Wednesday May31st "Those Lazy,Hazy Days of....what it's still spring?"

Hard to believe we were cycling around rain and strong winds not long ago and now it's like August.We had seven for today's ride and they were magnificent .Fran,Olga,Chris,Jukka,Duke,JohnD,and myself.Did the TabernacleThirty-plus for a distance of 34.2miles completed in3hours 35minutes.The ride was done at a brisk pace so the time doesn't truely reflect our efforts.Our arrival at Conte's was greeted by Maggie and Carol who came out to surprise us and they did.There was a bit of "catching-up" done and talk of the two re-joining us later in the year.Both are missed and their return would be a joy.No pics today as we had no photographer,but if you look at the last rides pics ,the three horizontal pics at the top left,in each pic I'm losing peoples attention and I'm getting the message "Stop talking and ride!".LOL!

Bill, this bike puter says 13.4 avg mph for today's ride.

Friday May27th " Zippidy do-da,zippidy ah!"

My oh my what a beautiful day,plenty of sunshine coming our way,zippidy do-da,zippidy ah!What a day to be cycling,sunny,soft breeze,easy humidity,fields are green,trees and bushs in blossom,with the feel of a holiday weekend. Started in Lumberton onto downtown Vincetown, relief break in Smithville Park,across Oxmead to Gilbert ,back to Jacksonville where we made a left for some up and down hill fun,right on Florence-ColumbusRd,then back over PetticoatBridgeRd.and on our way to Old World Bakery.We were a group of twelve,the ladies being Nancy,Chris,Fran,Yollie,Eloise,and Olga;the guys JohnV,JohnD,Carl,Duke,Jukka,and myself.A few more couples and we'd SquareDance.NOT! The group was wonderful,had Mr.Bluebird on my shoulder.Clocked 32.9miles in 3hours25minutes.JohnV could you please post average speed,thank you and thank all for a great ride.

Wednesday May 25th " Easy Does It "

 Cindy,Duke,and I departed Vincentown for a liesurely 20 mile loop with a break at ApanyCafe' and completed the ride in an hour and fourty-five minutes.Pollen was a little gagging on the throat so we passed on the second loop.The wind was a bit strong on MagnoliaRd. but turned into a tail wind for the mile we did on Rt.70,coasted ,almost like going down hill.The temperature and humidity were very pleasant. All in all it was a very good ride.

Tuesday, May 24th Pictures

Tuesday May24th " Where did everybody go?"

   Left St.Peter's with nine and were soon(1/4mile)down to six.Two turned ,seven went straight,then one walked back with a flat.The two and the six re-grouped at Wawa and proceeded to Conte's.The day turned out very sunny and nice after an iffy start.A few rain drops with full sun in downtown IndianMills.Another flat at Conte's before heading back,still plagued by those darn flats.Pollen is peaking(hopefully)maybe this will be the last week for it.Today's line up:Olga,Fran,Kathy,Barbara,JohnD,JohnV,Niles,Jukka,and batting ninth myself. Clocked 30miles in 3hours 45 minutes. Oh yea, JohnV was serenaded with"HappyBirthday".

Friday the 13th Need I say more?

Left from St.Peter's to Southampton Muni Bldg. with 11 riders.Eloise,Kathy,Fran,Olga,and Nancy;also we had Rob,Ross,Niles,JohnD,Duke and myself. Only occurrances were two thrown chains,one pedal problem, and no TajMahal at Conte's although the coffee and apple cider donuts were available.Nothing of note to report,we covered 34.7miles in about 3hrs.40 minutes.

Friday May 6th "Return of the Jinx"

  Today we had four riders,Olga,Fran,Duke,and myself.Beautiful sunny day and with this crew the pace was thrown away.Arrived at BK in one and a half hours,however someone(I won't mention you name Fran) had to use the four letter f word before we circled the lake. Flat. After a short and pleasant break at BK we headed back at a pace that would have had us finish in three hours or less when shortly after turning onto Retreat Rd. Duke got a flat on his front tire.The new tube pinched so Duke elected to hike w/bike with 3 miles remaining. Fran(our new jinx,your off the hook Kathy) went ahead with Olga to get motor transport for Duke.All said it was a wonderful ride at high speed 17,18,and even 19 mph,that culminated with everyone safe and thankful for a really pleasant and swift outing.I don't want anyone to think future rides will be this fast,they won't be,we'll do the C- pace,but when we get a small capable group that can move like this ,we do.I clocked 32.4 miles in 3hours 44 minutes. Without the jinx,I mean flat and walk you could throw out the 44 minutes.Wish all the Ladies a happy Mother's Day.Anyone who is unable to post or comment on this blog let us know on the dridesplus forum.

Tuesday, May 3

Tuesday May 3rd

There were 12 for today's ride.Nancy,Chris,Olga,Fran,and Kathy.Ann and husband John,JohnD,JohnV,Jukka,Niles,and myself.The pace was moved up to C- and the riders responded sharply,the view in my mirror was of an organized ,safe group,traveling as if they were one.Weather may have been the best we've had this year,giving promise of better days ahead.News is Conte's will be open for next weeks ride,meaning it's apple cider donut time.It was just a nice ride,beautiful day,friendly group with laughs at Nixon's.I clocked 32.4miles in 3hours 32 minutes.

Sunday, May 1st

Eloise led a C minus ride today.
(I guess that falls under D rides Plus)
Very nice Eloise, thank you very much.
She led at a good pace. I followed all the way, n o breakaways, and had a 12.7 mph average for the 33.6 mile ride. We started at 9:am and got back to Laurel Acres at 12:30.
We dedicate these pictures to the new rest stop. We'll have to ask Eloise where it's located.