Name: Casey Jones Express
Date: March 12, 2014
Ride Leader: Scott Walker
Class: A / AA
Riders: Blake Altman, Brad Francisco, Michael Blaine
Gain: 974’
Distance: 25.8mi
Founders: Benny Budd and Joni King
Motto: “For the love of the people and the ride” - Michael Blaine, 2013
Weather: Threatening skies and 64 degrees with wind advisories (calling for gusts from 45 to 55mph), during the ride winds were only at 10-12 mph from the SSW.
AMS: 19.9mph
Mishaps: None
Mechanicals: Chain caught between the small cog and dropout
Ride Report: We got our “window of opportunity” and made the Ride.
All day long the reports were calling for rain and strong winds, but the timing seemed in question. With temps predicted to be in the 60’s through 7:00pm, I remained cautiously optimistic that the wind and rain might hold off just long enough. As I started my after-work bike commute back to Fort Washington, the winds were steady from the South at about 15, with light rain. I thought; “it’s not looking good for the Casey Ride.” I departed Fort Washington in my car and arrived at the Casey Jones parking lot at 4:35pm; “nobody’s here yet.” It wasn’t raining any longer in La Plata, the roads were slightly wet, and the winds were moderate at maybe 10 from the South. I checked the radar return on my cell. The next band of rain looked to be a couple of hours away; “hmmm, this might be possible.” I pulled out my commuter-bike from the back of the car (an '81 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, cold-set frame to accept today's 130mm ten-speed wheels, SKS Raceblade fenders, and Cygolites front and rear) and quickly fixed a flat caused by a thumbtack I picked up at the end of my commute. I got out the signup form for the Casey Ride and waited to see if anyone would show; “4:50 and still no one here, guess I’ll draft a cancellation email, pack everything up and send the email at 5:00.”
But, at 4:55 Blake rides into the parking lot on his vintage rain-cruiser; “oh yeah!” We quickly decide to do the ride. So I delete the cancellation email, pullout the signup form for Blake and make ready my bike once more. At 5:00, just as we’re preparing to depart, Brad pulls up in his van and says out the window; “sorry I’m late.” Very quickly he’s out of his van, Felt in tow and ready to ride. He signs the form. I stuff it in my jersey and discuss the conditions over the bridges on Rt-6 and Budd’s Creek. And then we’re off. Seconds into the course, as we turn down Carroll towards St Mary’s Ave, up rides Michael on his rain-ready Trek; “we gonna do this?” Everyone (now four) eagerly confirms; "the ride is on!"
My place in the rotation is behind Brad. He's the only rider without fenders. The occasional splashes of mud and grit from Brad’s tires make me smile as I remember past discussions of fenders and who actually benefits (the owner or other riders). As we make our way South on St Mary’s and into the Ride, like most Casey Rides, the intensity sharpens, the speed builds, and before long the paceline is focused and performing with precision as a single unit. At that moment -- while I'm feeling the rush from the old steel-framed velo as it glides almost effortlessly within the paceline at 21,22,23 mph -- I’m instantly reminded why I love this Ride. There are few things finer, more pleasing to the senses, than riding in a well-tuned, evenly-matched paceline slicing through the wind! For me right then, the ride is made and the season is set.
We remain tight throughout the course. I keep my pulls short to stay with the lighter bikes and avoid burnout. Not Blake; he's on a bike probably heavier than mine and pulling like a maniac. Brad and Michael stay easy up the hills so the heavier bikes can hold their wheels. On the return North up Fairground Rd, my chain gets lodged between the small cog and the dropout. At the time I'm pulling and announce that my chain is caught. So, Michael literally pushes me at 12mph to the top of the next small hill. There, we stop. I dislodge the chain, give the high-setscrew on the derailleur a quarter-twist, wipe the chain-oil from my hands on some wet brush, and we're off -- the entire evolution taking less than a minute.
When we arrive back at the parking lot, everyone is grateful for the temporary reprieve in the weather; warm with no rain and mostly cooperating winds throughout the course. Ten minutes after we get back the rain starts, and within two hours the winds are gusting to 45. But we got our window, had a terrific Ride and opened the 2014 Casey Jones Express season... Looking forward to many fun Wednesday evenings!
The Tally:
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Casey Jones Express 2014
|
|
Rider
|
Member Status
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Total
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Class-A
(16-17.9)
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Class-AA/L (18-19.9)
|
Class-AA/H (20-21.9)
|
Class-AA/E (22 & up)
|
|
Blake A.
|
M
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
Brad F.
|
M
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
Michael B.
|
M
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
Scott W.
|
M
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
|
