Where to Begin.....

      Funny how some nights there is nothing to talk about and other nights I have more than enough to talk about.  Where to begin tonight????  Let's start with all the new riders that came out.  Todd Graham finally joined us after 4 years of emailing back and forth.  No babysitting needed on the trails.  Hopefully you guys didn't scare him off from coming back.
    Another first timer was Derek Roth.  Another surprise.  Derek rode well, although I couldn't figure why he was carrying such a big backpack on the ride.  I found out later when I rode behind him.  Apparently Derek cannot be separated from his tunes.  That was a first, hearing music blasting out as we rode along the trail.  Now that I think about, has anyone mentioned to Derek that you don't need to carry around boomboxes anymore????
     And a third first timer was out tonight.  Russ Hodgson.  Some of you may remember Russ from a few years ago (1999ish).  Apparently Russ was able to free his schedule to join us tonight.  Now, not to look down at free beer but...... we did put a "premium" clause in the constitution for a reason.  And I thought Ali was the only one who bought ass-flavoured chips..... apparently not!  Thanks for the beer Russ.  On a side note, I did hear Russ comment about soccer being done and his Wednesday nights were now open....
     Tonight was also the best attendance of the season.  However, yesterday's weather did split the group into road rides and mountain bike rides.  Those that were afraid of the mud chose the road.  And we don't want to hear about your 32.5 or 32.6 km/hr average.  The real riders (minus Dave, Russ and Derek) headed out on to the mountain bike trails.  Trails were in fabulous shape and all signs of downed trees have disappeared.  Hopefully concerns of wet trails are finally behind us.
    Smitty seems to be on record pace for not riding and showing up for beers.  That is going to cost him next season.
    Michigan game is set.  Saturday, September 13.  Mark your calendars it is a go.
    Congratulations to Mark for winning the 55+ Ontario Games in Road Cycling!!!  Ali said he would have won it if he was old enough.  Also, Mike is competing in the Provincial Championships this Saturday at Ciociaro at 1:00.  Also don't forget Erie street race this weekend.
     On a sadder note, this is the last night that we will be able to push the limits of Ali's curfew (which no one really follows anyways) as many of the CRC riders have to return to work after 2 months off.  I know next week we will hear many complaints of nap schedules displaced, reworking  bowel movement times and the difficulty of working an 8-10 hour days.  I hope all non-teachers can go easy on us next week.
    As per CRC constitution, we are moving the ride start time back to 6:00!!!!  Rides leave sharply at this time (Jim, Russ, Ali).  In October we will move back to 6:30 and go lights.  Jeremy, you are up for beers next week.
   

Cool Video

Do you remember "Road Bike Party" where the guy rode the road bike all around and did all those crazy stunts???  Here is the behind the scenes documentary.  Not what you think.  By the way, any videos posted on the blog cannot be viewed in the email, you have to go to the blog to see it.

Circa 1994

   

     Tonight was a very interesting ride.  The only three that showed up to ride were Ali, Dave and Craig.  Hence, circa 1994 when the bike group got started and Dave and I (and Mike) would ride over to Ali's house and pick him up.  It was even complete with an Ali wipeout (circa 1994, 95, 96(x2), 97, 98(x3), 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14).  Needless to say it was a good ride (1:50) and the last bit in the dark.
     On a more serious note, the storm that blew through South Windsor last night really did a number on the trails.  There are at least 6 large trees down, making the trails impassable.  Also, it was like an oil slick out there.  Hard to believe that we are talking in the end of August about wet trail conditions.  Hopefully now that summer is almost (I said almost) over, more of CRC will be out to ride.....

     Congratulation to Mark, who won the first stage of the Ontario Games 55+ Competition in road cycling.  He average 38 km/hr over a 10 km route.  Hopefully he can repeat that performance tomorrow to take the title.  Ali was disappointed he couldn't compete because he didn't meet the age requirement.
     As for beer, I brought a case but Ali's fridge was already well stocked.  We are good for next week but Jeremy, you are up next.

Sweet & Fun Road Ride - True Warriors!

Due to assumed poor trail conditions - as unilaterally called by our own CRC Weather Man "Jacques" -  it was decided to do a road ride so that the "Mud Wimps"  would not get their white embroidered bike nickers all muddy!!
Well only 3 riders showed up  -& off we went! The ride was a standard ride as road rides are till Jacques & Arthur see this hot chick - one of Matt's "bike girlfriend" as we find out later- on a bike & invite her to ride with us! Well - she looked pretty fit & only wanted do interval training & could spank all of us  including Jacques & Smitty -& probably training to spank Matt too. She rode with us for a while - chatting mainly with Jacques - & took off without giving her number to any of us! Matt probably has it!
It was decided to do the Amherstburg route -& this is where we got"seduced" by Arthur to stop for ice cream! Apparently this was the only reason he came out for a ride as he is not allowed ice cream at home since he has put on a few pounds due an ankle injury - most likely fake - & has been useless on all matters "domestic" based on his sad face & complaining!
Needles to say we had to ride back in the dark with Arthur in the middle as Jacques had a small head light & i had the rear light - & Arthur - guess what - had no lights! - & he had to rush home as soon as we got back! - assume he only gets half a point! - well, he gets another half a point for buying the ice cream!

All in all - it was a good night - even without all the "wimps" that did not show up!

cheers!

Can't Leave it up to Anyone

I go away for a couple of days and do you think anyone can write the blog?  Here is the pic, I'll leave the details to your imagination.

Tough Night for Hadjissariss

Some of you may have heard about Jim's crash in a race at Ciociaro last Thursday.  Fortunately for us, it was captured by a perfectly positioned GoPro.

Finally Good Weather

Well it sure took a while but we finally got a good night of weather and a record number of guys out riding tonight.  Even Matt and Arthur joined us.  We rode the course for the Ontario Summer Games and it was a good course.  It made use of most of the trails that we ride every week however it was nice to follow an organized route.  While it did not use the 3-tier climb or any of the climbs on the west side of the park, it seemed like you were constantly going up or down.
     Thanks to Mark for hosting us while Ali is off picking up women.  And Dave wanted me to make mention of the fact that he is top stop on attendance.  Of course, that will only last one week.