Cycle North Carolina

That's the name of an annual ride across the state and not necessarily a command. The ride, affiliated with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society, fundraiser for starts in West Jefferson and ends at Currituck-Knotts Island. Depending on the exact route taken, the distance ranges from 380 to 495 from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6. Other stops, from west to east, includie Elkin, Greensboro, Mebane, Louisburg, Roanoke Rapids and Edenton. According to the literature I received, the support for this ride will make the Jimmy V folks seem like pikers. I don't think I'll be doing the entire distance this year but at some point, and I hope sooner instead of later, this is on the the to-do list. However, registration is available for the stages so getting in a day (Greensboro-Mebane? Mebane-Louisburg?) is a very possible possibility for this fall.

The limit?

Did an English century today (beware — crappy map). I was able to execute my strategy as if I had planned it: find a group of riders doing the 100 miles, grab on to a wheel and let them pull me along. At about 20 miles the ride split: 50- and 75-mile riders left, 100-mile (it actually clocked in at +/-95) riders right. A group of five quickly caught a group of eight. The octet rode together for 10-15 miles. Just about the perfect size. Seven people could draft and the guy pulling on the front only had to go three to six minutes. Higher speed and energy conservation at the same time — a hard deal to beat. The group started to break up at the first rest stop. One guy rode on; two others stayed behind. Between the first and third rest stops (we skipped the second) a guy dropped off but we caught the guy who rode on. He kept going at the third rest stop, never to be seen again. Still, on flat or rolling terrain, the group of four stuck together thanks in large part to the generosity of the two strongest riders. At the fourth stop, rider No. 4 said he would probably drop off. I was bushed but managed to stay in contact with with the front two for about five more miles. Once we hit downtown Fuquay-Varina, though, there was no use maintaining the charade. the front two pulled away for the last time though they remained in sight for several more miles. The hardest part for the group was on downhill-uphill sections, which tend to pull groups apart and make them hard to put back together.

I crawled back to the parking lot of the Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park. I point out with some pride that I was not last and it wasn't even close. Based on my experience of Aug. 4, today and several other 80-plus-mile rides, 90 miles may be around my limit. Several of those rides have been solo efforts. I suspect that the group rides have just started too fast over the first 50 miles or so for me to have anything left at the end. Some of you may know that I have fantasies of riding across the United States. If my assessment is accurate, it will have a significant effect on how long the ride would take.

One more thing: this was the Jimmy V Ride for Research. It is the Cadillac of charity rides I've been on with four well stocked rest stops and sag support the entire way. Think what you want about Jim Valvano as a basketball coach and human being, but the foundation has raised buttloads of money for cancer research from, well, schmos like me. And as I said, they put on a hell of a ride.

Hangin' with the Bs

Well sort of. Most of the people on this ride — The Spin Cycle B ride, advertised as between 17 and 19 mph — wouldn't have had any trouble on last night's ride. Maybe they just wanted to relax by going at A pace for most of the night. But it was a much more enjoyable group experience than last night. Some shaved legs, lots of hairy legs. A range of frame materials. Smaller percentage of team kits. And much more open. Huge thanks to Mike, who, when I told him I was new to group riding, told me what to do for 25 miles. Some of it I understood, some I didn't. I have no idea if I'm educable or not. Anyway, the rest of the group was willing to let me grab a wheel even though I never pulled. I'm optimistic that if I show up Tuesday I won't be asked to leave.

The A ride

Dropped like a hot sack of cat shit. Smoked like a spliff of Rastaman ganja.

Most bike stores, including the The Spin Cycle, offer a variety of group rides, with skill levels ranging from the slowest at C to the fastest at A. My plan was to go on Tuesday's B ride, but the significant threat of rain — it was dripping on my ride home — kept me in. I figured what the hell, I'll try the Wednesday A ride. And after nine bikeless days and the last two with only my commute, I was itching for some miles.

Of the 12 or 15 riders who showed, I was one of two with a metal frame; among the minority with unshaved legs and not wearing a team kit; and the only one with a visored helmet and unmatched tires. I knew I didn't fit; the reception I got made it clear they knew it too.

My plan, even before I arrived, was that I would hope to draft someone as far as it would get me and when I got dropped make my own route instead of working to find the group. The plan worked for about 10 miles. Me and another guy got left behind on a long descent. It was like watching the Millenium Falcon engage the hyperdrive. The other guy did everything he could to outrun me and not acknowledge me. I'd give him room and then I'd reel him back in. That happened a few times. Anyway, we rode in proximity to each other for about five more miles before I let him go. He was thoughtful enough to indicate he was turning south.

I turned north and took a quick route back to The Spin Cycle. Austin, the one guy who did talk to me, was still packing his bike when I got there. He asked how my ride was and I told him OK — after all, I did get nearly 40 miles in and went really fast for parts of it. I also said that I knew I got dropped because I was too polite. Instead of holding back while the bikes in front of me coasted part way down the aforementioned hill, I should have gone into the middle of them and maintained my draft. I might have gotten dropped later but it would have gotten me through that point. Austin agreed.

The plan for Tuesdays and Thursdays for the forseeable future is to kick ass on the B ride until I'm sure I need more of a challenge. Then we'll see what happens.

Ride season is upon us

as if you hadn't guessed. Lots of shops and clubs have a variety of rides but here's what the fine folks at The Spin Cycle are pedalling. Group rides are a great way to learn cycling etiquette and occasionally meet people who are good companions for other rides or for hanging out with. Even if you don't get out on a group ride just get out. You'll be glad you did.