Week 9, 80 miler, 15 mph — Rain out!

Oh no! It’s raining and the forecast is for rain almost all day.  The radar looks like rain.  We postponed the ride until Sunday.   Sunday was even worse than Saturday.  A total washout.  I’ve missed the 70 and 80 mile ride and with rain forecast for the whole week there is no chance of getting some miles in.  I’m in pretty bad shape to do 100 after missing the last big two and grinding out the whole season with a bad hip that won’t cut me much slack.

The season started out so well, no flats, no wind nice weather.  Well most of the folks in the group (all of them really) will be able to do it.   I,  on the other hand will be pushing my luck.  We ended up with three weather cancellations.

Well, right now the forecast for Saturday is 72 and sunny with a light west wind — doesn’t get much better than that!  Guess I’ll try to tough it out.  Perfect conditions for the beginners!

See you Friday night for the pasta dinner — I’m still in good enough shape for that!

Week 8, 70 miler, 15 mph —

Imagine being in the city on a beautiful spring day and not doing the 5 Boro Bile Tour!

This week the ride moves to an 8:00 start.  That means I’m setting the alarm for 6:30.  I never will be known as a morning person.  The phone rang at 6:00 am and I was up late doing the blog the night before!  It was not a rider asking if we’re on but my friend who was anxiously awaiting the call to come into the city for a kidney transplant.  I had happily accepted the role of driver a few years back, fully knowing the call could come at any time of the night!

You know what kind of day it is going to be when you start off with a flat in the parking lot.

It seems I missed an eventful ride.  We made up for an almost flat free training season in one day!

Dina picked a bad day to join us. She and Jane wouldn't be laughing for long!

If you have to get a flat, it might as well be at Momma Lombardy's

I don't recognize the location of the next flat!

We gather in the Wildwood.

Well Lunch at Wildwood State Park is always fun — especially on a nice day!  We have actually had snow on the Wildwood ride.  You never can tell about Spring on Long Island!   Josie called me to tell me the ride was about two hours behind schedule and to see how the transplant was going.  Unfortunately that was also delayed.

The headwaters of the Peconic. You would drive right past in your car. Thanks Evie and Lori for the photos!

Super Mario! aka MA-RE- O Speedwagon!

Carl Hart Bicycles was an unintended stop on the ride today.  Riders purchased a few tires, tube and other parts as the ride passed through Middle Island.  Later Mario’s axel broke.  He called home fora ride.  They drove to to Carl Hart and Mario rejoined the ride with a new rear wheel.  Those bike riders are crazy!

About 6:30 I got back from the City and decided to go out to find my wife.  More time was spent fixing bikes then riding today!

I caught up with the group in time to photograph the final couple of legs on LI Ave.

Troopers!

Almost home!

Everyone will do the 100 — Two weeks to go!