12.31.2009
7.02.2007
"California Wins"
So Liz and I are in Massachusetts this week visiting her family. After unpacking the bikes, we checked out a local bike shop for some info on rides. I have got to say, Jim from Village Cycles in Westport Mass, is one enthusiastic guy. We rolled up to the front of his shop and hadn't gotten our helmets off before he was out front inviting us on the group ride he organizes every Sunday morning. He hooked us up with maps, showed us his shop, and introduced us to everyone.
I show up Sunday not knowing what to expect, but jazzed about riding with some locals in a new place. This is no group ride like I've ever seen- Jim prints up maps for the riders, the course has sprints and a big "hill" climb, all with primes. About 60 riders roll out for the 53 mile loop. Now Coastal Mass is one of the flattest places I've been, so I keep wondering where this big "climb" is going to be-I don't want to get shown up by a bunch of flatlanders. I am with the first group of about 20 guys, a couple of which are a little antsy with a new guy in the mix. The pace is pretty good, if not the paceline. I settle into an uneasy rhythm with the group, wondering in the back of my mind when this big hill is coming up. I had just taken a pull and drifted back to last wheel when everyone starts to kind of fall apart. A couple guys go off the front and I think to myself, "this can't be the the big climb, can it?" I go hard to make up the gap and pass the remaining few guys ahead of me, get to the Stop Sign and Jim says: "California Wins!"
We finished the loop averaging 22+mph, and Jim had a cooler of Gatorade waiting at the finish. I have never really won much of anything in a race, let alone a group ride- but I came home with a $300 computer/HRM. This guy has really made an effort to be a great community advocate for cycling. Check out his shop if you are ever in Mass.
I show up Sunday not knowing what to expect, but jazzed about riding with some locals in a new place. This is no group ride like I've ever seen- Jim prints up maps for the riders, the course has sprints and a big "hill" climb, all with primes. About 60 riders roll out for the 53 mile loop. Now Coastal Mass is one of the flattest places I've been, so I keep wondering where this big "climb" is going to be-I don't want to get shown up by a bunch of flatlanders. I am with the first group of about 20 guys, a couple of which are a little antsy with a new guy in the mix. The pace is pretty good, if not the paceline. I settle into an uneasy rhythm with the group, wondering in the back of my mind when this big hill is coming up. I had just taken a pull and drifted back to last wheel when everyone starts to kind of fall apart. A couple guys go off the front and I think to myself, "this can't be the the big climb, can it?" I go hard to make up the gap and pass the remaining few guys ahead of me, get to the Stop Sign and Jim says: "California Wins!"
We finished the loop averaging 22+mph, and Jim had a cooler of Gatorade waiting at the finish. I have never really won much of anything in a race, let alone a group ride- but I came home with a $300 computer/HRM. This guy has really made an effort to be a great community advocate for cycling. Check out his shop if you are ever in Mass.
3.09.2007
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