Saturday, we had a nice little group, and did something completely old school for a ride. The Swamp! It's been, literally, a couple of years since we did the loop out through Congaree National Park, and back in. Nothing quite like a nice, flat tempo ride. We just rolled along, chatted, and finished the 80km in 2:30. No one went hard, no one suffered, all got something out of it!
As an aside, if you live at all close to central South Carolina, make the effort to plan a daytrip to Congaree National Park. It's really quite wonderful, and provides a great look back in time, as it is the largest expanse of old growth hardwoods remaining in the US. There's plenty to do and see. Take the time to hike the big loop. You'll see myriad bugs, critters, and more than likely some BIG alligators. Oh, and plan your trip for the cooler months, as Summer in the Swamp is a bit like Southeast Asia, and the mosquitoes will make every effort to drain you.
Sunday was another great ride, and another good group. 100+ km out through LexCo and Calhoun, including a couple, or 8, nice climbs. The weather was perfect. Lights clouds, no wind, perfect temps. And no reflective vests needed, although we did get rolled up on by some...well...let's say hillbilly, just to be polite. He warned us we should be wearing orange because it's deer season. he even went so far as to remind us that it's also doe season, and people out the in the country will, "...shoot at anything that moves..."! To be honest, we weren't too worried about getting shot. The fact that he admitted that they will shoot at anything that moves was more disconcerting, but on a social level. Reminded me a little of South Park. And I don't mean the big mall in Charlotte!
The thought of getting shot did, however, make me feel a bit like LeMond, only less fat, and less delusional.
I guess there was some convoluted Trade Team Time Trial World Championship this weekend. It's an answer to a question no one asked, especially considering the fact that Omega Pharma-Quick Step p/b Joe's House of Haberdashery took the title. If one takes the time to go back and look at other TTT results from Grand Tours past, it becomes quite clear that pretty much every team that participated did not send their "A" teams to this race. OPQS hasn't won a TTT, well, EVER. Sure, they finished 2nd in the opening TTT at the Vuelta, but let's be honest, it was 16km, and they were time trialing against the Spanish.
Another Monday is looming large. Time to get rolling.
I'm more than likely riding Tuesday night, even if it's raining, as I will be single parenting from Wednesday on. Sweeeet! Can't wait....
Peace!
No comments:
Post a Comment