Nothing like easing back in...

So after the longest continuous break I've taken in 2014 (six days), I got re-acquainted with the bike(s) this weekend.
Saturday - 2 hours on the CX bike out thru the PowerStation a couple of times. The first 30 minutes was really odd. They say one never forgets how to ride a bike, and that's probably true, but after a week off, the legs tend to wonder what the hell you're doing to them.
Highlights?
The dirt is in fantastic shape. It was shielded from the flesh burning sun/heat that we've experienced as of late. And I saw a rattlesnake that was large enough to take down small deer.
Well, I saw his body. The tail and head were on opposite sides of the trail, hidden by the underbrush. He was large...
Sunday - a good group met for the usual ride. The decision was made to do an easy 80km or so, as Monday was Labor Day, and we'd planned to do the Flat 50, including the commute to and from the meeting point.
Well, the best laid plans...yada yada...
It turned into a 105km ride out thru Cal/Lex. And it was harder than it should have been, as I was dragging a dying albatross behind me.
The hub new Williams WS28 rear wheel decided to begin ingesting itself about an hour into the ride. Once home, the hub felt like someone smashed all of the bearings into a not-so-fine powder. Emails have been sent...
After a quick turnaround, the entirety of Corpo went to the pool...
Monday - A few of us met @ 7:15 (too GD early), and wandered out to the Labor Day Flat 50. (80km, since I go by kilometers...)
Charlie and I kept tabs on things until we got to the Swamp. The whole group rode 30-34kmh, together, and fun was had by all. Once out of the Swamp...well...
All hell broke loose, and the ride averaged damn near 40kmh until we got to Eastover. Honestly, it was fun, albeit a bit dodgy at times...and it was silly.
Once out of the store stop, the lead group pressed on at high speed, while the bulk of the group rode in together...at 30-34kmh.
Once back, and bottles filled for the umpteenth time, the four of us rolled the 15km back to the 'hood. 
Yeah...I went to the pool again...
Another day, another Metric.  110km for Monday, and 265km for the weekend. I'm tired...
Now for my editorial :
These Flat 50 rides that Becky is nice enough to organize have gotten out of control.
I understand people's innate need for competition, but there's a time, and a place. These rides aren't it.
Big, fast-ish group rides are really fun, but they shouldn't turn into road races.
The first one we attended was a 30-35kmh affair. Everyone stayed together. Those who were strong did the work. Those who were not as strong, rode the wave. This is the way the Flat 50 should be.
The ride has devolved since then...
There are folks out there who aren't interested in biting their stems for 2.5 hours. The group should stay together, both for safety's sake, and for the camaraderie gained by riding with folks you normally wouldn't ride with.
 Words to this effect will be spoken at the next Flat 50.
If this makes me the asshole, so be it. I've been the asshole before...what's another day?

Donhou Stainless with visible brass brazing. You are now on my list...

 Two of my favorites from Eurobike

 Caterham will only build 73 of these. Even if you don't have to ask the price, you probably cannot afford it.

And this Cinelli piqued my attention. Purple has been missing from bikes...

And Rapha released their "Lightweight Climbing Shoe". Let it be known, to man and beast alike, if you show up to a ride with these, I will ridicule you...OPENLY.

And this is why one, unless a PRO, should run mechanical on a CX bike. I wonder if, when the derailleur sheared off, it sounded like $100 bills tearing? And notice the crank? Yeah, that's a Quarq.  Nothing like fucking up your $2000 crank in the mud.

Fourth ride in as many days tonight. Ride time has moved up to 6pm. See you there...