The forecast held true with perfect weather, starting at about 50 degrees without a cloud in the sky almost all day, ending at 70 degrees. For the past several rides I have been training with the same group of friends for last weekend’s Dirty Pecan. It was a nice change of pace getting back to riding without knowing who is going to show up for your ride.
Mike from Bham told me he was coming as soon as I threw it out a few weeks back. My buddy Gary got his friend Heath, local to Bankhead, to come ride with us, and Ian from Huntsville showed up. I passed Ian right after he left on bike from Speake school while I was still driving in to Brushy Lake. I gave him the whole lane as I passed and gave him a quick toot but had no idea he was riding in to join us.
I didn’t have correct change for parking but had also neglected to mention in my post that $5 cash is needed for parking. I put a 20 in and told Heath and Mike to grab the next two parking tags, put them on their cars and cross their fingers. No one needed water when we got there so I didn’t check the spigot but did notice that the bathroom building was locked.
As Heath and Mike were still getting ready Ian rolled in on his bike and I recognized him from Speake. He appears to be 20 yrs younger than the rest of us and in great shape, so I was glad he rode in. I think he might have ended up with over 100, while we all got 66 in.
All three of these guys didn’t have a percentage of body fat between them. I kept calling them the matchstick men in my head. I knew they could all pull a faster pace than me, so I let them know they should be comfortable to get what they want out of it. I was planning on surviving at 14mph and let them know that I would be totally happy out here enjoying the scenery solo. They were kind enough to keep an eye on me through the rest stop at Warrior Mountain Trading Post.
We stopped at mile 30 at Bethel Church and refilled some water. At mile 33 we crossed the bridge. I had told the guys about the wide gaps in the runner boards, and to ride the middle, but had forgotten that two of the cross beams in the center had fallen last time. I got there ahead of them and saw that now there were 4 4’ long 4x4s (4x4x4x4?) laying in the center between the running board over the gaps. I would say that the bridge is no longer bike rideable. Ian had asked me at the beginning of the ride about the name and I told him that it was a double entendre, first that the creek that it runs over is actually called troublesome creek, and second that I had seen it claim the helmets of those that were not prepared for the running board gaps. Yes, let’s walk this one until fixed.
We enjoyed Warrior Mountain Trading Post together at mile 50. After that, I let them keep their pace going and I enjoyed the scenery ending up with a solid 14 versus their almost 16. My goal was 13.5-14, so I was happy. That nice long climb at the end was so much more bearable having not killed myself out there all day.
I didn’t have a problem with any of the dogs except the last one near the top of the last climb about 4 miles from the end. It was a big white and tan mastiff looking dog, and he was the first dog that did not react to my yells in a long time. My first kick back missed, and I had forgotten to keep pedaling with the other foot and had slowed down. Looking forward and thinking quickly, I rode through the center of a big puddle on the right side of the road. I looked over my shoulder and saw that he was pulling back, avoiding getting wet, and done with the chase.
When I got back to the car Heath and Mike were still hanging out. It was another great day on bikes with friends. Thanks for coming!