Randy’s Cycling Log

Ride Data
Ride #44 – September 24, 2007
Distance: 44.17 miles
Year to Date Disance: 1920.53 miles
Time: 2.19.20
Avg. Speed: 19.0 mph
Max. Speed: 31.8 mph

Ride Description: MCC Monday Night Ride.  New ’sorta’ shorter route and reversed directions

Riding Partners: Jim Mahaney, John Jasker,  Randy “The Original” Bultman,

Notes on the day:  Very hot for Fall.  Upper 80’s when we took off. 

Point #1 – My thought that due to the heat and being late season would keep the pace down was way wrong.  This was a fast ride.  Not sure who thought that it was ‘ok’ to push the pace to any level since there was a ‘C’ group last night…. For the record the C group did a shorter route and pushing the pace into the mod 20’s was just wrong.   We tried a couple of different times to get you to slow down including enlisting Jasker to go to the front and plainly ask you to ride at 20 mph.  Some will argue that I was part of the front group and part of the problem…. I wasn’t at the front pushing the pace but holding on for dear life as I was really lost on the route… see point #2 below.

Point #2…. Route changes.   I have talked as a group with others that have presented the idea of a different route on Monday nights each month next year.  Initially I had supported the thought but other the last few weeks with the route changes we have made due to construction and now diminshing day light. I have changed my position.   The constant route brings stability and safety that just isn’t there when the route is not familar to most poeple in the group.  Last night we had riders in the front blow through several corners causing confusion and disarray in the paceline behind.  This is a recipe for a crash.

Last night the announced route was not followed by most of the different B groups on the road.  I know the group I was in went out on 24th St and we ended up coming in on 24th St as well.  Don’t get me wrong, I still had an enjoyable ride but not nearly as enjoyable as the previous week.

So will the rain hold off long enough t get in the Tuesday night Velo ride?

Ride Data
Distance: 35.03 miles
Year to Date Disance: 1876.36 miles
Time: 2..04.05
Avg. Speed: 16.9 mph
Max. Speed: 26.1 mph

Ride Description: Velo City Cycles Tuesday Night Road Ride.

Riding Partners: Jim Mahaney, John Jasker,  Randy “The Original” Bultman, Aaron and Jeff from VCC, Leon and Tom Slikkers, Dan Sizemore, John Vanderberg, Terry, Frank and many others.

Notes on the day:  Wow another great ride tonight!  Had a great time.  The pace was extremely controlled and Aaron from VCC did a great job keeping Frank under control

The temp was warm but heck at this time of year you take as many of these days as you can and not complain about them. 

Ride Data
Distance: 47.39 miles
Year to Date Disance: 1841.33 miles
Time: 2.29.56
Avg. Speed: 18.9 mph
Max. Speed: 34.3 mph

Ride Description: MCC Monday Night ride.

Riding Partners: Jim Mahaney, John Jasker,  Skip, Randy “The Original” Bultman, Marshall and Marci Michmerhuizen, Conrad and Roberta Van Haitsma, Tim from Kalamazoo.

Notes on the day:  First off this was the best MCC Monday night ride I’ve had in a long time.  The banter between us at the back of the group was excellent.  Marci was officially crowned the MCC Goodwill Ambassador. She is she friendly and polite and even when she is throwing out a dis it is wordled so carefully that you’re not sure if its a dis or a compliment.  She gets my vote for being in charge of group coaching!  Apparantly I ride with my seat a full 6cm too low…. according to Jasker!

Mortorff was a no show again.  Supposedly he went to the gym.  Come on Mike rejoin us on Monday nights!  Although I must admin that my own riding has falling off sharply.  Lots of projects going on at home before the cooler weather hits for good.

Ride Data
Distance: 28.19 miles
Year to Date Disance: 1793.94 miles
Time: 1.34.05
Avg. Speed: 17.9 mph
Max. Speed: 39.6 mph

Ride Description: Velo City Cycles Tuesday Night Road Ride

Riding Partners: Jim Mahaney, Kirk Walters, John Jasker, Ted – the wrench, John Vandenberg, Some dude with no helmet (and apparantly no brain to protect), Dave Blanford, Jeanne, Paul Nelson, Skip, Randy “The Original” Bultman, Jessica Osting, Kelly, and many more that either escape my memory at the moment or I just haven’t had the honor of catching their name (yet).

Notes on the day:  Another hot one last night. The ride was great.  The group stayed together in a early 20’s pace until just before we turned north on 66th street in Laketown Township.  I peeled off a bit early on 147th Ave and 65th St. which is the backside of my neighborhood.  This got me home a bit earlier than expected and allowed me to tuck the kids into bed after their first day of school.  It’s all good!

I’ve really grown to prefer the Tuesday night Velo rides even more than the Monday night MCC rides.  The Tuesday night ride is about the pace that the MCC ride used to be and the group is just really friendly to all.  Don’t get me wrong I really enjoy the Monday night ride and MCC as a whole but we are going through some growing pains on Monday night this year.

Overall I have lightened up on my riding quite a bit in August.  I always set out to ride like a mad man over the Labor Day weekend…. but the realization of Labor Day for me is all the things around the homestead that really need to get done before the weather gets to cool…. Stain the deck, Paint the porch, Get Step 4 down on the grass for a change this year, etc..   I am pleased with the season as a whole.  My mileage is right about where I had hoped it would be and I should finally reach 2 thousand miles in a season.