Monday, January 3, 2011

Penance Ride 2011: Another Tough One


We kind of knew it would be a challenging day.  The Weather forecast has been deteriorating for the last week.  By late in the day on Friday, the outlook was for a 100% rainchance, and windy.  On the other hand, the temperature range certainly looked manageable.

So, a few (very few!) stalwarts showed up for the ride.  Kudos to David, Chris, Selvin, and Rick.  I’d also like to recognize that last rider, but I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name. 

Two of our number elected to speed ahead, and do the full 100+.  I would have liked to join them, but that just wasn’t in the cards.

Let’s see.  It was windy, and the wind was directly in our faces.  The uncertain weather had caused me to choose to use the big Tourist.  I was packed for almost any eventuality (and later glad of it!), but it seems that I’m not in shape to push the heavy bike, at higher speeds, into the wind.  Long before we got down to Greenville, it was obvious that this wasn’t going to be a century day.

Chris, and Slevin elected to stay with my pace, and route option.  The three of us rode quite well, and enjoyed the day.

Oh yes, for those of you who are wondering, it did rain.  In fact, as we turned north, in Gay, GA., the rains started in earnest.  We made a hasty stop just short of Alvaton, to pull on some more protective gear, and then did the remainder of the ride in driving rain.

Wind.  Rain.  At least it was not cold.

Would I do it again?  Yes, in a minute!  It’s a good way to mark the beginning of the year.  Get a tough one under the belt on the very first day, and the year is well started. 

Happy New Year All!




NOTE:  This year’s seasonal cardinaland semi-cardinal solar dates are:

Spring Equinox: Sunday 20 March
Summer Solsitice:Tuesday 21 June
Fall Equinox:  Friday 23 September
Winter Solstice:  Thursday 22 December

Mid-Seasonal dates are:
Mid-Spring :  Tue 3 May
Mid-Summer:  Mon 8 Aug
Mid-Fall:  Sun 6 Nov

I’d say we could find a Monday night pretty close to every one of those dates.  What says the jury?

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