smile as he passes me at the line. We continue down Water St. That next acceleration by Jeremy and Ryan was meant to break us. We all hang on. Have to remember to draft behind Dave more often. Where's Paul did we loose him? Another acceleration where the hell is that town line sprint. ahhh there it is finally. We go for it. I wonder if this place where Reedo crashed last year? Not a good thought for sprinting. Boy that city line sign is far away. Paul is in the gutter. Where the hell did he come from? "now this move is gonna cause panic in the bunch" Lungs burning and I am cold all of a sudden. My job was to be leadout man I peel off. Yeah right! At the line it is Paul, Ryan, and then Dave. Spaghetti and beer followed at Manzaris.
Can't wait to do again next Thursday. Come join us.
