Week 2 — 30 miler, 11 mph

We got a decent turnout for a cold beginner ride! The bike is on the trainer for a demonstration

Well we always wonder what’s going to happen on week 2.  The temperature is about half of what it was the week before.   Temperatures in the low 30’s in the first couple of weeks of the beginner rides can knock the group down to just a few riders.  I always wished the 100 could be a couple of weeks later, because riders have to be committed to come out on a day like this… or as most normal people would say “they should be committed if they ride 30 miles on a day like this!”

Lori's Ligiment

We got a pretty good sized group for a cold day.  A few did drop out from the prior week.  As the group gathered, we noticed Lori’s leg cast — some kind of ligament damage — but she rode like a trooper.  There that committed dilemma again!

We weren't sure if some of the riders were going to rob the train.

Normally we do lunch at another bagel place on the 30 miler, but Fred and Darren from Carl Hart Bicycles http://carlhart.com graciously offered to give us a bagel lunch.  Support your local bike shop and they will support us.  Thanks for the spread Fred.  It’s always hard to decide what cyclists like more, bikes or food, but put them both in the same place and and you’ve hit on a winning combination.  Throw in a bathroom and we’ll ride another 15!

Thanks Fred and Darren

Men in tights!

Temperatures actually started warming up by the time we were done with lunch.  Feels like another photo opp.  In years past I used to just sprint ahead of the group, get out the camera and take a picture as everyone rode by.  Now I have to ask them to give me a head start!  Still, a bad day on the bike is better than a good day at almost anything else.   I should even mention that we had no flats for two weeks in a row.  Just a couple of minor repairs, Slav’s derailleur and Audry’s seat.   We were back by 2:30… and a good time was had by all.