Starting Point: Brandywine Firehouse 8:00am CC+ (13.5-14x ams), 43miles
Route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2897916
80 degrees and overcast (blessing on a day/week like it's been) ended w/ heat/sun 95 degrees
Stats: AMS rider leader sweep 13.4, others from front 13.8 and above, 1600(or -) ft climbing elv miles 43-46. Myself and Tyre (likes her miles), added 2-3 more on at the end. Riding time front pack 3.09/ back near 4hrs.
Ride Leader: John Gorman
Riders: (Mbrs) Reggie Stokes, JulieAnn K., Barron Darby, Michael Morris, Judie Artmen, Des/Hans Holkon, Rodine West & his guest (name?), Tyre Hawkins, Roscoe Williamson, (rode from home)- Darrly?. Guest: Jay W.
The route's intent was to use shaded roads (even before knowing the heat wave of this past week), though these would involve 8-10 miles of rollers/elevation work, (or as I was told at the break HILLS!), (see Steve P., I guess there are many who consider Brandywine roads to be Hills...LOL, it's all a matter of riding history, frequency perspective. Though I explained most OHBC rides, this was a soft elevation 43miler.) Used the Cross Trl/N.Keys/Molly Berry/Baylor Naylor/Baden Westwood to a reststop at Baden Elm Shl.
After the 1st break, and then after the second rest stop groups formed forward and some back.
From here we crossed over to Horsehead to Iowa/Woodville/Wilkerson and downward thru the Gallant Green community including Bassaford, looping back thru again Truman Manor/Celestial and up Young Rd to rest break @ Mooreland's Store. By now the sun began to come out and the 90degree heat, so we tweeked the route some to remove another hill/or two, using Woodville/Mt. Pleasant/L- Poplar Hill back to the original cuesheet of some shade thru St. Peter's Church/Dent/Cedarville/Brandywine Rd. Some of us used the original cuesheet to the end others went directly back.
On the way back one rider was experiencing some effects of the heat and perhaps some longer miles combined, on Poplar Hill Rd. JulieAnne, Reggie, & John took a much slower pace with the one rider to get back to Cedarville Rd. Most riders were much further ahead and this point, as we approached crossing thru Cedarville St. Park, a few waited for us. We re-grouped, and JulieAnn & Reggie personally agreed to escort the one rider back directly on Brandywine Rd to the end (MUCH Kudos for doing this). Tyre (new strong rider likes doing more miles) and John did a few in/outs off of Brandywine Rd to make our total 46miles. JuleAnn, Reggie and 1-rider did make it back to the lot, and advised the rider advised everything was ok. Others had departed upon the rest of us getting back.
The shade for 90% of the ride made it a very doable experience, otherwise it would've been a killer.
