AUDAX 200K RIDE REPORT

This was one for the books. Given that we’ve been having a lot of weather, and we certainly had a “forecast” for yesterday’s ride, I sort of thought we’d have an empty ride, a lot of “no shows,” and the hassle that goes along with that. I’m pleased to say things didn’t work out that way. In fact, I’d say they worked out very well indeed.

There were some last minute personnel changes, but nothing significant. Present at the Start were (in no particular order) Bob coup, Cindy Whitley, HL Jackson, Homberto Arango, Chris Muntzel, Kelvin Arcelay, Scott Rutkowski, and your corespondant.

The day dawned cloudy, with the constant trheat of showers, temps in the mid 60s. We pushed off pretty much on time, and proceeded south through Peachtree City on damp to wet roads. We hit a few very light showers as we moved south toward Pine Mountain. The rain was light. We got damp. The rain stopped. We dried out. Rain gear wasn’t really needed.

I want to take a moment here and compliment this group on their spirit of co-operation. Folks pitched in, waited where necessary, pulled when needed, and generally made the progress calm and orderly.

Pine Mountain was shrouded in mists as we climbed to the spine and rode along it. Every time is different, and each is amazing. I think the weather helped us here too. There was very little traffic on the mountain, and none of the blasting motorcycle groups. (Yay!) And of course, the descent into Warm Springs! I think the “Top Speed descender” hit 47.3 mph. This person will, of course remain nameless.

Lunch was… Well, it was the Bulloch House! It was great, plentiful, and just what was needed. I liked what Chris said. “I always finish feeling like I could never eat again. But two hours later…”

As we emerged from the lunch room we were greeted by a different day. Gone were the mists and low clouds. Bright sunshine and blue skies with big puff ball clouds had magicked themselves into existence while we ate. The temps were warm and pleasant. The road generally down hill for the next five miles. That’a a great “dessert” for a cyclist.

Of course, Spring in Georgia means ~~ changeable weather!

I watched with a little apprehension as those puff ball clouds gathered, and grew. I had a pretty good idea we were going to get hit with at least one pop up shower late in the day. Turned out I was right, and it worked out great and it was fun! More on that in a bit.

Our first stop on the return leg is in Gay, GA. Turned out the store there was closed. I don’t know how they plan to stay in business. Their hours aren’t very reliable. This leads to an unavoidable digression. Cyclists, we need to use stores on long rides. Please do not do business with stores which have restrooms “for staff only” or permanently “out of order.” Politely, let them know why you are taking your business elsewhere, and then do so. On the other hand, be gracious to those who are accommodating. Try to buy something if you use the rest room. Or tip the clerk a couple of dollars and thank them. End of digression.

The closed store in Gay posed a bit of a strategic problem. We departed quickly and moved along Flat Shoals road, then things got a bit confusing, as a couple of our group needed to make use of “field expedient sanitary facilities.” (Hint: always carry a small pack of toilet paper with you on a long ride. This can be invaluable!)

The fumbling around near Gay sort of spread the group out a bit. Chris and I dropped back to check on and ride with a couple of the trailing members while the majority of the group rode ahead. As we increased out pace toward Digby, we found the roads becoming wet. (The sky was really clouding up by this point.) Soon we were getting soaked by water from wet roads, and dripping from the trees. It was obvious that we were following and catching up to a storm. I figured it was likely that the lead group was in the storm. That turned out to be the case.

We all re-group at the store in Digby, where the lead group was standing in bare feet, soggy, and attempting to dry out. As we moved through the business of this stop, I was watching the skies around us. Big, black, thunderheads were closing in. It was time to move.

This was the point at which two of our party made extremely good decisions. Both of these members had been struggling through the afternoon. Both elected to withdraw and call for a ride. That let the rest of us get on the road and “hit the gas.”

For ten minutes I was a bit concerned, but then we seemed to be getting ahead of the weather. For the next 15 minutes things looked very good and we relaxed a bit. But the road was angling back toward the storms, and they were moving in our direction. Weather gaining on us! Oops!

We realized that, if we kept to our intended route, we would really be pounded. There was a big storm right on that track. Time for a change of plans. I called for the group to hang onto my wheel, at the best possible speed. Wow! What a rush!

Everyone then present had already ridden 110+ miles, climbed a mountain, and been in the saddle all day. Know what? Everyone responded! We motored straight north on 85 conn, out of Brooks, to GA-85. At Starr’s Mill the weather was in front of us, so we made a very brief stop to pull on rain gear, and then advanced again, right into a down pour. We went straight down GA-74, onto Redwine Rd, and then onto Robinson. In essence, the group did a 10 mile speed run, after a long hard day of riding. Gang, you are magnificent!

By the time we were pulling into town we’d outdistanced that worst of the storm, and were ready to cruise north on the Peachtree Pkwy. Dry clothing, post ride sandwich munchies, and camaraderie rounded out the day.

So here are the stats:
Distance: 122.3 miles.
Moving Time: 8:35:44
Rolling Average: 14.22 mph
Overall time: 10:23:16

Thanks to all of you who came along. It was truly a tremendous ride. BRAVO!

(Tomorrow: On to Cheaha!)