RABikes2
04-18-2005, 10:33 AM
We all seem wrapped up in the "newest, fastest, and the lastest pieces of equipment that I've got an experience to share from this weekend.
I participated in TOSRV (Tour of Springtime Rural Vistas), which starts in north Florida, for a two day ride of 100 miles, each day. The ride is on my training roads, an "out the back door" ride for us here. Between the 2-day, 100 mile option and the 2-day, metric option, there were close to 450 riders.
On Saturday, riders leave Quincy, FL and ride to Albany, GA, spend the night and return the 100 miles back to Quincy, GA on Sunday. Food is so fabulous on this ride; hot breakfast, great lunch (both days), and dinner Saturday night is provided, along with cake and ice cream at the finish on Sunday. It's a traveling party; wonderful volunteers, country roads, southern hospitality, you name it; it's got it. :D
I'm riding back from Albany on Sunday, we're at the lunch stop. Yumm...pb&j, turkey sandwich fixings, bean salad, pasta salad, cookies, soda. I'm sitting across from a gentleman that I engage in conversation with; talking to him was one of the highlights of the ride. Listen to this...his name is Gene (from Albany, GA), 75 years old, use to ride over 30 years ago. (Said he did a couple of centuries when he was 40.) Gene took out his bike two months ago, brought it into the shop to get lubed, and started doing a few 30 milers. He flipping did the 200 miles this weekend! The headwind was quite strong on Saturday; in the 15-20 mph area. And Sunday contained the famous climbs the ride is known for on the last 30 miles and w/ a short, butt-kicking climb, two miles from the finish. I couldn't believe the tenacity, spirit, and determination of this gentleman. He told me after the ride, that at his Monday, Kiwanis meetings, that if somebody has a story/joke/etc. to tell, they put a dollar in a jar to tell it. Last Monday, he put a dollar in the jar and told his fellow Kiwanis that he might have something to tell them this Monday (today). It was obvious Gene was exhausted, but thrilled, elated, and beyond joy with his accomplishment to be able to tell his buddies how he spent his weekend! And just an FYI on Gene's bike...what a classic! (From his estimation), it was a 1970 Schwinn Paramount. It was in excellent, primo condition; except he used toe straps. One of the straps broke on his way back Sunday and in his tennis shoes, one foot strapped in and one not, he STILL rode, climbed, and finished w/ finesse!
Another notable rider, was Mitch from Long Island (I believe) who was on an older steel model Serotta. He owns a Legend Ti, but didn't want to ship his "baby". Mitch was interesting. ;) Probably in his mid 60's, struggling w/ his weight, and our hills, but he persisted, and finished, to eat his cake and ice cream, too!
Met any interesting characters recently?
P.S. Elefantino! Met your buddies at breakfast on Sunday. Saw the A-Team jersey and zeroed in on them! Great guys; hope they enjoyed their ride!
RA :D
I participated in TOSRV (Tour of Springtime Rural Vistas), which starts in north Florida, for a two day ride of 100 miles, each day. The ride is on my training roads, an "out the back door" ride for us here. Between the 2-day, 100 mile option and the 2-day, metric option, there were close to 450 riders.
On Saturday, riders leave Quincy, FL and ride to Albany, GA, spend the night and return the 100 miles back to Quincy, GA on Sunday. Food is so fabulous on this ride; hot breakfast, great lunch (both days), and dinner Saturday night is provided, along with cake and ice cream at the finish on Sunday. It's a traveling party; wonderful volunteers, country roads, southern hospitality, you name it; it's got it. :D
I'm riding back from Albany on Sunday, we're at the lunch stop. Yumm...pb&j, turkey sandwich fixings, bean salad, pasta salad, cookies, soda. I'm sitting across from a gentleman that I engage in conversation with; talking to him was one of the highlights of the ride. Listen to this...his name is Gene (from Albany, GA), 75 years old, use to ride over 30 years ago. (Said he did a couple of centuries when he was 40.) Gene took out his bike two months ago, brought it into the shop to get lubed, and started doing a few 30 milers. He flipping did the 200 miles this weekend! The headwind was quite strong on Saturday; in the 15-20 mph area. And Sunday contained the famous climbs the ride is known for on the last 30 miles and w/ a short, butt-kicking climb, two miles from the finish. I couldn't believe the tenacity, spirit, and determination of this gentleman. He told me after the ride, that at his Monday, Kiwanis meetings, that if somebody has a story/joke/etc. to tell, they put a dollar in a jar to tell it. Last Monday, he put a dollar in the jar and told his fellow Kiwanis that he might have something to tell them this Monday (today). It was obvious Gene was exhausted, but thrilled, elated, and beyond joy with his accomplishment to be able to tell his buddies how he spent his weekend! And just an FYI on Gene's bike...what a classic! (From his estimation), it was a 1970 Schwinn Paramount. It was in excellent, primo condition; except he used toe straps. One of the straps broke on his way back Sunday and in his tennis shoes, one foot strapped in and one not, he STILL rode, climbed, and finished w/ finesse!
Another notable rider, was Mitch from Long Island (I believe) who was on an older steel model Serotta. He owns a Legend Ti, but didn't want to ship his "baby". Mitch was interesting. ;) Probably in his mid 60's, struggling w/ his weight, and our hills, but he persisted, and finished, to eat his cake and ice cream, too!
Met any interesting characters recently?
P.S. Elefantino! Met your buddies at breakfast on Sunday. Saw the A-Team jersey and zeroed in on them! Great guys; hope they enjoyed their ride!
RA :D