Eastern Bloc Cycling Club
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Wed 5/6 What-cha-ma-call-it ride.
The calendar has IP and RP rides listed for tomorrow night but we are still a little up in the air on ride leaders so here's what we are going to do: The initial roll out will be 6PM sharp from the Canton commuter lot at the intersection of 202/179/44 (note the change for the traditional Wed night shop start). Please try to arrive by 5:45 as we will determine at that point if we can support separate IP and RP rides.
If we can we will divide into two groups based on preferred pace (17-20 mph for IP and 19-20+ for RP). RP will head out at 6PM. IP will roll at 6:05
The route will consist of 44W to BlackBridge Road (by the elementary school) than up 219 and around the upper res. The return from E. Hartland will be 179 the whole way. RP will pause and regroup at the Saville Dam and in E. Hartland at the traditional res loop stop where 20 and 179 meet. IP will regroup more frequently, generally at the top of each climb but that will be up the ride leader(s) and be made clear before the roll out.
If we do not have a sufficient number of riders or ride leaders to justify a split the ride will follow an IP style format with frequent regrouping.
I'll be there for whatever this ride is ?
I plan to be there. Btw 179 at speed blows. Not impossible but pretty beat up. Hopefully they pave it soon.
I will be there too. Side note ignore the two routes posted on the ride calendar. We will be riding Pats route.
Good route, good format, good work out. Thanks Ron and pat for leading.
Thanks Jeff, For anyone who was not there last night we did split into two groups with a 5 minute gap in the roll out. The front group split along the lower res and regrouped at the dam although we only had about a 30s gap. As we worked our way into the climbs we split again and regrouped at the intersection of 181 and 20. I like this route also because it's feasible to ride back up the hill at this point to reform the group rather than waiting at the stop sign and being eaten alive by the May flies. Same goes for the East Hartland stop at the top.
As it turns out, the "IP" crew was breathing down our necks up in Hartland and the two groups essentially merged by the time we were all on top. Couldn't have asked for better timing there as we were able to roll out together for the trip back down 179.
I am leaning towards keeping this route (or a slight variation of it) as the May RP/IP route based on last night's success on what historically has been a challenging ride to organize. Please feel free to chime in for or against.
Pat
The ride worked the way it is supposed to work last night. The IP group picked up a couple riders that headed out with the RP group to get a bit of a head start and there was a substantial amount of pace line riding for all participants on the flat sections. Everyone was encouraged to ride the hills as hard as they wanted and soft pedal while regrouping.
Once the word get out, I think we will get additional participation.
Ron
I agree with Jeff, Pat and Ron's comments. As far as the route goes, if we're going to ride the Res loop, I vote for the route we've been riding. I support keeping RT 181 as part of the loop versus some of the other options that were mentioned. RT 181 has a good shoulder that allows and often encourages the "RIP" riders to work/chase together.
Steve