K-Hound Sighting: Hogan's Our Hero!

Seriously, it’s not really K-Hound season yet in North Carolina, is it? It’s still way too early. Not to mention all the recent impediments and distractions: summer heat wave, daily thunderstorms, and steady diet of obligatory Le Tour broadcasts.

I mean, has anybody really had a chance to circle a quarter of the globe since 1 January 2012? Which is what the K-Hound Award really signifies, putting 10,000 kilometers in a calendar year into perspective! We still have over five months to go, for goodness sakes!

On the other hand, we all knew it was going to happen. We just didn’t know when Mike would make it happen. He just made it happen so soon.

Consequently, we had to cancel the brass band and podium girls ordered for what we thought would be next week’s surprise, blow-out, gala celebration.

You see, five days ago—Tuesday—Mike Hogan still needed 500 kms in order to eclipse 10,000 RUSA kms for the year, thereby qualifying for the prestigious “K-Hound Award.” I thought, “No way was it going to happen this week with the daily threat of thunderstorms.”

But I’d forgotten one important point: the kid grew up in England where they only have a couple of sunshiny days a year. I think he packs a brolly somewhere inside one of his bike tubes. Sorta like Mary Poppins. Which may not be a good example, except that she is English, afterall.

Keeping us guessing as to which would be the momentous day, Mike begins his sneak attack by riding Tuesday and then four of the next five days, including today.

I get dizzy reading his ride itinerary for that period with turnaround controls the first day in Bunn, the next day in Dunn, then Dunn again, before Bunn again, and finally Dunn.

In truth, due to the impending rainy forecast, I don’t know whether I would have ridden today. I’m glad Mike provided a great reason. The cajoling helped, too. In fact, he made it a point to tell me all about the previous day’s ride and the superb breakfast he and Sridhar enjoyed in Bunn. With pictures.

In retrospect, I wish it had rained a little on today’s qualifying ride, so that I might have learned where Mike hides his brolly. Although ready with the camera, I missed its placement in the pre-dawn bike-prep this morning.

 

On behalf of all of your riding companions, congratulations, Mike, on your first of many K-Hound Awards! I hope to accompany you often.

Note to local randonneurs: if you get the chance, ride with Mike on his RUSA permanent and populaires to Chapel Hill and to Bunn.

Let’s ride!

How Clouds are Made: Tar Heel 200, June 15, 2011

The sound of Mother Nature’s siren song mid-week was overwhelming. With lyrics like: low temperatures; low humidity; cool breezes; sunshine, blue skies—how could one resist her spell?

We were not disappointed. Janis, Martin, and I were treated to a veritable show of cloud making by Mother Nature, herself.

Between Godwin and Averasboro on the return, we speculated about the nature of several white plumes reaching upward from the horizon toward the sky. Because farmers have been burning their fields of late, we wondered whether the plumes were smoke, “dirt devils” (i.e., “dust devils”), or real clouds forming, if not all three.

Martin and I stop to witness what may be actual cloud formation. When warm air ascends, it cools. Cooled water vapor condenses, forming clouds. This process of cloud formation is explained by a meteorologist here.

What a gorgeous day to be on the bikes!

Let’s ride!

Tar Heel 200 Permanent: Halloween 2010

Dear boos and ghouls, what wonderful weather for an end-of- October ride, which delayed our start a few minutes due to clothing adjustments on my part as riders patiently waited. In fact, we continued to peal off layers for the next 40 miles.

Bicycles and breakfast at the start control.

Speaking of the witching hour, Martin is surely metamorphosing into a monster. Just for the month of October, he knocked out 1,300 RUSA kilometers on the way to eclipsing 1,000 total personal miles for the month.

Monster-man Martin using all of his faculties attempting to suppress a smile.

When engaged, Lin easily took county line sprints on his recumbent projectile. Even when I jumped early, the rocket man took me down.

Although he wasn’t wearing a costume, one can easily picture Al, here, in superhero garb as Underdog.

Unfortunately, two months ago—53 days ago to be exact—Al broke his hip and collarbone in a cycling accident and was subsequently confined to a wheelchair. Just eleven days ago, Al got back on his bike. And today, he rode one hundred and twenty-five miles, completing the ride. Superhero, indeed!

Now for some Halloween pictures. Not too scary . . .

In a tightly contested race of hotair generation today, this balloon near Dunn nudges into first place.

You’ve heard of tall cotton. How about big cotton, here, near Erwin?

Finally, a “haunted” house in Erwin.

Thanks for the ride, Boos!

Let’s ride!

Tar Heel 200 Permanent: Heating it Up, 8/8/10

With forecasted highs in the low-90s for yesterday, it must have sounded something like a cold wave to an eager group of seven randonneurs riding the Tar Heel 200 Permanent out of Benson, NC. The group consisted of Cole, JayJay, Jerry, John, Isaac, Tim, and me. Here are some of the heat-seeking randonneurs at the start.

In spite of the heat index, for the most part the pace was up-tempo—as if personal tests of endurance—turning the event into a great training ride. Tim challenged first, once we turned onto Wade-Stedman Road. He streaked from the back of the pack on his single speed to the front, pulling strongly. But it was Isaac who earned the “King of the Mountain” jersey, barely nipping Cole at the crest of the bridge over I-95.

Then there was Jerry, arriving back at Benson first. Although he did not threaten the course record held by Mike D, Jerry’s time of 8:53 was respectable considering all the obstacles he had to overcome: 1) sit-down breakfast (Stedman), 2) sit-down lunch (Tar Heel), and 3) obligatory ice cream stop (Stedman). Back from his recent ride across Iowa (RAGBRAI), Jerry entertained John and me with funny stories from that event.

I finished under ten hours, time enough to haunt the Stedman and Erwin walk-in beer caves and prepare as many ice socks. Speaking of which . . . Here is the “catch of the day” shown off by John.

Somebody identified this big boy as an albino sockeye, a state record, we are told. This begs the trivia question: Which NBA player—of all time—had the biggest feet? (Here is the answer.)

We were a little disappointed that the paving at/near the Averasboro Battlefield Museum had not progressed from two weeks ago. Instead, we were treated to an authentic pre-Civil War era road? The hard-packed surface posed no problems for our bikes, and the route saved us some bonus detour miles.

I’ve been studying what makes Tim such a strong rider, and I made a few discoveries. On the one hand, Tim rides hard nearly every day. That’s got an awful lot to do with it. But there’s something else. Hint: Look closely at whose bike he’s riding. (If you can’t read Italian, just type “Basso” into an on-line Italian-English dictionary for a translation.)

Not only that. Check out his rocket propulsion system: fuel canisters disguised as drink bottles adjacent to tiny booster jets, which he rotates counterclockwise into position just before takeoff. Tim calls it his “RUSA approved CO2 turbo boost rocket launcher.” Tim’s selling the parts cash only, but not the technology.

It was great having a chance to ride with everyone, including JayJay with whom John and I had the opportunity of visiting at ride’s end over sodas. I also enjoyed getting the chance finally to ride with Cole and Isaac. Here’s to many more RUSA outings.

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!

Road Trip: Tarheels in Gainesville

Check out the brand new randonneuring poster and poster child.

Without a doubt, Lin had way too much fun in Gainesville this past weekend. When Laura turned him over to us for safe keeping, we were obviously guilty of being way too permissive. Sridhar and I apparently forgot whose turn it was to watch him.

Thing is, we’re still at a loss as to what really transpired. Did Lin take a BMX side excursion (Sridhar’s hypothesis)? Or did he and Sridhar just get into it some where along the way (my hypothesis)? For Lin’s part, he’s not talking. Could he have really gone after that gator that caught him in a stare down? If that’s the case, then not only did Lin live to not talk about it, but the understanding—What happens in Gainesville stays in Gainesville—remains intact.

Five wet NC Randonneurs at the finish of this year’s Gainesville 200km (l.- r., Alan, Dean, Mike O, Lin, Sridhar).

Owing to well-lubricated roads, triangle tarheels’ elapsed time of under 9:30 wasn’t too shabby, considering we’d taken time out for a catered lunch; lollygagged at a couple of controls; stood around “helping” change a flat and adjust a derailleur. Not to mention sundry other antics which were nothing more than veiled time-killing activities in last ditch hopes of maintaining some sort of face-saving pretension of early-season fitness.

In anticipation of what has now become almost an annual event for a few Triangle-area randonneurs, e-mails danced back and forth last week with subject lines about potential eateries, weather forecasts, and riding clothes. The same was probably true in other randonneuring enclaves sealed off by winter’s cold.

Upon awakening the morning of our ride, we brushed the sleep from our eyes, turned on the coffee pot in our room, and began munching calorie-dense scones we’d procured the previous evening from Panera Bread.

Note the really clean bikes already prepped, lining the hallway, dutifully and eagerly awaiting their riders.

All we had to do was pull on our cycling clothes and head out the door to the parking garage less than a hundred yards away where we’d join some 60 other randonneurs under bright fluorescent lights reflecting off yellow and orange rain gear in anticipation of a rainy day.

I should have suspected something when I glanced at my controle card and saw a leaping frog!

RBA Jim provided pre-ride instructions. He delivered part pep talk, part etiquette rules, part safety instructions.

I imagined hearing him say that the rain probably wouldn’t be as bad as the forecasters had predicted, not to pilfer oranges, feed the panthers, or pet the alligators. But I could be wrong. Admittedly, I should be more attentive at crucial moments like these. I get distracted by the bright lights, the vivid colors, the cool bikes, the crowd of people, my pounding heart . . .

At any rate, I distinctively heard Jim say, “It’s 7:30. Go!”

He must have said it because both Lin and Sridhar jumped out with me ahead of everyone.

We headed out of the parking garage onto SW 16 St. Our lead group of five or so was able to catch the green light at the first turn—hmm, SW 16 Ave—then two blocks later, the green light crossing over US 441. The second light pinched off the rest of the pack, which we were able to hold at bay all the way into the first control at mile 34.

Sridhar, Lin, and me heading toward the water park in Gainesville.

Membership of our small group remained in flux the first four or five miles. Three strong riders, including Lin’s friend, the affable “grand randonnée” Judith, went off the front and disappeared for good.

Our group dropped one, reeled another in, while three caught us from behind. Eventually, seven of us—Lin, Sridhar, Cory, Roger, Van, Terry and me—settled into a rotating paceline for the next 50 miles.

Here is Sridhar (yellow) and Roger, who is down from Georgia and glad to be riding in Florida. Roger said they’d been gripped by a cold spell since before January and that he was tired of ice freezing in his beard. At least the cool rain today was not freezing. Incidentally, Roger is excited about serving as a 2010 volunteer for the support crew for fellow Georgian randonneur and last-year RAAM notable, Kevin K. Go Kevin!

Our group finally pulled into the first en-route control (mile 34), where I grabbed a bottle of water and got my card signed before the horde that was chasing us descended.

Here come Phil and Woody from South Carolina; our Alan and Mike; Andy and the Georgia crowd; as well as a dozen or more folks down from Ohio; with many more to come.

Phil from South Carolina.

Alan and Mike at the first en-route contrôle.

Our original group left together, quickly forming another paceline.

Cory, Roger, Sridhar, Van, Terry . . .

Lin and cyclotourist me taking the picture.

Cory is a Floridian. Awaiting her RUSA number, this was her first-ever brevet. A strong rider, she regularly rides with a group of “tough” riders who have a habit of riding 70 miles before taking a break. Terry and Van are also from Florida.

Roger springs a flat and the paceline pulls over to “help,” or, as Sridhar says, “take a bio-break.” We learn that it’s a very tiny red-glass shard poking through his front Michelin that’s causing the problem.

Having knowingly relinquished our position, we wave to the pacelines now overtaking us, who ask if we need help.

We regroup under hazy drizzle.

Just before the lunch control, Lin needs to make a mechanical adjustment. Although Lin insists that we go ahead with the group, Sridhar and I won’t give him the satisfaction. Instead, we wish to make him suffer as a direct result of our company.

At the lunch control (mile 73), Meegan outdoes herself again this year. Cold drinks, pasta salad, and desserts await riders. Meegan personally serves each rider, constructing special-order sandwiches on the spot. Not only that, we dine on china using real silver ware, socializing with friends.

Finally with full tummies and Camelbaks, we hit the road again. Everything was mellow until we turned right onto NW 32 Ave at mile 94. What happened next I’m not exactly sure, but by the time we made a left just a mile and a half later, it was all over, and Lin looked like he’d just been crowned BMX champion.

A little later, Sridhar, Lin, and I were joined by a group of five-or-so cyclists at an intersection who were awaiting some “wheels.” We gathered they meant us, when they fell in right behind us.
Just before entering the last en-route control at mile 106, we heard the clap of thunder. That meant that in addition to donning reflective gear and riding with lights for the last 20 miles due to the darkening sky, we’d also don rain gear. Alan and Mike pulled in after us, so we decided to wait for them and ride together as a group the last leg of the journey, Team Tarheel.

No more pictures. It was time to seal the camera inside a plastic baggie and place the baggie inside my pannier out of the rain for the remainder of the ride.

A shame, since for me at least, the last leg was the most memorable—five buddies riding through the countryside in the rain, through the puddles: kids on bicycles in the spring rain.

After arriving back at the hotel, signing and relinquishing our contrôle cards and showering, we set about the business of deciding what and where we were going to eat. Having had Mexican the night before, we settle on Thai over animated conversation of the day’s events and past rides.

The name, Yo A, is mentioned more than once across the weekend. Highly fitting since Adrian “pioneered” the Gainesville trek for Triangle folks.

Eight hours in a car to Gainesville. Ten hours on a bike. Eight hours in a car to Raleigh. Eight hours is too long to spend in a car. —Adrian Hands, 2008


Securing bikes the next morning for the return trip in the squinty sun, the locals had witnessed a little taste of legendary Alan’s rain-making prowess on the previous day.

Here’s hoping for a return trip! Thanks to Jim and Meegan for hosting another spectacular event and for making us out-of-towners feel special!

Congratulations to Mike O, who with this ride is now within a couple of months of his R-12. For me, the ride represents R-36.

Let’s ride!

Tar Heel 200: The Three Rs Edition

Scheduling necessary R-12 rides in December around the weather and seasonal commitments can be a balancing act with the push and pull of compromise. A few days back, when Andy announced he was going to ride, four more of us jumped, in part because we knew we would have some great company.

Most normal people never even entertain the idea of winter riding. That was definitely me prior to randonneuring. It also explains the expressions on the faces of small groups of people sitting over hot, steaming coffee and toasty egg McMuffins awed by randonneurs donned in reflective gear readying to be swallowed up by the 6:30 AM darkness and the 22°F “feels like” temperature on the other side of the window separating normalcy from adventure. RandonneursЯUs!

You might be wondering about the rationale of a 6:30 AM start time. Obviously, Chef Andy had something special in mind. After all, this was supposed to be a “winter” ride. Part science, part culinary art, Andy’s appetizer called for the coldest part of day and a dash of darkness. For entertainment, we were treated the first mile to the festive Holiday city lights as we cruised down Main Street in Benson. The main dish included overcast skies and a slight headwind for the glutinous 62-mile return leg. The ambiance couldn’t have been better: temperatures hovered all day in the 30s and we weren’t bothered by the sun until 3 PM. Vaseline rather than sunscreen. Our compliments to Chef Andy for such a satisfying experience!

One can imagine that the three Rs referred to in the title are all about the basics of winter riding like clothing, lighting, hydration, and caloric intake, for example. True, we did discuss those things from time to time. But “the three Rs” refer in this case to R-9, R-11, and R-12.

But let me start at the beginning. Dr. John is heading to New Zealand for an extended stay. Helping him pack, we’d uncoupled his new Surly Travelers Check and had stuffed both it and him into a kiwi crate for shipment. But he begged us to let him and his bike out for just one last spin before he departed.

It seems he had some unfinished business—namely, the completion of his second R-12!

Well, he got ‘er done today. Congratulations, Dr. John!

Although John was the big winner, there were also two other winning Rs today: R-9 and R-11. Janis, Andy, and Jerry completed R-9s, while I completed R-11.

To say that Jerry completed his R-9 today is a tad misleading, since he actually extended his streak to R-45, closing in on an amazing fourth consecutive R-12!

By the way, Janis and Andy both officially completed their 2,000th kilometer today in just nine short months since joining RUSA. Congratulations!

Thanks for the company!

Let’s ride!