My Most Recent Ride 2011 (Part IV of the series)

Horsey Hundred 2011


I wasn’t sure getting to Georgetown, KY on Friday for the Horsey Hundred weekend was in the cards. I had to go back to the plant Thursday evening about 7pm following a storm that knocked out power. An air compressor wouldn’t restart and I ended up staying until 2:30am . But I got about 4 hours sleep, loaded everything up, and drove the 65 miles to catch my ride with Don Sullivan.

He drove. I dozed. Lunch and 4 hours later we were registering at Georgetown College. They expected around 1700 riders for Saturday and Sunday. The organizers & city had a great cookout & live music at a nearby park. The weather was perfect (low 60s), the burgers just right, and the (soft) drinks cold (this is, after all, a college with Baptist associations). We didn’t stay long after the give-away drawing for an expensive bike rack.

Saturday after breakfast at Waffle House, we were on the road with hundreds of others for the K59 mile ride portion of Horsey Hundred by 8:30am. The many rides ranging from 25 to 102 miles are laid out such that the riders get spread around and not too crowded on any given route. The K59 looped around to the southwest, through Midway, ending up at the Keeneland Racetrack and back to Georgetown. This route showcased the ultra-rich and their horse farms. Horse barns nice enough to live in. Pastures mowed just like they were someone’s front yard. The weather was great (partly cloudy, light wind, 83 deg.) and the four rest stops were well stocked and manned. Several recumbents including Bacchettas, Rans, others, and a homemade front wheel drive. Once we got back to campus we rode a little more to qualify the day as a Metric Century.

Afterwards they had a very nice cookout on the campus for all registered riders. BBQ, chicken, and all the fixins.

Then we drove back to Midway for a Saturday night street party with live music. We had pedaled thru Midway earlier in the day. An interesting little town with a working railroad that cuts through the middle of town. Unlike at the college, Midway made arrangements for beer and wine sales and consumption anywhere thru the downtown area. Somebody else won the drawing for the Garmin GPS, but we had a good time anyway.

Sunday morning, again after a Waffle House breakfast, we were back at the start for the 50 mile ride to the east of Georgetown. We rode through the streets of Paris. This route passed lots of less-elaborate horse farms than the ones on Saturday. The roads were rougher and more hilly. Some of them were little more than connectors between farms. Worse, only two rest stops, 91 deg., and 15-20mph winds. This was more of a ride for riding’s sake.

Again, back at campus, they served a nice lunch in the air conditioned gym. 5 foot sub sandwiches. Pasta. Fruit. And lots of liquids.

Of course I was on the Rocket, but Don had his Corsa. That dang thing rolls like it was on rails. I saw Don at the beginning, at the rest stops, and at the end (he made it back more than 20 minutes ahead of me). Plus, he could get to the rest stops so much faster that he was ready to leave before I got there. But being the gentleman he is, he waited for me both days until I was ready to leave.

This is a very nice trip if you’re looking for a large organized ride within 3 hours of Knoxville. We finished up with 112 miles over two days.

Writing as an old, fat boy, these past 3 days may be approaching my limit at least on an old Rocket with 23,000 miles on it. Eastern KY and Tenn cycling (read: hills, hills, 'n more hills). Hotter each day (83, 91, 93 deg., resp.). Metric Century on Day 1, a half Century on Day 2, and a quarter Century today Day 3. 137 miles in two days is fairly easy on the Silver Comet. Much more difficult 'round these parts.

 

Jumped on the Bike this morning to stretch my legs from yesterdays ride. I was only planning to do 6 miles around the house but it was so nice out I ended up with 21.2.

Next Sunday is the Shenandoah Valley Boys and Girls club Ride. I plan on doing the 70 Mile course, but dont know how fast I will be able to do it. I promised I would wait up for my buddies who want to ride that ride as well.

 

I'm finally able to get out occasionally. Still not much for power with my store-bought hips and no endurance yet but did ride 20 miles yesterday and again today. Summer also finally arrived in MI. Now if it will just dry up a bit. We have a lot (almost all) of farmers in this area who have not even been able to get on their fields leave alone get anything planted. This is super late and not a good thing.

 

A nice but hot weekend here, I was able to get out and ride a lot. Sunday was 64 miles of rolling hills for the first 45 and then flat as a rock back in. The Dragon was my steed as I am in my final preparations for Bike Va. 16 mph average and I felt like I could have ridden all day.

Monday back out for 83 more on a bit flatter route. My friend is a good bit slower than the Dragon so I did 1-legged drills for the first 40. I concentrated on my spin and working my hip adductors and when we turned around to come back I said no more of that. So for the return trip I sort of rode around him. I would kick it up and get a mile or so in front and take a side road out for a bit. Did this 5 times and ended up with 6 more miles than he did. Legs felt great all day, ended with a 16.73 average.

Rode to recover yesterday afternoon, 33 miles with at 15 mph and flat.

Brian, I am finally catching up to you.

Dennis glad you are getting out there. Work that hip man, I will be watching with great interest and I'm pulling for you.

 

Not riding with you......don't like you much.

 

Feels good to ride on the actual road again.
The slipstream keeps my eyes free of sweat, for one thing.

Boy, am I slow!
(I fell, clumsily, while on foot, a few weeks ago: bruised and strained my wrist.)

Now my average speed is only in the high 15mph zone;
my top speed is only 22mph and
my endurance is pretty abysmal.
But the fun factor is still way high, even babying my weak wrist.

It's a good thing, I guess, that I actually use the bike on the indoor
trainer. Otherwise, well, my real rides wouldn't be anywhere near as
fast and easy as they are.
The drive wheels' tire wore out on the trainer, in fact:
it went flat!

 

Whats the matter Buddy? Not enough Fiber!

 

Too much Fiber, It must be fattening. I've got to start riding
more. You kids are killing me with your numbers. Oh well, I
couldn't ride like that....ever.

 

I just don't have any other life. That and I like to get up early. My wife likes to sleep late on the weekends so I get most of my riding in before she is out of bed. As far as the numbers, I hope to be posting numbers when I am your age.

 

Thats when i get most of mine in Ward..I Sneak out early and get miles in before the other half wakes up.

I am with ya on that one Ward. I hope to be turning pedals like Buddy in 20 years-These older or i call them "veteran" riders inspire all of us, This is my very first full year of road biking. My one year aniversiery wil be in July. I have a lot of riding to do to catch up to most of you.

 

Well your doing great Brian, keep em turning!

 

Part 2.

My most recent ride was driving back up to Newport and retrieving my tuned up V Rex from Mark Power of Power Up Cycling. What a great guy!!! He went completely over my bike, fixed my lose rear spokes (said the person who built my wheels didn't put lock tight on them to keep from loosening), trued both wheels, removed - cleaned - put back on and lubed my chain. Haven't ridden it yet but I am sure it will be great. He did all of this for only $30!!!!! What a bargain. I told him that. So I bought other stuff to get the bill up to $90. Got a new mess seat for my old V Rex. It will look like new now!!! Plus got a bottle of T - 9 lubricant which Mark swears by.

I think my gas round trip cost more than the tune up! Any way, anyone who need recumbent work done, Mark is your Man!!!!

 

Club ride this morning. 20.2 miles. Wonderful weather out.. It was hotter than the 4th of July the last few days but it was nice and cool today and we had a wonderful ride. I love these Thursday rides because its the only time I get to ride with another recumbent. Jim had some isues with his GRR rear wheel. Turns out it was bent and the bearings were shot but he still out coasted me on the down hills. Those Gold Rush bikes must be something if they can keep up speed with problems like that.or the Rex is slow..lol

 

Agree that Mark is not only a very competent mechanic, but just a cool dude to talk with. FWIW, I think the company name is Power On Cycling.

 

Got back from my first successful overnight tour yesterday. Came home and slept like the dead.

We got packed and on the road around 6 am. I was dropped off, hitched up and pedaling away from the church before 8 am. When we went a few days ago to explore my route, it being my first trip and all, it had seemed pleasant around the church I'd begin at. That morning all three of us were about eaten alive by the mosquitoes.

Loke had a blast through the first part of the day. We had some clouds and threatening with rain so the temp wasn't too bad and the SUN mostly hidden. Around 10:30 that changed. The skies cleared and temp shot up as we were along a 3 mile stretch of road with NO shade. After a bit, stopping to give Loke water and wetting his ears down wasn't doing it. I finally had to pull over to shade him with the umbrella for about 20 minutes. I'm sure that got puzzled looks. Pure blue skies and there I was with an umbrella on the side of the road. As if riding a bent trike with a husky isn't strange enough. Still, that's the main reason I take the umbrella. That and if I want to read maps while it's raining.

Then it was on to my third church of the day where I got kind of 'trapped' in the midst of a funeral gathering. A bit surreal. Surrounded by people dressed in black suits and dresses and not even batting a lash at a sweaty woman in tights and lycra top, wind mussed hair under a faded ball cap with a camera bag and freshly filled half-gallon water bottle in her arms standing in a 12th century church as they consoled each other before sitting down for the services. I never would have gone in there except a woman offered to show me in so I could refill my water-bottle. When I came out of the bathroom, I was kind of pinned in the back of a short corridor, too shy/polite to push past everyone in their nice suits clothes my sweaty/sun-screened/insect repellent covered self.

The evening was uncomfortable to say the least. The first place I'd planned to camp was packed with people parking and RVing in for a horse show. Since it was only 4 pm, I pushed on. Then I ended up close to another town and my options for settling into a camp before 11 pm were dwindling. Along a stretch of what seemed to be a little used path, I pitched my tent against a steep mound of rock with a couple of large old trees.

There were ticks and lots of rocks. The path suddenly seemed to get very busy. Then once night fell, the foxes started yapping. That made Loke crazy. He kept pacing around, marking things in his reach and flinging leaves and dirt around to spread his scent. At least it kept the foxes away so they didn't get into the food. I think I got about 3 hours of sleep in 10 min snatches.

I gave up once it got light enough around 2:45 and was moving by 3:30. Loke had HUGE amounts of energy in spite of his restless night.

Turns out if I'd gone into town by about another mile, I would have found a park-like area of a 13th century battle sight by a river which would have made a far better camp. Nice smooth lawn, out of site of houses and not agricultural and therefore legal.

Around 5:30 am, I found an old fortified village where I think Loke was bitten by a snake. At least, while we walked Loke leaped straight up like one of those spring/suction cup toys they used to make. I swear, he bounced higher than my head with a yelp, his front right paw up first. He came down and started chasing I couldn't see through the tangle of ankle-high blueberry plants. I stopped him and looked his foot over, but saw no blood or other signs of injury.

A short time later, he gave a brief while we were on a 5 mile stretch of road I couldn't really stop on. Very little shoulder, fairly high traffic. Ummm. No. Definitely not a place I wanted to wait for Jens and then try to load the trike. But I did call so Jens could start driving.

When we made the turn, it was actually quite hard to tell how bad Loke was. He didn't seem to limp and if I tried to slow down to take it easy for him, he'd pull. So I just kept checking his feet, making sure the socks were intact and kept on.

During the last 2 miles he abruptly started limping quite badly. Again we were on a stretch of road with few places to stop and wait. A narrow, single lane flanked by ditches and fenced pasture. I'd have been a traffic hazard. Finally I reached the 2nd church ruin and decided to stop there since Jens couldn't be too far off. Loke was apparently so worn (or a bit sick from the bite), he laid down and barely moved even when I went to take pictures of the ruin. I never noticed any swelling in the foot/leg, but it felt hot to the touch. Much warmer than his other three feet.

Since then, Loke's been walking with a very bad limp where he's favoring his right front paw. He refuses to do a three-legged hobble, but only that one leg seems to be bothering him. Since it's just that paw hurting him and there's no sign of cuts or even RAW toe-pads, all I can think is he really was bitten by Sweden's only poisonous snake. Fortunately, its bite is only about as bad as a wasp sting, which to a healthy, fair sized dog like Loke is minor.

He's already walking better. We took him for a walk on a nice forest path where it was mostly smooth packed earth and grass. He seemed fine that entire time, though he limped worse on the pavement between front door and car when we got home than he did on the way out. So, I think he just needs a few days of coddling. If he doesn't continue to improve through the day, I'll take him to the vet tomorrow.

Poor puppy. I do think he enjoyed the trip though!

Terii