Oshkosh Ride - 50 (almost) at 50

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Originally uploaded by hav2thnk

Yesterday was a great day. The high temp was just over 50, and the usual suspects got together for a "moderate" group ride (Brian, Jesse, Tyler, and I), and Jess joined as well to keep us in check. We started at my place and headed towards Menasha. We kept the pace comfortable averaging 15-17 to get things warmed up and see where everybody was at.

The assessment: Jesse is still a spinning and workout guru. Brian is strong and ready to go. I was feeling pretty good coming off of a mountin biking vacation the week before with Brian. Tyler, who is still a true athlete, was coming off of a winter of no activity and this ride was going to be his wake up call. Jess did well on her still-like-new road bike (what a steal!!), but is not looking to pedal mash with the boys yet.

Mile 7: We arrived at Brian's place where we made some bike adjustments and the group shrunk down to 4 as Jess dropped off. Took a longer break than expected, but we then hit the road to head towards Oshkosh.

Mile 10.2: We stopped at at Cranked Bike Studio to check out the shop. Jesse knows the owner and the rest of us haven't been to this bike shop yet. They have some cool old cruiser bikes as well as the usual new styles. Decent clothings selection...I was tempted with the merino wool long sleeve jersey, but I am already starting to think warm riding. I helped Tyler adjust his rear derailleur since it was jumping. After yet another break early in the trip, we decide it is time to put on some miles.

Mile 11.3: Tyler continued to experience derailleur problems, so we had periodic stops. Finally we stop to take a closer look and Brian noticed that a chain link had one side of the link off of the pin. We used a chain tool to clamp the side back on the pin and it appeared to do the trick without replacing the link. NOW we are REALLY going to put on some miles... Once we hit Cty A we picked up the pace to 20-22 mph. The wind coming off the ice on the lake dropped the temp several degrees, but it was still upper 40's and sunny. We hit a mud minefield on the bike lane which forced our drafting train to bust up. Jesse got way ahead and I held up for Tyler and Brian to latch on again. Eventually I decide to catch up to Jesse on my own and felt the need to buzz him. So I picked it up to 31 mph and buzzed him. Normally that would trigger Jesse to do the same, but I think he was saving it for a sneak attack.

Mile 19.3: Jesse got a flat. Small cut on the tire sidewall...may have pinched a rock or any of the various debris on a Spring road. We apply a patch, pump it up and get ready to hit the road. By this point we pretty much pushed Tyler to the edge for his 1st ride. I was still pretty set on achieving our goal of arriving in Oshkosh, which was now in sight. We decided that everyone would go their own pace, and once we hit Oshkosh we would turn around and others would turn around when we got back to them.
We started out with Brian wanting to see what his new Madone could do, so he started hammering to pick up the pace. Peaked near 30 and tried to settle in around 25-27. We eventually dropped down again as we started to enter town. Brian gets to keep his title as a power house, but I was happy that I stayed with him (even though I was drafting :-).

Mile 22.5: We arrive in Oshkosh. Overall, it wasn't as far as I thought, although my original game plan was to go downtown (on a bit farther). I realized that I had brought my camera and didn't take any pictures yet, so I decide to take the first picture at our destination. No city limits sign, so I decide to have Brian, Jesse, and me pose in front of the fire station since it had "Oshkosh" on the sign. Soon after Tyler joined us, so he ended up doing the full miles anyway - he isn't the type of guy to back down from a challenge; although I knew he was going to feel this one tomorrow. We took a bathroom break at the BP. Jesse treated us to chocolate chip cookies...mmm. It was time to begin the trip back. We kept a comfortable pace so we didn't break up the group. Jesse and I had a few of our usual moments where we ride side by side and keep edging up on the other. It only takes a nod and we know we are coaxing the other person to race...so off we go. Jesse kicks it in the big ring and it is all out - although I still didn't top my 31 mph max from earlier. I think he was frustrated that he couldn't drop me, but I am going to enjoy it while I can...I still remember Jesse becoming a force to be reckoned with at the end of last season. I also just like the playfullness and in the end it makes us both better.



Mile 33.5: Tyler had never been to Kimbery Park in Neenah, so we decided to check out the mansions and lighthouse on the point. This is a really beautiful area. We take a bunch of photos at the lighthouse; enough where I think other people considered us one of the attractions. I mentioned to the guys that Wheel & Sprocket has a photo contest for biking and local area landmarks, so I think it would be cool if we had a decent picture to submit. I don't think we succeeded, but I will submit a picture anyway.

Mile 38.1: We continued the mansion tour and riding through the various Neenah and Menasha parks until we got on the bike path near 114. At this point, my Garmin Edge 305 decided it would no longer record our trip; even though I had "smart" recording on which should allow for more than 3.5 hours of data to be captured. I'm very disappointed with the battery life and recording capacity of the Edge; really unacceptable. However, I did have my normal bike computer (which has a battery life of 1 year+), so I could still track the miles.

Mile 40 (ish): Stopped at gas station at Oneida and 114. Tyler needed to call Bev and let her know that he will be late for dinner plans...we didn't realize how late it got. Short break, then back on the road. At one point along Manitowoc road there was a huge flock (?) of turkeys with a male strutting his stuff. I was surprised at how close to the road they were; especially with us standing there.

Mile 46.5: Back home. Sun was setting, so we got back just in time. I felt pretty good, although I could feel it a bit in my legs - mostly from the sprints. Definitely more breaks than planned, but I wouldn't have changed a thing. Great ride, and great to get out with the gang again!