Sat. 8/2/08

There were 10 to start the ride from Dunn Brothers South today, Terry, Big Dave, Jim T., Jeff S., Big Jim, Al, Todd, Tobias, and Bruce. With no wind to speak of, the group decided to head south for the Racine area. We cut across town and headed out on cty 1. The pace was nice and steady with Dave taking the Simpson sign (I think). We turned west and then south on cty 20, because of the detour. We headed back to cty 1 on hwy 30 for a bit, then south again.

Terry and Todd had to get back earlier than the rest of us, so they turned and headed toward Racine, while the rest of the group continued south to Spring Valley.

We stopped at the convience store for water and food. For the first time that I can remember, Jeff was actually grossed out by something. Some guy was in the restroom for quite awhile and when he came out, Jeff just couldn't stand the smell the remained. So he passed on the reststop.

We headed south and then east on cty 12 and with everyone taking turns the pace stayed nice and high. What a beautiful day. We turned north for Wykoff, where my shear power and speed won me the coveted town sign. From there we hit the rollers north of Wykoff. Here is where Bruce and Big Jim pretended to be Energizer Bunnies. They just kept going, and going, and going, all at a blistering pace. Then it was Big Dave and Jeff's turn to make us all suffer a bit.

Finally (thankfully) we made it to Chatfield. Again we stopped for some water at the Kwik Trip. Some local fella told Dave that cty 2 to the west of town was open, so we decided we needed to see the new stretch of road. Dave and Jeff towed us up the now straight and fairly steady grade climb, that once was several curves and several steep spots. But the pavement was nice and it is a sweet stretch of road. I can now do my old 50 mile route again, yippie.

From here everyone took turns at the front and the pace stayed high all the way to cty 1. From here we backtracked to hwy 30, then north on cty 20. I turned east and headed home, while the rest of the group was headed past the airport (I think) and then were going to come into town on cty 8.

What a nice day for a pleasant ride with good friends (and Jeff). I finished with 90+ miles and averaged 19.5 mph (including my lazy pace into town and back home after I turned). Great ride guys.

Here's the map:

Steve, where were ya???