3 Generations of MTBNJ
Firsts are always memorable, like first day of school, first beer, first lay and first rides of the season. Sunday was one to add to the list of firsts that go down as memorable.
I met 26er and Bard Sunday at the 50 mile Marty's ride that was billed as a Hell of Hunterdon prep ride. As we headed out I'd say we had about 25 cyclists bundled up in winter gear to battle hills, dirt roads and 30 degree temperatures. This was a no drop ride and the pace was not blistering, although the climbs did hurt and everything felt like an effort in the last 10 miles.
Just when I was thinking we were doing well as a group to have no mechanicals in 20 miles, 4 people got flats within the next 45 minutes. These rest periods were welcome, as most of us were not in 50 mile shape at this point in the season.
The dirt roads were not many but the ones we rode on were the worst I'd ever seen, soft, muddy, rutted, and crater pot holes. In a large group, spotting these obstacles and avoiding them is tricky, luckily no one got hurt. The climbs at the end did break the group, I found myself with 3 other cyclists holding on for the last 7 miles. 26er was solo, slightly ahead of us in no mans land. Bard was mid pack foder behind me wishing he was still in Florida. Towards the end a ride like this becomes everyman for himself...even though its supposed to be a no drop intermediate ride. Enough folks knew the loop so everyone made it back to the shop fine.
I limped back to the shop with the 3 other riders as the 3 hr. mark appeared on my Garmin. Looking at my data, the numbers don't show any great efforts or pace. However since I have done no riding over the winter my percieved effort was a lot higher. This was a good training ride and a damn fun social one as well...one to remember.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/462568026
Shout out from the Heckler to Pearl. Can I get a fuck you?
