Leader: Brad Francisco
Members: Darin King, Scott Walker, Karen Fitzgerald, Matthew Lewandowski, Susan Estes, Chris Garrett, Mike Wilson
Guests: None
Route: Sandgate 65, from Oak Ridge Park
Weather: Fantastic! 68 degrees at start, 78 degrees at the end. Mostly sunny with a bit of a breeze.
AMS: 17.6 - 18.6
Mechanicals/Mishaps: Two flat tires (different riders), one mishap without injury (physical injury that is, pride was bruised) at a stop when the rider's right foot was free of the pedal but the bicycle decided to lean left. Haven't we all done that?
Report: Eight riders of slightly differing abilities showed up at the ride start. We heard over the PA system from the equestrian event also taking place at the park that there were power lines down on Oak road with a road closure (delaying the equestrian participants). Nevertheless, we decided to give it a try. However, the police turned us around and provided us with a detour. Good thing since the ride leader doesn't know the roads around there really well. We used all three rest stops available, with Scott in the lead group of 2/3 most of the way. Sue also spent most of her time in the lead group. At least she was whenever the ride leader was close enough to see the lead group.
Because the AA's had not used this route before there was quite a bit of regrouping, the ride would spread out and they would wait for the ride leader to confirm that the cue sheet was correct. Works for me!
The ride ended up being 80 miles with the detour.
Thank to everyone for coming out on the ride!
