Didn't get out of the shop until 5:15 yesterday but with a couple of quick changes to my responsibilities at home I was able to make it to the
group ride last night. Before we got going, the normal faces were showing up such as Adamson, Congdon, J. Fry, Kisch, Kruger, Kerkove, Engstrom, Doug, and at least one other. Adamson and Congdon were on mountainbikes and convinced the one guy that I didn't know to go fat-tire with them elsewhere so as we rolled out it was J. Fry, Kisch, Kruger, Engstrom,
Kerkove, Doug, amd lil' ol' me. Kruger upped the pace to mid-20's while going through one of the wealthy neighborhoods heading out of Cedar Falls. Being a follower when it comes to road bikes I waited until everyone else put their heads down to catch up and hopped on Kerkove's wheel. Kruger did slow back down and things were back to "in-town" pace. Once we were out of town Engstrom started with a 28 mph pull right away and it never really slowed down after that. Making the turn to head West towards Finchford on the race course I was surprised to see myself still in the main group with Kruger, J. Fry, Kisch and Kerkove but I was determined to hold on as long as I could.
They got away from me an the second tier of "3-tier hill" coming out of Finchford but they were still close enough that I was able to catch back up with J. Fry and Kruger before we got to Janesville. Everyone sat up in Janesville to get things back in order and then the five of us headed for Waterloo
against the wind this time. Constantly hitting 30 mph, I was again alone after about the 28 mile mark but still within distance. I was shelled in an uphill and just could not get back on so it was no-man's land for about two miles or so until Kerkove sat up and waited. The two of us then worked back to Waterloo to catch up with the others and gruised through Waterloo at a gingerly 14 mph.
The ride itself was a quick 30 or so miles in just over an hour. I am still in awe to some extent of being able to hang on as long as I did and I am already looking forward to my next group ride adventure. It hurts a whole buch during the ride but when all is said and done my body feels fantabulous.
I also obtained a
fi'zi:k Arione saddle yesterday and I gotta say WOW!! By far the most comfortable saddle I have ever had the honor of sitting on. It's absolutely perfect, no problems, no extra material, and looks absolutely fabulous. Other locals that ride the Arione include
Blue Colnago on his Master X Light,
Kerkove on his Six13, and
G-Ted on his new Inbred 29er. I know that there are also a few others that I have seen around. Perfect I tell ya, perfect.
Today will be a nice spin around town for a recovery ride to get the blood going again. Recovery rides can make the difference between feeling great and feeling like *$^& later in the day. I am also sure to use my
Recover-Ease post ride because it also helps me feel less sluggish. The stuff is amazing, give it a try if you can.