Yanceyville Ramble 200K--Mar 7 2009

Anybody who owned a bike, or knew where to beg, buy or steal one, should have been out yesterday. Here in North Carolina, we don't get many sunny, 80-degree days in early March. Four of us, Byron, Dean, JoeRay and myself, took full advantage on John Morris' Yanceyville Ramble 200K permanent, which runs from his house just north of Durham to Hyco Lake and back.

Here's Dean in the new NC Randonneurs jersey.



Why no John? He and buddy Jerry hopped in John's plane and flew to Florida for a 400K. Look for their ride report in the next few days.

Our foursome struck out at 7 a.m. Every low spot held a pool of cool air, but that would be cooked by 9 or so for a glorious day of riding.

Truth be told, we did not set any land speed records. In fact, we spent 3 hours off the bike. Mostly eating. Just 15 miles in, we made a biscuit stop. We also had burgers at a Hyco Lake grill. And we stopped in at Yoder's Store in Yanceyville for ice cream on the way home.

A stop at Gilbert's fantastic bike shop is mandatory anytime you pass through Yanceyville. Gilbert looked great.



Gilbert snapped these shots of the crew in front of the courthouse.




This guy's set-up, just outside Yanceyville, looks like Bachelor Heaven. A small trailer painted Santa Fe yellow, a grill, plastic lawn chairs and festival lights.


John's route has some rolling sections, including the challenging Gum Poole Road. I have dubbed the three hills on that road the Triplets of Belleville. They make your legs and lungs sing. The middle sister is the meanest. Here's her picture.




We rolled in at 6, another full day of fun on the bikes.