Saturday Tow Path to Grand Rapids Breakfast Ride

"9 snow ninjas showed up for yesterday's mild temperature (34 degree average while we rode) Tow Path ride.  Friday night's light snow and brisk wind made for treacherous conditions as we had to deal with deep drifts several times.  The drifts resulted in 7 unintentional snow angels in the deep soft snow and more than a few chuckles.  The Tow Path was rideable only as far as the boat launch.  We then rode into Waterville for an enjoyable breakfast at Koral... " -Rick Metcalf

I suck!  I have no power and got dropped at every hill.

That said, Hubert and Dirk were kind enough to ride with me.  While the Tow Path was challenging, I had a good time.  We encountered lots of ice under the snow in route to River Road which itself was clear.  Most of the Tow Path was covered in light snow and many areas as deep as 3 or more inches deep.  I quickly realized that I was better off breaking trail than following someone else's track.  But alas I too fell to the risk of this winter madness resulting in my first "snow angle."  Rode with Jimmie, Chris, Hubert, Rick, Matt, Dirk, Todd, and one other.  We ended the ride pushing Matt and his truck out of the deep snow where he had parked on the side of Jerome Rd where he met up with us for the ride.

Weather Conditions: 0901 hours. Cold, overcast and some partial cloudiness with strong winds from 9.2 to 17.3 mph mostly from the west. Wet road spray.
Min: 30 Max: 32 ºF

MXS: 23.9 mph.

Saturday Breakfast (Lunch) Ride

This Saturday was to be the ride to Tony Packo's for lunch via the recently opened trail across the old 280 bridge (Craig Bridge).  If it snowed Friday night, the plan was to do a MTB ride instead.  However, while it had only snowed a skiff, the general consensus was to ride within Monclova.

Matt was in need of warm toes so I gave him a spare set of chemical toe warmers.  Hubert was ever present as was Rick.  Chris was there too along with Jimmie and I.  And  so the six of us set off for our winter adventure westward down the Wabash Cannonball - North Fork.  While it was moderately cold and quite cloudy there was little wind and I found myself able to "run with the pack."  For that I was grateful! The plan was to ride a similar route as two weeks ago but to capture 25 miles or greater without the need to run circles in the Monclova School parking lot.  I am impressed with how well Rick and Hubert know the various roads and possible routes to reach a 25 mile ride.

We then went south into Oak Openings and proceeded with the real fun where we hit a trail deep with soft snow.  Past petal and fast shifts into granny gears ensued but to no avail.  We all scrambled but failed to stay seated and had to dismount.  Rick, however, made it to the end of the soft snow only to get shanghaied by his petal and a pile of hard snow left from a snow plow weeks earlier causing him to "snow angel."  The rest of us walked out until we got to the firmer ground.

The remainder of the ride proved mostly uneventful; lots of fun zipping around on the loose but less than deep snow.  At a couple of points we crossed pasts with Cathy walking Duke and Sugar.  As we blew past she remarked on our nerd-like appearance.    We continued out of the park to east bound Obee Road and then south to N. Texas into town for a toe warmer at Cycle Works.   Then west on the South Fork to Yawber Rd to Archbold Whitehouse Rd to Jeffers Rd back into the park.  The path to the route out of the park was missed by all except myself due to me drafting the others and being able to turn in time and thus I led the way out.  The last major turn to the last section required a hard left threw some soft snow.  I was ahead so I could turn with some ease but the rest of the guys had more difficulty due to a tighter pact.  Later, Jimmie said he would send pics of his road-rash having taken a spill at that way point.

The route back to Monclova via the North Fork was as usual; a faster pace.  Matt and I led most of the way until the rest of the guys pushed ahead where I was dropped (per usual) just after Weckerly Rd within 2 miles of the end of the ride.

It was a fun ride and while a little faster and wetter thanks to warmer temperatures causing road spray, I was warmer and am already looking towards the next one. 

MXS: 17.5 mph.

Weather Conditions: 0911 hours. Cold and Overcast. Mostly westerly winds light around 3.5 mph starting out increasing steadily to around 13.8 mph.

Min: 27 Avg: 28 Max: 30 ºF

Hubert's TAB Saturday Morning Fat-tire Ride

Yah...so this is the 2nd ride of the new year; a tad warm than the last. Dropped the Hound off at Doggie-Day-Care prior to the meet; Chris, Jimmie, Rick, et al. Hubert offered his extra helmet; I had left mine in the garage. Go figured.


We started off and I realized I had not adjusted the helmet so I pulled over to do so. Then attempted to catch up and WAM; a brutal wind out of the west. Worse was the gusts.  I could not catch up and the guys after a while notice how far back I had fallen and waited for me. We continued on and the second clearing to the south pummeled me further. Hubert took pity and suggested I stay in a pocket that they would make to shelter me from the wind. Ayup; weak ass! The wind had once again kicked my butt. (See Hubert's Birthday Ride: 73 miles for 73 years last October 24th.)


We pressed on and rode to the shelter in Oak Openings off the North Fork and Route 64. There, I adjusted the MTB seat post up an inch; I had not made further adjustments since I had gotten the Cervélo and it made a world of difference.


Next, Hubert lead us back about a mile to begin the off trail section (as it were)of the morning into Oak Openings. This was going to be "way cool". I had not ridden any bike in the snow and with a MTB it was "no fear", baby! The pace was snappy and winding and got really interesting on the assents loosing rear wheel traction using too low a gear or on the descents while slipping and sliding while turning or breaking. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience while staying mostly warm and am looking forward to more of the same. Truth-to-tell, the park trail ride was just too short.


The remainder of the ride back to Monclova School was a quick pace and even with the wind behind us found the warmth in my feet fleeting to the point of no return.  Hubert took us an additional short distance to Jerome Rd to reach the desired 25 miles and I was glad it was over. Again, the wind and frozen toes.


MXS: 16.7 mph.



Weather Conditions: 0900 Cold and overcast. The wind out of the WSW was bruital; 21.9 mph falling to 17.3 mph by the end of the ride.
Min: 28 Max: 30 ºF

Wabash Cannonball - Long Loop with TAB

The ride followed the Wabash Cannonball to the east from Monclova Elementary School consisting of Mike and Jacqueline, Hubert, Chris, Jim and myself. Hubert road his recumbent trike.

It was my first ride of the year and it was a good ride. While the pace was a little slow it was also my first ride in over 2 months and I was more than a little curious as to how well (or poorly) I might ride.

That said, the warm sun help against the cold breeze. I dressed as best I could and included my balaclava. Feet and hands were cold but I felt ok elsewhere. After about 20 minuets or so my hands and feet warmed up perhaps due to my core having warmed up sufficiently.

Once on County Rd 1 the ride got colder mostly due to less sun. The same going east on Reed and through Oak Opening to the North Fork; "frozen toezen".

Anyway, given a 24 ºF ride, I found it not all that bad and am looking forward to more.

MXS: 20.4 mph.



Weather Conditions: 1300 hours. Partly to mostly cloudy and cold. Winds mostly WNW from 3.5 to 6.9 mph.
Min: 24 Avg: 25 Max: 27 ºF

Hubert's Birthday Ride: 73 miles for 73 years.

The day began as a fun ride from Monclova School to Wildwood via Albon Rd and King Rd to pick up more riders onward to Metamora via Brint Road (later County Rd T) and North US-64 for breakfast returning via Secor Park via County Rd 6 to County Rd T.

The ride was fine until about a mile or two from Metamora where I got dropped due to high winds; I could no longer draft.  A break occurred during breakfast.

The ride out of town was just as difficult, again due to the the winds.  Got dropped from the two faster groups and rode alone all the way to Secor park.

Three riders about a half mile ahead of me lead me to go south on County Rd N from south bound Counrty Rd 6.  I figured "N" was Bancroft since I was 1 country road or a mile south of US-20 or Central Ave.  Secor Park would be somewhere ahead once I cross back into Lucas County.

Rode into the park and followed the drive all the way to Central Ave.  Turned around to avoid that route back to Monclova.  Decide I would pedal back to the Bancroft entrance.  I figured I would just head out on my own returning to Monclova.

Halfway back into the park I came across the last group who I apparently had been ahead of; Hubert who had been riding next to me on County Rd 6 had left my side.  I didn't know there was yet a third group.
I turn around to join and follow them to the rest of the group resting.

Left via Wolfinger Rd to Bancroft St to Centennial Rd to Angola Rd returning to Albon Rd to Monclova School.  I got dropped again on Albon just north of Garden Rd and finished the ride last.
So...group riding is great as long as you don't tired and get dropped.

I did not continue with the Sunday afternoon group ride from Monclova School which would have completed Hubert's Birthday Ride; 73 miles for 73 years.  I would only have gotten dropped again and the ride benefit of drafting would not have been there making for a miserable hour and a half.

Weather Conditions: Started out cool warming throughout the ride. Cloudy changing to clear skies. SSW winds at 6.9 mph increasing during the ride to a max of 19.6. Gusts to 24.2 mph. It was a beautiful day for a ride in the country.
Min: 63 Max: 72 ºF

TAB Monday Evening Group Ride

A quick unofficial post-season ride with TAB. It was fun and cool how we all rode in high-visability colors. Jimmie, Dave, Cindy and *. I would have preferred another 10 miles!

That said, I did pull for a short time; about 10 mins. That was cool but I was having to work too hard. I I guess I have a long ways to go to become a stronger rider.

***More intervals, please!!!***

MXS: 22.0 mph.