April 20, 2010 Tuesday Night Ride Report

After all the crappy weather we had this past weekend it was a pleasure to see that the weather for last night’s ride was going to be a lot nicer. We had partly cloudy skies with a light wind of 7-10 mph from the Northwest; it was 66F at wheels down and 56F when we arrived back at the shop at 7:50pm.

I parked at the Global Fitness Gym just a few hundred yards from the shop. Lots of parking available there so it’s a good alternative to the shop’s parking which can be pretty hectic if you arrive close to 6pm..

Another good turnout for both the “A” and “B” groups. I estimate about a dozen riders in the “A” group and about 30-35 riders in the “B” group. Just before launch Daren announced that we were doing one of our oldie but goodie loops, Fruitlands in Harvard, Ma.

We headed over to Prospect Street a gentile tempo going up and over onto Harvard St, and Mechanics Street. Upon turning right onto Route 70 in Lancaster right at the Toyota dealership the pace picked up and it started getting fast as usual. Moving right along this stretch we arrived at Route 117 in good order. A right onto 117 West, then a left onto Langen Street where the pace dropped off to a more manageable level. This gentle pace would not last for long as the red and white blur (Natalie) went blasting to the front of the group to whip up the pace. It’s like she had a formula 1 boost bottom for overtaking. So there I was gasping to air again trying to stay with the group just like on Route 70. I was starting to regret not warming up prior to the ride.

Slowed down once we arrived at Atlantic Union College in Lancaster where we cross Route 70 onto George Hill road which become Bolton Road heading over to 5 corners where we pick up Route 110 heading over to Bolton Orchards where we cross over Route 117 onto Still River Road. Up to now we had a nice steady tempo going but all that would change once we started the climb up to Still River. The pace kept building and building and I fell off the lead group about ¾ on the way up and we had’t even arrive at Prospect Hill Road yet. Why do I hate roads with the word “hill” in them? You know like Justice Hill Road!

Well a finally arrived at the top of Prospect Hill Road, shattered , beaten and humbled. I did get to enjoy the view and a good joke when one of the women cracked that we were blocking her driveway. Get out of town!

Looking at the views would not last for long as we were off again down Prospect Hill to Old Shirley Road all the way to Route 111 where we turned left in Route 111 over to the Ayer rotary. From here we cut through Ft Devens and I must say that once we turned onto Barnum Road it got very fast and racy. Many thanks to Noah for offering encouragement and helping me stay with the front group.

Somewhere in Devens we stopped with a 20.5mph average and regrouped then rode a quite pace that took on various winding roads that brought us out by Shirley Center where we took a left onto Phoenix Street which brings you up by Shirley prison. Nice steady tempo up past the prison then it picked up even more as we approached the end of Shaker Road.

Re-grouped at the top of Shaker Road where we all said goodbye to Andrea as she turned to head home. Very fast once we got on Old Union Turnpike road all the way to the Toyota dealership where we cross Route 70.

Now I can smell that little red firebox on the top of the hill. I’m well placed after stopping for the light after the mall entrance. I have visions on being there for the finale sprint. It’s really a two tier little climb and I get up the first tier completely gassed. Now I’m have different visions and none of those included coming up the red fire box anywhere near the front group. Going in the second tier that red and white Ferrari with the power boost overtake goes by at warp speed, Dave L. as well as a few others. Somewhere in the distance they finished well beyond my eyesight, SIGH!