Putting the Tar in the Tar Heel 200, March 27, 2010

Great news for Tar Heel 200 Permanent riders who last year amassed over 8,500 miles on their bikes between Benson and Tar Heel, NC. Anyone who has ridden the route knows that by far the most uneven pavement is located on River Road in Bladen County.

In mid-winter, there had been hints that River Road might be getting resurfaced. Those of us who regularly ride the route hoped it was true and not just wishful thinking.

Andy was the first to notice the possibility in the middle of February, when he noticed blacktop shoulders had been added. In a hilarious spoof, he referred to them as "bike lanes." He also pondered whether it was a harbinger of a badly needed resurfacing project. A spoof is one thing, but don't tease us, Andy!

A week later, I noticed a short stretch of road which was completely resurfaced as well as a slew of paving vehicles lined up alongside the road. Could it be true? We certainly hoped so.

Well, yesterday I got a first-hand view of the progress. Maria had floated an inquiry in my direction to ride Saturday. It turns out we had different but mutually compatible goals. Maria was hoping to test her fleche bicycle, while I was hoping for a riding buddy with whom to get in some more pre-fleche practice miles. As we approached the Bladen County line, I couldn't believe my eyes. Was it a mirage? Had the road been widened and resurfaced?

Later on down the road, we approached the crew in the middle of resurfacing even though it was a Saturday.

The sleek new pavement has got to be good for an additional 2-3 mph with the noticeably reduced rolling resistance.

It appears that the new layer of asphalt is about three inches thick. With ever the eye of the artist, Maria commented that the only thing that would be missed would be the tar snakes.

The possiblity of doing a night-ride this summer (mentioned by Andy) has greatly increased, since cyclists need not be concerned about rough pavement.

I borrowed the lead-in picture from the River City Cycling Club of Elizabeth City, NC.

Next up? The North Carolina fleche followed by the Morrisville (Raleigh) brevet series.

Thanks for the entertaining company, Maria. I probably would not have ridden yesterday alone.

Let's ride!

Tar Heel 200 . . . Well, Blue Devils Too, February 20, 2010

When Jack informed me two weeks ago that he and a couple of his riding buddies wished to ride the Tar Heel 200 today, how did he know amid the streak of poor riding weather we’ve been experiencing of late that today would be a perfect weather day for riding? As it turned out, I just couldn’t resist riding along.

Even these cowgirls whom I’d just passed couldn’t resist hitching up for a ride today along Stedman-Cedar Creek Rd.

Nine enthusiastic randonneurs turned out for the Tar Heel 200 Permanent and would experience a thirty-degree temperature warm-up under mostly sunny skies.

The route was new to four riders and it would mark the longest-ever ride for one: congratulations, Steve!

Also, quietly taking care of business,

Janis records her R-11 today! Congratulations! We’ll celebrate next month when you bag number 12!

It was too cold to pull off the gloves to take pictures until we reached the first control. But it was just in time to catch the smack talk which began in earnest. Apparently, the fact that the name of the route included “Tar Heel” provided just enough spark and the fact that we are fast approaching March . . . All North Carolinians know what that means . . .

Wayne drew first blood,

exhibiting his UNC cycling jersey. It escalated from there with Steve showing off his Duke jersey.

Order was finally restored when Alan jumped in . . .

. . . with his official NC Randonneurs jersey. Alan won the jersey contest as determined by the highly partisan judge. Thanks to all the contestants for their show of team spirit and good sportsmanship.

After collecting their prize money, all of the contestants made nice and rode together for the next 111 miles without incident. No one got sprayed with HALT!

Wayne and Steve are even seen hanging out together dining on scrumptious convenience-store gourmet in downtown Stedman over a gallon of vodka.

Speaking of jerseys, here’s Bob with the original wool jersey that will never go out of style. If it weren't for this jersey, there would be no retro!

Bryan shows his wool as well, including wool cycling cap. Until just now, I didn't know that Mt Dew was Italian.
Now something for our loyal RTP readers: a little quiz about randonneuring. The reader is asked to pick the statement from the following pair which truly characterizes randonneurs. For true randonneuring aficionados, this will be easy. For others, we’ve provided helpful hints in the form of pictures. We’ve also phrased the questions in such a way that novices can respond correctly.

Statement one: Randonneurs prefer to ride in pelotons.

Hint: Is this a true peloton or merely a double paceline?

Statement two: “Preternaturally calm and lushly-bearded randonneur types” has been used to describe our species.

Hint: This is a picture of preternaturally calm and lushly-bearded randonneur types.

If you chose the second statement which accurately describes some randonneurs, you are truly an aficionado of the sport! The actual quote comes from here:

If New York City were truly bike-friendly there would be a "freak-out tent" at least every ten blocks, and they would be staffed by preternaturally calm and lushly-bearded randonneur types who would gently talk you down after distressing encounters such as this.

For your effort and undying devotion to the sport, you win a free on-line subscription to RTP. All you have to do is log on occasionally to receive all of the updates.

Andy alerted us the fact that there have been upgrades to River Rd in Bladen County, namely, an asphalt shoulder. Could it be that there are plans to resurface this stretch to the Tar Heel Ferry Rd turnoff?

This is what it would look like if it were paved!

As compared to this . . .

Note that Mike still prefers the “old” pavement here to the newly paved shoulder. I noticed most riders did.

Returning to Benson, everyone is in a festive mood. Thanks to Jack (in yellow) for orchestrating the ride.

Thanks for the company today, guys.

Let’s ride!

From Frost to Frivolity: Tar Heel 200, Nov 7, 2009

I’ll skip the story part of the ride, since there are so many divergent and contested views of the events that transpired. I’ve decided instead to provide the only true evidence of the alleged incidents. After all, photoshopped pictures don’t lie.

Ron likes a glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut with his morning coffee. Problem is, judging by the above picture, it appears that he literally drove his car through the drive through window on the way to the start.

When Ron and I pulled into a couple of parking spaces near Burger King, Sridhar was already at the scene. In all, a group of six of us rolled out of Benson at 7 AM into a cool, slight headwind toward Dunn with the promise of a 30-degree temperature increase and an afternoon tailwind to bring us home.

Someone said that I had promised an afternoon tailwind. Mike O dissented, asserting that I had “guaranteed” one. And so we set to parsing the meanings of “predicted,” “promised,” and “guaranteed.”

Who was this cast of characters? Characters, indeed. There was Alan, Maria, Mike O, Ron, Sridhar, and me.

The main character, Mike O, was off the front most of the day. I've learned a lot about riding from this former New York City bicycle courier. He and Byron have the best eyes in the business for spotting wildlife.


Here's Maria, completing her second 200km in as many months. What a fast learner. If she keeps up this pace, soon I'll be learning from her! Off topic, if you have a physics question, bring it to her.


Sridhar cruising somewhere between Stedman and Cedar Creek. The reason he’s smiling? He’s elated to hear that we’re not turning down Turnbull, or some such, road. It's always a pleasure to ride with Sridhar. Last year, I think we did 1000km together on RUSA/ACP events. While Sridhar and I have talked hours on Russian culture, I learned just yesterday during the ride that he knows German! Zut alors! (Pardon my French).


Then there’s this lowdown guy, Ron. Is he going uphill? I thought this route was flat! You can't go wrong riding his Permanent in historic Tidewater Virginia, which I've ridden twice.


Our “Fearless Leader” Alan with Maria.

Finally, Alan has to put up with me extolling the benefits of aqua purely and shamlessly for the camera.

Now back to the ride, itself.

Riders outside the Erwin control.

A kindred spirit on a townie checks us out. He’s probably thinking we have cool bicycles but funny clothes.

There were signs of a thaw by the time we reach Stedman. Doing Clark Kent-Superman phone booth impersonations, riders wriggled out of top layers emerging as Super Heroes.


If you ever need a Super Hero who can “Ride, Eat, and Sleep,” you’re in luck. Just call Alan, an “NC Randonneurs” Super Hero. Alan already commuted 160 miles to work this week. Hmm . . . with this ride today, that's 285 miles in one week! If you want to go to Paris in two years, ride along with Alan. You'll learn a lot, and I'm sure he'll love the company (Just don't make me commute with you to work, Alan!).


A peek at North Carolina agriculture: is this where shredded wheat comes from?


Hey (or is it hay?), I think this dude was working in the loft of the barn, although I couldn't be sure. We were too far away to see into the loft window.


Also of agricultural interest, we notice that they’ve begun to harvest the cotton on some of the fields near Averasboro.

There was quite a bit of activity at the Jambaas Ranch today: a canine contest. The term “Dog Show” just doesn’t seem to fit the persona of these pooches.

Pit bulls! Every (hundred) one of ‘em!

Nice doggie (I hope the leash and that fence hold!).

Alan and Ron see P-B-P on the horizon in 2011. Both riders reported significant milestones today. Ron logged his 6,000th mile of the year, while Alan surpassed 4,000 miles largely since May. I also believe that Mike O has a string of five consecutive months of rides for his R-12 as does Alan. [note: See comments below. Mike O actually has eight consecutive months of riding a 200km or longer RUSA/ACB brevet.]

On the topic of equipment, the brightness of Ron’s new LED battery powered headlight drew several oohs and aahs.

Riding my Permanent for the first time, Ron provided a fresh pair of eyes, noting that a road sign had been turned ninety degrees. I'm making a note on the cue sheet and contacting the NCDOT. Thanks, Ron. Such advice will benefit out-of-staters who do not know the route.

How cool is it cruising downtown Benson at dusk?

After tethering our bicycles, we regroup across the street at Subways for some camaraderie, banter, food, drink, and tales. The best part of the ride?

Members of the group motivated by the R-12 Award and the upcoming 2010 brevet season announced that they are looking forward to riding a Permanent in December.

Variety Six-Pack: Tar Heel 200 Permanent, October 4, 2009

The variety six-pack? There they are—Tarheel riders this past Sunday at the turn-around contrôle in Tar Heel, NC—(from left to right) John, Andy, Dean, Gary, Janis, and Maria.

Why the grin on my face? The photographer was an absolute hoot. The impromptu team photo was snapped by a lady who was apparently taken by our brightly clad group hanging out in Tar Heel. Spotting the camera in my hand, she volunteered to take our group picture. She “barked” feigned orders for us to hurry and get lined up so that she could be on her way and attend to the rest of her pressing obligations. Later, “Miss Congeniality” bade us farewell and wished for us a safe journey.

Mid-week last week, the only thing I knew for certain was that I was going to ride my Permanent come Sunday. The only question was whether anyone else would be able to come out and play. A couple of regular riding buddies had other commitments. Although riding Permanents, like fly fishing, ranks high on my list of enjoyable solo activities, if given a choice, unlike fly fishing, I’d rather ride with others.

Sometimes organizing a ride can be as spontaneous as falling into a game of pick-up basketball. The main ingredient of course is someone itching to play. The weather was also a co-conspirator Sunday and, for some, the hunt for the R-12 Award. Additionally, by signing up for a 2010 RUSA membership in October, two new riders were benefitting from a free RUSA membership for the remaining three months of 2009.

In response to my mid-week call to ride, I became more excited with each inquiry. In truth, I was expecting perhaps one other rider besides myself.

Well before the 7 AM start, one could find five vehicles in close proximity all parked on E Church St behind Burger King and in front of Subway’s in Benson. Riders introduced themselves as most had never ridden together. Then we were off. One rider has provided a great account of the ride located here with a wonderful storyline. My account, which follows, is more of a picture scrapbook.

Morning sunrise as we head toward Dunn. Soon we will be waking. The only creatures awake at this time of the morning are crowing roosters and barking dogs.



Gary, Janis, and Maria on a cotton morning.


Gary, Janis, Maria, Andy, and John near Godwin, NC.

Anatomy of a randonneur. Work gloves and work shoes, Andy gets the blue-collar, lunch-pail award. Talk about looking at old problems in new ways, I’m stealing his idea of attaching a small saddlebag up front, and writing an article about it. Don’t tell him!

Andy again, this time at the Stedman contrôle. Since joining RUSA earlier this year, Andy’s ridden a Permanent every month. I finally got to ride with him. What a sense of humor! Looking forward to many more rides with him and reading his ride accounts.

Super Randonneur Gary is certainly a friend of local cycling and cyclists as an officer of the North Carolina Bicycle Club (NCBC). Which reminds me: the NCBC is hosting its Fall Rally and Picnic Lunch this coming Sunday. I’ve enjoyed Gary’s company on several rides and conversations on a variety of subjects. His mild-manner demeanor belies an intense determination. I’m still mad at him though for beating me in our “sprint” to the Cumberland County line sign on the way back from Tar Heel. I guess my end of the conversation just before the incident just wasn’t engaging enough.

One intrepid lady, can you believe Janis used to commute while in Charlotte? With her plaid skirt, she’s set a new standard for randonneuring wardrobe. Since joining RUSA, Janis has a string of seven consecutive months of riding Permanents!

One of RUSA’s newest members, here’s John. Although he just received his RUSA number, John rode Alan’s 200km Anniversary brevet in August. I’m indebted to him for alerting me to a slight wobble in my rear Gatorskin tire that I thought I might have corrected by remounting it 180 degrees. Look for John on more brevets. Chasing each other, he and Gary were the first to reach the penultimate contrôle.

Maria won the coolest jersey award with her Old Kentucky Home Tour jersey. The Tar Heel 200 Permanent marked her longest one-day ride. Congratulations, Maria! I enjoyed our conversation on science education and the mention of Cincinnati chili. I’m sure she has an informed opinion or two about Xavier, Cincinnati, and Kentucky basketball. By the way, a lot of thought went into the urban background configuration for this shot in order to bring out the green, silver, and skyness of the jersey.

Break time under a Spanish-moss covered tree near Tar Heel, NC.

John impressing us with his tube changing talent at the penultimate control in Erwin. When John applied the CO2 cartridge, we noticed a coat of ice forming on the valve stem. The obvious question is: Why? When our inquiring minds turned to Maria the physics teacher for an answer, without batting an eye, she responded that it was an application of the ideal gas law: pV = nRT. Any more questions, people?

I’m thinking that if there were enough interest (meaning Alan served enough home brew) we could have a bicycle-related science seminar at one of our monthly NCBC meetings. Byron could bring some water snakes, I could bring some woolly worms, and Maria could take bicycle physics questions from the audience like why a moving bicycle doesn’t tip over. Heck, even this guy might show up at the seminar.

Haven’t I seen him somewhere before? On a RUSA or NCBC ride?

Cotton crop on Old Fair Ground Rd after clearing Dunn.

Cotton sunset.

I had a fun time and was glad that I got to meet and ride with each of the riders. Ya’ll made my day!

Speaking of fun times, looking forward, you’ll not want to miss Mike D’s Showdown in Black Creek Permanent on October 17th, which coincides once again with the annual Festival in Black Creek, NC. Bug him for ride details. Here is Mike’s hilarious account of last year’s ride.

Let’s ride, soon!