Six people came to ride with Paul and me. Paul, Janell and Dana rode the shorter version; Dana a little shorter. Pat, Jan, Steve, Jon and I rode the longer version. It was a familiar route up to Bryans Road SC, past the community college on Mitchell, on up to St. Ignatius, past Johnny Boy's BBQ, Rose Hill and Bumpy Oak. At the beginning of the dreaded Bumpy Oak ascent we varied the usual route by turning onto the IHRT and going back to the firehouse via Bensville etc. I thought that maybe this would prove to be the flattish way back. Of course it was not; but Jan's suggestion to use the parallel bike path on Bensville avoided the no shoulder part and the rest was pretty decent. It was hot and humid, but we had no mechanical issues..pretty good ride all in all.
