Show me the Muddy
Ah summer. The most ironic of the seasons, since there is so much riding and bike related goodness going on, there is no time to write about it.
The CycleFamily vacation ended just in time for me to hop on my bike Sunday morning and ride 100 miles in the Muddy Waters Gran Fondo. (And no Jason, to answer your question, Gran Fondo is not a cheese). You’ll recall last year I was injured and hired a stunt double to ride for me, shown here on the right with Brother Al at the start. I’ve always wanted to be a redhead.
You may also recall it was a very hot day. Here he is at the end of the race ride, resplendent in the afterglow of my incredible accomplishment.
I’ve been holding off on writing about this year’s race ride since professional photography is as yet unavailable. But waiting is hard, so I will forge ahead with the limited shots I took myself. Like this one of the lineup to the porta-potties.
Eventually, I did reach the front of the line, and not long after we rolled out of the Forks led by an escort of Winnipeg’s Finest. This was a great opportunity to witness the “accordion effect” where as the group accelerates and slows, the people at the back are subjected to being strung out then slammed together like… well, an accordion. Last time I did Muddy Waters, I was closer to the back. Not so fun. Being near the front this year was much better, with the added bonus of the hilarious sound effects coming from behind.
It was a beautiful day and a spectacular ride, as is clearly evident by my equally spectacular pictures. Sadly I only had the opportunity to take these three.
You see what happens when you don’t come to take pictures, Stefan??
As hard as the ride was, after a week of riding the Black Hills of South Dakota the flat roads were a welcome change. Another welcome change from my vacation riding was being with other people – LOTS of people. Everyone was awesome, even the one guy who doesn’t seem to like being behind girls. That’s ok buddy, my 9 year-old son thinks girls are icky too.
Thanks to everyone I had the pleasure of riding with. Even if the pictures don’t really show it, it was an awesome day.
Somehow it never occurred to me to attend a ride, its not a race. I tend to think of rides as cyclist social events and I don’t want to impose but I think I better after seeing that tilted picture of the sky.
Good pics; how did you take that one over a helmet? And were you the front rider? Or was it over the guy who doesn’t like riding behind girls? Which might explain his issue? Why is the sky crooked? So many questions, so little time. Great ride.
Actually I was standing on the handlebars of the guy who doesn’t like riding behind girls. Boy, he sure didn’t like that. What a grouch.
Based on the pace you and your group were going when you lapped me inside Birds Hill, I’m guessing the guy who didn’t like riding behind you didn’t have to endure it for long. I’m also guessing that he didn’t have the wattage necessary to say it to your face.
Even thou your son might have a point about girls being “icky” I’ll bet your son has better manners then the guy who’s balls haven’t quite dropped yet. To him I say HTFU !
Funny that very same guy was at the pool yesterday. His pool etiquette was about as impressive as his bike handling skills. Unfortunately he only lasted about 500 meters which is I’m sure longer than he lasts ………well you know.