PTBO RIDES.

Friday Morning. Thursday Night Report. 06.28.12

Ed: Note. This is the Thursday Night Report from Thursday, June 28th. Since then, at least one other Thursday night has happened. Maybe two?

Matt Stetson wrote this and we would be jerks if this piece didn’t find a way onto the site. This is the B-Group report only. There is a better than average chance you already know what went down in A-Group.

Begin.
Last night, the biggest Thursday night group of the year took to the roads of Douro. Our “B” group was littered with strong riders eager to cane it at the front. We didn’t have to wait long before Arlen Penalegan and Greg Hammond went up the road. Calmer heads prevailed and the pair where caught by out first ascent up the legendary Rock Road. The group came together for a short time only to be strung out by the strong legs of Kathy Eggenburger. This is where the first casualties where lost to the steady pace, that did not seem to slow even while climbing.

After our first lap the group settled into a steady echelon, and we began picking up “A” group stragglers (you guys are always welcome to pull the “B” train around). With some new legs in the group our pace quickened. Jon Moreno, having missed part of the first lap due to a flat had something to prove and caned it up Rock Rd. hill to string things out a bit more. People began popping out the back while trying to jockey for good positioning. Some riders didn’t seem to be bothered by the increasing speed, especially the ladies in the group. Tanya MacNeil and Wendy Jones where showing that the women certainly would be a factor to the end.

As we rounded the corner to begin out final lap, I’m sure I was not the only one contemplating turning off and pedaling home to cold water and dinner. It’s too late now though, might as well bury yourself so you don’t have to ride home alone in the dark. The final lap brought about a sense of urgency in the group. We began to accelerate seeing who still had some gas left in the tank. We hit rock road and everything began to string out, thanks to the efforts of Chris Fleming who was pushing the pace all night. As we crested the top of rock road, with bits of asphalt flying in our face the group came together for the final push to the finish.

As we rolled through bells corners, Jon Moreno and Richard Higham must have tasted victory as they sprinted off the front and gained a sizable gap on the group which later increased due to Jeff Minicola joining them. We knew that we couldn’t let three strong riders go up the road, so anyone who was feeling strong went to the front in an effort to pull back the leaders. After a painful ascent up broccoli hill we shed a few riders and where on a fast pace to the finish. With everyone grouped tight together and on the rivet, we hammered up the final rollers and caught the two escapees right before the final climb. I heard that Chris Fleming took the sprint win, however I’m a little fuzzy on the finishing details due to the massive cramp that held me to the rear of the group. Good ride to all, and hope to see everyone next week.

Observations
+ Girls Ride Fast
+ Rock Road needs some work
+ The cycling club president was wearing triathlon shorts
+ Scott Patterson likes the front
+ Chris Jones is awesome to draft behind
+ riding up is harder than riding down