LEL Card

This arrived in yesterday's mail. Fun stamps -- the snail got it about right.

Tar Heel 200K -- The Solstice Edition

Sunday was one of the shortest days of the year. Perfect for a long ride. A dozen of the Tar Heel randonneurs struck out from a parking lot in Benson on Dean's Tar Heel 200K, which winds through the flatlands down to Tar Heel, the town. Befitting the season, we bundled up like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story. Maria even had strings on her new gloves. It was below freezing when we started, and above freezing when we finished, but I couldn't tell you exact numbers on either end. With warm clothing and good company, it just didn't seem that bad. This was my first time riding the Tar Heel route. I liked it. At least half the group managed to stay together for most of the journey; a flat route lends itself to that sort of pack riding. We generally lollygagged through each and every control for a full day of riding in the crisp winter air, rolling back into Benson at dusk, the Christmas lights ablazing a trail for us.

I'd like to say the ride went off without a hitch. But we had one accident along the way, set in motion by a dog that leaped across a drainage ditch directly in front of us, shortly after the Steadman control. I was following Mary and Tom was on my wheel. As the dog made his grand appearance, Mary hit her brakes hard. I followed suit and veered to the left to avoid her. Tom did the same, but to use a NASCAR term, I collected him and he went head over heels onto the road. His handlebar went through my rear wheel, pulling a spoke, nipple and all, out of the rim and locking up my wheel when the handlebar jammed against my seat stays. It also put a series of handsome dents in my stainless Berthoud fender. I dragged Tom's bike down the road but managed to stay upright. Tom was apparently none the worse for wear. The only damage appeared to be a few scrapes on his bootie -- and by that I mean his shoe cover, not the one you shake. Chalk it up to his martial arts training, where a good part of the education focuses on how to fall without injury. We dusted ourselves off and had a short and unsatisfactory exchange with the dog owners. It took about five minutes to get the handlebar out of my rear wheel as it was lodged securely between two other spokes. Then our resident mechanic, Byron, pulled out a spoke wrench and had my wheel in rideable shape in short order. Adventure over, away we wobbled.

A special thanks to Dean for hosting the crowd, congratulations to all who needed the 200K in pursuit of the coveted R-12 Award, and a tip of the wool cap to Maria, who has figured out how to stay warm when things get cold. A special congrats to Tom and Mary, who will have 15,000 miles for the year by the end of this week! It was great seeing Sridhar out there. Here's to many more rides with him in 2010.

A few photos:


Dean lit up like a... well, Christmas tree.


Geoffy Pop gives words of encouragement to Nanook of the South.


Here are Tom and Mary giving a little love to the photographer....


Burger King -- putting the gas in gastronomic.


Dean and Fearless Leader Al on the move. Thanks to the magic of the InterWebs, this image was on Facebook exactly 15 seconds before I took it.


Fearless Leader Al can do this ride in his sleep.


Byron...fastest wrench in the South.


Afternoon shadows.


Maria breaks the speed of light on a slight downhill stretch.


Telephone pole badly in need of a shave.

The Number 23

23. That's a fine number for an enigma. Or a movie. It's a cold start to a 200K, and that was the local temperature when we rolled out at 7:15 this morning.

Maria and I met at Stony Hill Fire Station, the start of the Lake Loop, for a dose of frigid randonneuring. Unfortunately, 23 miles -- the first control -- was the mile marker that dashed both of our chances. Poor Maria was developing a case of hypothermia. She abandoned there and had a friend pick her up. As for me, I left my card sitting on the counter, a mistake I realized another 10 miles down the road. And so I went to Plan B. I rode up to the Virginia state line and turned back, logging 100 miles for the day and bagging the month's century, for 8 straight years of at least 1 century a month. A big thanks to Brother Rich for inspiring me on Century #1, way back in January 2002.

A couple notes. I had no problem with the cold, since I had at least as much wool on as your average New Zealand sheep. I'm a big fan of Joneswares, and most items were made by them.

Feet: Joneswares Wool socks, newspaper bags over them.
Legs: Boure shorts, heavy wool tights.
Upper body: Joneswares wool t-shirt, Joneswares heavy wool arm warmers, Wabi Woolens wool shirt, Joneswares wool cycling jersey, RUSA wind vest.
Neck: Neck Gator Plus (this thing is great).
Hands: REI glove liners, REI outer gloves (not sure of model).
Head: 2 Joneswares wool skull caps.

I was cool starting out, especially my feet, but comfortable the rest of the day. Notice I did not wear a jacket. I find they get sweated up so badly that I get chilled from the trapped moisture.

A great day for pictures. Here are some of my favorites.

Pizza in Stovall: The Mountain Edition

I did an 88-miler on Sunday with Martin and his "irregular" crew. Ringleader Martin did a write-up. It's here. Thanks to all for a great day in the sun, and for showing me the Stovall Mountain. Look for a rerouting of the Lake Loop in the very near future. A mountain at Mile 100 is the very spice that stew has been lacking.

A Trip to Little Washington (and Bath & Belhaven

A 115-mile tailwind push to the coast, followed by a gallery opening for Anthony, then a leisurely Saturday touring the local sites, including the very odd museum in Belhaven. Enjoy.

Moonshine 100km, November 21, 2009

As part of a year-end celebration that included an evening get-together and awards ceremony, NC Randonneurs could start the day with either a 100km or 200km brevet, both leaving from and finishing at the Natty Greene Pub and Brewing Company located in downtown Greensboro, NC. Just a block from the pub stands its namesake: a tall statue of General Nathanial Greene, an important Colonial figure who figured centrally in the theme of this year’s ride (lead-in picture). Greene was known as George Washington’s “most gifted and dependable officer” after whom many places are named, including Greensboro.

By the title of my post, you can decipher which route I chose. But that still leaves some explaining. Could I have deviated, as the title might imply, a bit off course? After all, wasn’t this supposed to be the Natty Greene 100km? What’s this moonshine monkeyshine business?

Cyclists gather just before dawn for our sunrise start.

Our small splintered group managed to get out of town after a few false turns. For whatever reason, our cue sheet was in English. But the two guys “leading” our splintered group were P-B-P anciens and I think they must have still been thinking in French. They were able to save us though when, at mile 2.7, they spotted something in French: Lafayette Avenue. We were back on track! After finally reaching one of the few level portions of the scenic course—that wiggled from side to side and up and down up to Madison, NC, before returning to Greensboro another way—I was able to pull out my camera and catch a picture of Chuck riding into a slight headwind.

After crossing the Dan River Bridge at the outskirts of Madison, I turned onto Market Street, a few blocks from the control. But my direct progress was thwarted, since the street was cordoned off and a throng of people was gathering in the downtown area one block ahead. The look on my face when a passer-by informed me of the nature of the hullaballoo must have confirmed her suspicion that I was not from around there. The first clue may have been the fact that I showed up at the annual Moonshine Festival dressed in lycra with water bottles on my bike. But luckily, giddy with promise, no one was paying me any attention.

Blend in or not, I just had to gratify my curiosity and conduct some cultural research. A task made easier, since I was obliged to find my way to the control to get my card signed for ride credit! Off my bike, I threaded my way along the barricaded street past pedestrians admiring antique vehicles. Could they have been involved in bootlegging at one time or another?

The sweet aroma of home-cooked stew led me directly to the control. Though not yet ready, the cooks offered me a taste as I stood nearby admiring their work. I didn’t want to disappoint and relished their local version of Brunswick stew. Upon my inquiring what ingredients they used, one of the cooks rattled off a list of known common ingredients and then with a twinkle in his eye added: “And for taste, a little rabbit, squirrel, deer . . ."

The sweet aroma of Brunswick stew!

Inside the Dan River Coffee House (control), I ordered—surprise!—coffee. I sat sipping by the warm fire looking out the window mesmerized by the steam liberated from the cauldron that tantalized helpless passers-by.

I was awakened from my momentary reverie by the arrival of RBA Tony Goodnight and additional riders.

Diligent Tony stopping in and taking a moment to see that everyone is accounted for and doing well.

One of the riders, Bill, from Tennessee had the coolest jersey of the day, at least from my biased viewpoint as a physiology instructor. Not only, that, Bill shows us the proper way to drink coffee—in a cup and saucer!

He even has the pinkie finger thing down, or is it up?

The Republic of Anaerobia jersey replete with coat of arms and motto in Latin. I’ll get you started on the Latin lesson. Just fill in the blank. It reads, “I came, I saw, I _______ .”

Gotta get going. I almost forgot that the clock was ticking!

We spot more cool vehicles as we leave town.

Hey, let’s sneak a peek inside this jewel!

“Hey, somebody throw the ‘fresh’ ‘possum in the stew that's under Jethro's left front tire!”

Climbing out of the Dan River basin and then crossing several tributary creeks made riding on the return interesting. Sort of like visiting the Republic of Anaerobia again and again. I think I’m a naturalized citizen.

A little later, as I approached one intersection, I spotted a couple of cyclists who didn’t appear to be just taking a break. A road sign was missing.

Good old-fashioned navigating with a map! After a team meeting in survival orienteering, we were soon on our way, all the more confident we were on track. I’ve noticed the scenery is much better when you know you are on the right track!

First things first. When I arrived back at Natty Greene's . . .

I got my control card signed.

And then sat down where I wouldn’t stink up the place on the veranda outside . . .

to a post-ride bowl of hot, hot chili and a cold, cold glass of water in the shadow of General Nathanial Greene standing guard.

I’m celebrating the fact that today’s ride put me just over the 5,000 RUSA km mark, my publicly stated goal for the year.

Thanks to all my riding buddies this year and to the RBAs, Permanent owners, and ride volunteers for making it possible!

Oh, yeah, back to the question of whether or not I deviated off course. That’s what I was told by two cyclists who finished after me but who were in front of me leaving Madison. But then they said they were joking. They’d stopped for a break at a convenient store, setting up the leap frog. What are riding buddies—even newly found ones—good for if they can’t pull your leg? Interestingly, my new friend Steve said over our bowls of chili that of all the types of cycling events in which he’s been involved over the years randonneurs are the friendliest cyclists.

With that, I guess there’s nothing more to say, other than . . .

Let’s ride!

250 Miles on a Rent-a-Bike

The stars aligned to make last weekend's 400K happen. I had a free plane ticket burning a hole in my pocket, I needed a 400K to complete an SR series, and the only one left on RUSA's schedule was down in Texas. DanD, the RBA for the legendary Lone Star Randonneurs, offered a spare bedroom and picked up a rental bike for me. The bike cost $42 for the weekend, and a fine bike it was. The airline would have charged me $200 to fly my bike round trip. I ain't no mathematician but... Pam loaned me a Schmidt wheel, I slapped on lights, a seat, pedals and a couple bags, and away we went.



The weather set up perfectly. We'd be heading into a south wind for the first 100 miles, then turn for a push home as the temperatures climbed to about 80. When you're in the middle of a mild fall like we're having here in N.C., it's hard to wrap your head around near summertime temperatures. I packed so much wool I could have dressed a sheep, right down to the boxer shorts. In the end, I carried arm warmers, leg warmers and a vest.

Eight of us headed out at 7 a.m., including DanD, Mark, Val, Gary, Sharon, Gary2 and Sandy. Dan pointed out the new gas wells going in the ground and the tall fence of a wild animal refuge before we plunged deep into ranch country. Check out these gates....





We took a couple busy roads on the way south, mostly using the shoulder, but came home on exceedingly pleasant farm roads and side roads. There was lots of side-by-side riding.







The LSR riders describe the course as one of their hillier routes. We see more rollers here in the North Carolina Piedmont, but that's not to say the Texas route wasn't challenging. A century of headwinds makes for a long day on the bikes, and rough chip-seal roads knocked a good two miles an hour off our average speed.

Down near Glen Rose we went by the place with the dinosaur tracks, right up the road from the Creation Evidence Museum . You know, the place where the human tracks were found next to the dinosaur ones, or "the original artifacts that devastate evolutionary theory." Got it, but here's a tip. When talking about the scientific evidence of creation, you should probably avoid statements like the "tremendous pyramid of evidence," as everyone knows aliens built those.

You know you're in Texas when you pass this place....



The air for much of the trip was heavy with the smell of dead skunk since every one of em in a four county area had been lured onto the highway the night before, only to meet their untimely demise. They were joined by a couple armadillo and raccoons.

The hallmark of any LSR event is a great deal of call-and-response banter, a road show version of Laugh-In. If "Sock Monkey" Val is along for the ride, you'd best be ready to dish it out as well as take it -- and his favorite target was Dan.


Here's a typical exchange:

Val: Hey Dan!

Dan: What?

Val: You know the secret to going downhill fast?

Dan: No, Val, what?

Val: A fat ass and good hubs. You should look into getting some new hubs.

If you fall in with the LSR crew, chances are good that you're going to find yourself in elite company. These guys are working on four, five, six SRs for the season. They have more hardware hanging on their walls than Ace. I'm not naming names, but down here they call 10,000K an off-season. In some years, LSR riders have completed double that distance. Brenda and Mark are both veterans of RAAM. Yeah, I was in with the big dogs, all right. I took a couple ceremonial turns on the front, but mostly I just sat in and hung on when the Texas crew began to dig in the spurs. This was a business trip -- these guys ride a lot of miles and they know how to get 'er done.

The final control was the 24-hour Whataburger, which dished out vanilla malts when we dragged in at 12:44 a.m.

Thanks to all for a great day on the bikes, and to Pam and Dan for their gracious hospitality.

Lake Loop / Nov. 1 Rain Edition

Oh, my. Sunday was a wet day for a bike ride. But there's no bagging it when Branson sends this note: "Wind's howling- it's raining- the temperature's dropping- I'M IN!!!"

We left at 8:15 on the Lake Loop in a soaking rain. Here's an enthusiastic-looking Byron at the start.



The rain and headwind continued for 70 miles. What to wear in the rain? I couldn't find my O2 rain jacket so I wore a Joneswares wool t-shirt, a Wabi Woolens jersey, my RUSA wind vest, long fingered gloves, a Joneswares wool skull cap and wool socks, and Pearl Izumi tights. I was never dry but only cold once, when we stopped for a half-hour lunch. We had drying roads and a tailwind for 60 miles, and that considerably sweetened the ride memory. We are in the middle of fall here and the roads were littered with leaves and pine needles.

Branson and I rode fixed and were off the front, but were not too far ahead of Geof, Byron and Brian, riding his very first 200K. Talk about getting a good taste of randonneuring. I headed back up the route in the dark to check on them. Fantastic running lights front and aft.

We had some incredibly positive car-bike interactions, including one driver who rolled up next to me during daylight hours to say how visible my rear blinking light made me.

On a weekend when all the club rides got canceled, I'm giving our crew the nod for getting out there and knocking out the century/200k of the month on Day 1.

2009 3 Brothers Lake Loop

The English folks will like this -- three steel British bikes on Saturday's 3 Brothers Lake Loop: a Roberts that Brother Rob had built for him when he lived in England; a Bob Jackson from the mid 70s ridden by Brother Tim; and my 1970 coffee Raleigh International, set up as a fixed gear.

This is the fifth year we've gathered in Clarksville for our annual bike ride, usually timed to coincide with Boydton Day, although this year they tricked us and moved it to Halloween. We brothers don't see each other that often, and the ride is a fine way to catch up and test each other's legs.

We had heavy showers in the morning, but by the time we reached the dam at mile 50, the skies had lifted. We lunched at Rose's in Boydton, where we had sandwiches and fries and a brief argument about politics. Normally we do a century, but we cut out the loop to Chase City and pulled into Clarksville with 75 miles. That turned out to be a good call. The skies opened up as we watched the lake from the balcony of the motel room.

Dinner at the Lamplighter with the bass fisherman, the goodbyes, then down the road to Raleigh.

Cowboy Mike Rides Again

When the horse throws ya, you're supposed to get right back on. Well, I've been bucking that rule for three years now.

My fixed gear threw my butt to the asphalt in 2006. Completely my fault. I stepped out of a pedal on a short but steep hill. Went right over the handlebars. Broke a finger and a rib and developed a big fat hematoma on my right knee.

I found myself blaming the bike, not the messenger. My fixie found itself parked in a dark corner of my basement, under the stairs. For three years.

But enough is enough. This weekend, I installed a better set of pedals, climbed back on and rode Black Creek 200K permanent with 12 other riders.

I'm happy to report a fine time was had by all. It was a joyous reunion of bike and rider. The day started with cool temps, the low 40s, and warmed to the high 50s by the afternoon under a mostly cloudy sky, but with sunshine and a slight headwind on the return trip. Our baker's dozen hung together for most of the day, but stretched out a bit as we neared the barn.

Once again, we timed this permanent, a fundraiser for the Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail, to coincide with Black Creek's Fall Festival. Cowboy Bob and Aflac the duck, two highlights from last year, were no-shows. A newcomer to this year's festival was Brewer's organic sausage booth. We set upon this like flies on a rib roast. The sausages were served up on a hot dog bun, topped with chili, mustard, onions and green peppers. Yes, that's a dicey gastronomical adventure at the halfway mark of any bike ride, and it apparently knocked a couple miles an hour off Byron's pace.

Special thanks to Tom B from South Carolina for making the trip up to ride with us, to Branson for the chocolate "pain" and to Jerry for the coffee, for the long pulls from Joel, to the company of relative newcomer John O, to Fearless Leader Al, who is chasing an R-12. Also congratulations to NC's newest RAAM-qualified riders, Lynn and JoAnn, who were both with us on Saturday.

A donation of $200 has been made to Friends of Mountain to Sea Trail in the name of NCBC/NC Randonneurs.

Sunday Vintage Ride Part 2

A perfect North Carolina day for cycling -- low humidity, light traffic, mild temperature no wind. Me, Byron, Geof and Brian struck out from Geof's at 8:27 sharp. When I say vintage, I'm talking threads. Check out the wool on Byron and Geof.



I took the McLean for its longest ride yet -- 55 miles through rolling hills down by the nuke-u-ler plant. I've debated changing things around, but after today I'm not sure I'll change a thing, although the derailleurs still need a bit of adjusting. It's a terrific ride just as it is, and the pizza-pan size large ring, with 54 teeth, is a conversation starter. It may come in handy when I attempt a land speed record in the salt flats.

These Sunday vintage rides have real potential. Geof pushes the pace from time to time, but there's plenty of socializing too on quiet rural roads. Ya'll pull out the bikes with the Sun Tour bar ends and join us.

NC Rider at Endless Mountains

Endless Mountains, the new kid on the U.S. 1200K schedule, is officially under way as of 4 a.m. this morning. Tar Heel rider Jerry Phelps is among the randonneurs who have lined up for this challenging event.

He called this morning to say he and a group of riders are now at Mile 82, at the Blairstown, NJ control. Skies are overcast, temps are cool, but no rain so far and all are doing great, Jerry reports. He says the route has already had a few good hills. The area sure looks lumpy in the terrain map below.


View Larger Map

Bonne route to Jerry and the rest of the Endless Mountains crew.

Sept 30, 9 p.m. update: Jerry called last night from Carbondale at around 9. He'd ridden about 170 miles and said "it's cold here, and it's been tough." He had another 34 miles to go to the overnight control, which he apparently reached at 23:03, according to this photo caption.

The Endless Mountains organizers are doing a good job with updates. You can see them here.

Update: Noon October 1. Jerry called to say he has packed it in. He said he had a rough night and did not have 200 miles in his legs for today. Jerry, we're sorry to hear that. You'll get it next time. The good news is that the organizers have one more volunteer on the route.

Tar Heels in Texas

Congratulations are in order for two Carolina randonneur women who competed in the 500-mile event at Texas Time Trials this week.

Longtime NC randonneur Caroline posted this note on her Facebook page: "Finished and showered. Ahhhh . . . 500 miles in 38 hours. We even took a couple breaks together for breakfast, etc. Great event, and great to be done."

Caroline took part in the event as part of Team Zooma.













Lynn, who began riding with the NC Randonneurs this year, placed first among the women participants, with a time of 42:07 over the 500-mile course. She is now RAAM qualified. In an e-mail, she said, "Well, I can cross the Texas event off the list as done and never to do again. Brutal brutal brutal." Lynn, we predict in a week you'll be ready for a repeat performance!



Congratulations to both, and thanks to Dallas RBA Dan Driscoll for hosting the event.

All things cycling

When you look for cycling references, you can spot em everywhere...


Like on a 300K. Here's the starting line-up. Special thanks to Tony and Ed and Jerry, and the crew that carried me home -- Branson and Joel and Tom and Kevin, and to Albert for hanging the red light.



Sunday I met Matt and few others for a ride uptown to SparkCon...



Uptown to the art show, with complimentary bicycle valet parking and lots of street art...






And some video art, with biking images....



An old friend, of Holy Smoke fame, who just bought a bike for his law school commute...he wins the weekend's cool t-shirt award.



The boys on fixies watching the skaters...



Finally, some recorded art, in the mailbox, from Chip...Mylow is out. Highly recommended.