Summer winding down......Ride is still hot hot hot though
Big group out tonight as some guys are left feeling they need to make a point or two before the season is up... Pretty much right away the ride was under pressure from Stage 1 riders Chris C and Todd H. Through the cobbles there was some partial gaps that were developing, but everybody got the point pretty quick. Tonight would be on the brisk side.
VQ Rob did his part as well, jumping off before Mountain road... Again, brief gaps then recollecting then further accelerations...
After the first climb of Mountain Rd, Chris C and Mason from Dartmouth hit "play" on the remote and were away... VQ Rob jumped next to catch them just as they were hitting the small steps after Higgans Rd. Then Hunter P launched up to bridge. Joe K was on his wheel like flys to stink...
Joe kept on, riding thru the group, now the front of the Peleton as everyone had cought up. Fuji Chris was riding hard and off the front to catch Joe. The Rider on the Seven as well. There were a couple of newish faces up there driving the pace, and several had a hand in keeping up the tempo, But Joe was doing an impressive job of staying 7-10 seconds away from everyone's germs. Coming up to the stop light on route 68\70, Joe made it thru cleanly, while the peleton missed it by 2 seconds. There was some speculation as to whether Joe would wait, but that was dashed to pieces when there was no sight of him on Moss Farms. Bookie Rondo started putting odds on his chances \ when he would be caught \ who would be taking credit for the chase.
Cruising down Moss Farms, Kyle F, VQ Rob, & Seven had jumped off the front and were working together to create a gap. Coming into the chicane tho, everyone was together under the pressure from Eric M, Peter P, and Tall John. As the feild turned into the Industrial Park, Joe could be seen up the road. 20 seconds is all he had after the light now.
In the park, Mike McG as near the front, spurning riders along. Eric M as well. Empire Matt came up towards the end and that got everyone's attention as well. As the front of the peleton came up to the 4-way intersection of Peck ln, Joe was valiantly fighing the catch off. As the group came up to the corner of Reinhard, a small elite group had formed just off the front in anticipation of the catch and sprint. Empire Matt, Julio L, Greg C, Hunter P, Mike McG, Seven, Thompson from Keltic, Supa Dave(?) from Stage 1, Chris C(?) maybe a couple others. Joe was caught before the sprint started and Mike had little problem taking it to the top of the hill. Hats off to Joe for the strong solo effort. Just goes to show the speed of the ride, erasing 45-60 seconds on a strong dude like Joe K.
Onto Peck Ln, Where VQ Rob, Eric M, Thompson from Keltic, Hunter P and couple others all had a hand in keeping the speed high. Coming up to Rt 10, Chris C and Rob had jumped a bit off the front. Hunter P bridged up and the 3 had a small but no-joking-around gap heading up the hill past the park. (site of CheshireCross 08! Get your CX bikes out!) By the top of the hill it was down to just Chris & Hunter and soon they would get swallowed up by the juggernaut.
Fast forwarding to the Stop&Shop sprint, Tall John was again flexing might and leading out what seemed like too many riders. In the end Little T, coming off injury, out kicked Mike McG to the top.
Reds lights-a-plenty in through town, and as the ride made its way back, it became pretty gnarly at the front. Riders spread 6 across the road at some points, and a couple of heavy brakes making things interesting... Perhaps the season is winding down just in the knick of time...
In the end Peter P dug China-deep to overtake Little T for the last man standing award... Good job Pete.
On the hill, Mason had a bit of a headstart, but was tracked down by a whipped Hunter P, Greg F from CCR took over, going up and past, but towing Chris B who was lurking in the shadows all ride. Chris jumped hard and last to take the top, with Greg, Mason, VQ Rob on cool down mode, hunter and a couple others all in the back. Good to see more guys braving it out to the high point of the TWC.
Tuesday the 19th
First off.... If you haven't seen it:
the video
We have a copy of the article at the shop, in case anyone would like to see it. It indeed shows off the ride honestly and is "pro racer".
Onto the ride....
Today was a bit slower than usual. Maybe the cooler air was reminding people that summer is coming to a close.
There was no action until Mount Sanford Rd when Guido and Tall John took control and sped things up at the front. Moving onto Mountain rd where Chris C went first up the hill, charging off with Todd H in tow. Things got moving after that and a few different faces were up front for the rest of Mountain Rd. Rondo and a new rider in a full Fuji kit (one of the McCormick bros perhaps?) took off near the end of Mountain, but were brought back in time for the light.
Moss Farms is where Guido, a new rider in a black helmet, and the Seven Cycles rider took off, but they were given little room to roam and soon it was Stage 1 at the front again with Chris C and Super Dave at the helm. Things shuffled around a bit before the chicane and it was Eric M, joe K, and Tall John, all trying to sneak off the front. Eric got the hill before Marion first but he was caught by the rest of them halfway up. The usual suspects were back to driving the pace up and past the corner; Foremost was Joe K.... Also Little T, Mike McG, Hunter P and the mystery Fuji rider again. Joe K and Rondo ended up working the front as the ride moved into the industrial park. Still the pace was under control.
Speeds came down a bit up till the run into Reinhard. That hill took its usual toll and filtered out the front to a select group. There was a bit of a gap as the ride turned right onto Reinhard. Chris C, Julio L from Stage 1, O'Shea from Keltic, Mike McG, Little T, Fuji, Joe K, Eric M, Yahor Buben (?!) from CCB as well. There may have been a couple more... Hunter P was late in getting up to the group, but was there for Mike's jump at the base of the climb... Little T rocketed up and away, taking only the CCB rider with him. Nearly 200 meters is what Little T had to hold it for and still CCB wouldnt ( couldnt? ) come around. Great job T.
CCB charged on on the downhill whereas Little T sat up. Behind them, Hunter P led O'Shea and Julio L up thru the corner right behind the 2 in front. Hunter P and O'Shea drilled it on the descent and soon caught the CCB rider. Then Ed Angeli from Benidorm ( good to see him out on the ride ) rode up to the group after bridging on the descent. That would set up a break of 5 that certainly would have plenty of horsies. The 5 worked well for the rest of Peck Ln as the peleton chased behind. Several contributed to the chase, Mike McG up Peck, Chris C, Guido and others. As the front group turned onto RT 10 some sat up, which left just Hunter P and O'Shea to charge up past Cheshire Park. But they too would be caught by the top.
As the ride neared Stop n Shop, Tall John, always playing the rebel to conventional wisdom, jumped out in front with Rondo in tow. Hunter P jumped hard to close the gap to the 2 just as they hit the base of the hill. The leadout was for naught, as Rondo and Hunter sat up just in time for Eric M to come flying by at take the sprint point.
The rest of the ride was normal... O'Shea, Eric M, Stage 1, and Tall John were back to drilling it in the lead-in to Hamden. On cue, with 1k to go, a train lead by Mike McG came barreling by which set up Little T nicely. Again, he had company as CCB was velcroed to his wheel. Little T was still able to finish in front, even with CCB out of saddle cheating to get around....
wow to that...
Next week we will strap a power meter to T's wheel and see if we cant melt some expensive electronics.
the video
We have a copy of the article at the shop, in case anyone would like to see it. It indeed shows off the ride honestly and is "pro racer".
Onto the ride....
Today was a bit slower than usual. Maybe the cooler air was reminding people that summer is coming to a close.
There was no action until Mount Sanford Rd when Guido and Tall John took control and sped things up at the front. Moving onto Mountain rd where Chris C went first up the hill, charging off with Todd H in tow. Things got moving after that and a few different faces were up front for the rest of Mountain Rd. Rondo and a new rider in a full Fuji kit (one of the McCormick bros perhaps?) took off near the end of Mountain, but were brought back in time for the light.
Moss Farms is where Guido, a new rider in a black helmet, and the Seven Cycles rider took off, but they were given little room to roam and soon it was Stage 1 at the front again with Chris C and Super Dave at the helm. Things shuffled around a bit before the chicane and it was Eric M, joe K, and Tall John, all trying to sneak off the front. Eric got the hill before Marion first but he was caught by the rest of them halfway up. The usual suspects were back to driving the pace up and past the corner; Foremost was Joe K.... Also Little T, Mike McG, Hunter P and the mystery Fuji rider again. Joe K and Rondo ended up working the front as the ride moved into the industrial park. Still the pace was under control.
Speeds came down a bit up till the run into Reinhard. That hill took its usual toll and filtered out the front to a select group. There was a bit of a gap as the ride turned right onto Reinhard. Chris C, Julio L from Stage 1, O'Shea from Keltic, Mike McG, Little T, Fuji, Joe K, Eric M, Yahor Buben (?!) from CCB as well. There may have been a couple more... Hunter P was late in getting up to the group, but was there for Mike's jump at the base of the climb... Little T rocketed up and away, taking only the CCB rider with him. Nearly 200 meters is what Little T had to hold it for and still CCB wouldnt ( couldnt? ) come around. Great job T.
CCB charged on on the downhill whereas Little T sat up. Behind them, Hunter P led O'Shea and Julio L up thru the corner right behind the 2 in front. Hunter P and O'Shea drilled it on the descent and soon caught the CCB rider. Then Ed Angeli from Benidorm ( good to see him out on the ride ) rode up to the group after bridging on the descent. That would set up a break of 5 that certainly would have plenty of horsies. The 5 worked well for the rest of Peck Ln as the peleton chased behind. Several contributed to the chase, Mike McG up Peck, Chris C, Guido and others. As the front group turned onto RT 10 some sat up, which left just Hunter P and O'Shea to charge up past Cheshire Park. But they too would be caught by the top.
As the ride neared Stop n Shop, Tall John, always playing the rebel to conventional wisdom, jumped out in front with Rondo in tow. Hunter P jumped hard to close the gap to the 2 just as they hit the base of the hill. The leadout was for naught, as Rondo and Hunter sat up just in time for Eric M to come flying by at take the sprint point.
The rest of the ride was normal... O'Shea, Eric M, Stage 1, and Tall John were back to drilling it in the lead-in to Hamden. On cue, with 1k to go, a train lead by Mike McG came barreling by which set up Little T nicely. Again, he had company as CCB was velcroed to his wheel. Little T was still able to finish in front, even with CCB out of saddle cheating to get around....
wow to that...
Next week we will strap a power meter to T's wheel and see if we cant melt some expensive electronics.
Tuesday the 12th
First off. VOTE FOR CHESHIRE CYCLE in the Readers Choice Awards!
If you enjoy reading the blog, surely you have reason to cast a few votes and get the shop recognized. Thanks for your support. Make sure you vote for at least 24 other categories.
(and while you are at it, Pop's Pizza is hands down the best in Cheshire, vote for them too.)
Ok on tonight's action.... vacations perhaps thinned the ride out a little today. Only around 45 guys out.
Heading out of the start house and into Cheshire, John Gregory and Jesse from Keltic were lighting it up. Also Rick on a C-Dale and a couple of others. On Brooksvale a small gap was briefly opened under the efforts of a very aerodynamic Tall John. But it didnt last long and the whole ride was together to Mountain Rd. Eric M and Chris C led everyone up the first riser on Mountain.
Tall John again fired off some bullets by jumping on Mountain road. The ride was humming along at this point. There was gapping being done by the end of Mountain Rd. Chris C, Rondo, Jesse K, Tall John, a yale rider, and a couple of others had a bit a of gap with 1k to go on Mountain. But Eric M and Hunter P closed it down before the light came up.
Onto Moss Farms where Stage 1 riders Dave Hartmann ( ?!) and one other (George D?!) came up and started going hard. By the Chicane, the two Stage 1 guys had been at the front for 3\4 mile. Impressive... Up the hill to Marion was quick and there was a group again beginning to form up the road a bit. Chris C, Julio, Dave, tall John, Todd H, Rider on a Storck and a couple of others were just out there, dangling at 30 yards. It took efforts by Eric M, a now regular Rider in a Yellow&Blck kit, and Hunter P to bring them back by the industrial park.
Crazy Chris and Chris C were all about the Industrial Park tonight, leading at least two separate charges when no one else would step up. Onto West Johnson where Eric M & the Rider on the Storck were trying to sneak away off the front. Hunter P then jumped hard after the intersection for Peck ln, no doubt trying to spoil the Little T sprinting tutorial that was soon to come on Rienhart. Joe K jumped even harder after a few seconds and the two looked dangerous charging up the hill. This got this into alert mode in the field. Mike McG ( looking serious with his racing set of wheels on for the day ) came up and did the lions share of the chase. Joe and Hunter would be caught pretty early on Reinhard, but the acceleration certainly would change things up for the sprint. There was no killer Mike McG jump\leadout this time and there actually was a rider who snuck away on his own ( name, I.D. ? ). But Julio from Stage 1 had been riding the wave well and jumped hard at the right moment, and was able to collect the prize at the top o the hill.
It all came back together on the descent but Mike McG had a huge tech failure on the "cobbles" down the backside. At 30+ mph his steerer tube broke, leaving him with out handlebars. In a move that would make Ned Overend wonder how, Mike was able to no-hands it for a couple of crucial seconds till Dillon P ( Vote for his shop! See above link, seems only fair, help save Mike... get a couple of votes ) got hold of Mike's shoulder to steady him. Mike had the wherewithal to reach to his left and grab hold of Dave from Stage 1 and the 3 slowly came to a stop. Dave, doing the majority of the braking, got caught up in Mike's bike when Mike had to skip-stop out of the pedals to come to full stop. ( apparently coming to full rest on a bike is hard when there is no handlebar.... go figure )... In the end, no one got badly hurt despite it being pretty much the worst thing that can happen on a bumpy descent.
The whole ride, tho in front of this, held up and waited for while... Soft pedaling to Route 10. Buy the time Rt 10 came, there was a smaller group of about 15-20 that were content to keep going.
Reporting on the rest of the ride is sort of needless, as the rest of the night, riders were coming back to Hamden in small groups. The head group continued along at full speed once on RT 10. Jesse from Keltic nearly got the Stop n Shop sprint... Joe K was able to pass him just in the nick of time on the top of th hill, bearing down hard on a red light.... So it was close. The front group did have the pleasure of seeing Greg C from Keltic, at Dairy Queen in Cheshire, enjoying a blizzard with his new girlfriend... Ah, budding romance.....
Coming in to the finale, Jesse was giving Hunter P a good fight, along with a new rider atop a red Giant. Hunter P got it in the end.
The rest of the ride cruised in.... Mike was able to re-set his steerer tube and nurse it back home...
If you enjoy reading the blog, surely you have reason to cast a few votes and get the shop recognized. Thanks for your support. Make sure you vote for at least 24 other categories.
(and while you are at it, Pop's Pizza is hands down the best in Cheshire, vote for them too.)
Ok on tonight's action.... vacations perhaps thinned the ride out a little today. Only around 45 guys out.
Heading out of the start house and into Cheshire, John Gregory and Jesse from Keltic were lighting it up. Also Rick on a C-Dale and a couple of others. On Brooksvale a small gap was briefly opened under the efforts of a very aerodynamic Tall John. But it didnt last long and the whole ride was together to Mountain Rd. Eric M and Chris C led everyone up the first riser on Mountain.
Tall John again fired off some bullets by jumping on Mountain road. The ride was humming along at this point. There was gapping being done by the end of Mountain Rd. Chris C, Rondo, Jesse K, Tall John, a yale rider, and a couple of others had a bit a of gap with 1k to go on Mountain. But Eric M and Hunter P closed it down before the light came up.
Onto Moss Farms where Stage 1 riders Dave Hartmann ( ?!) and one other (George D?!) came up and started going hard. By the Chicane, the two Stage 1 guys had been at the front for 3\4 mile. Impressive... Up the hill to Marion was quick and there was a group again beginning to form up the road a bit. Chris C, Julio, Dave, tall John, Todd H, Rider on a Storck and a couple of others were just out there, dangling at 30 yards. It took efforts by Eric M, a now regular Rider in a Yellow&Blck kit, and Hunter P to bring them back by the industrial park.
Crazy Chris and Chris C were all about the Industrial Park tonight, leading at least two separate charges when no one else would step up. Onto West Johnson where Eric M & the Rider on the Storck were trying to sneak away off the front. Hunter P then jumped hard after the intersection for Peck ln, no doubt trying to spoil the Little T sprinting tutorial that was soon to come on Rienhart. Joe K jumped even harder after a few seconds and the two looked dangerous charging up the hill. This got this into alert mode in the field. Mike McG ( looking serious with his racing set of wheels on for the day ) came up and did the lions share of the chase. Joe and Hunter would be caught pretty early on Reinhard, but the acceleration certainly would change things up for the sprint. There was no killer Mike McG jump\leadout this time and there actually was a rider who snuck away on his own ( name, I.D. ? ). But Julio from Stage 1 had been riding the wave well and jumped hard at the right moment, and was able to collect the prize at the top o the hill.
It all came back together on the descent but Mike McG had a huge tech failure on the "cobbles" down the backside. At 30+ mph his steerer tube broke, leaving him with out handlebars. In a move that would make Ned Overend wonder how, Mike was able to no-hands it for a couple of crucial seconds till Dillon P ( Vote for his shop! See above link, seems only fair, help save Mike... get a couple of votes ) got hold of Mike's shoulder to steady him. Mike had the wherewithal to reach to his left and grab hold of Dave from Stage 1 and the 3 slowly came to a stop. Dave, doing the majority of the braking, got caught up in Mike's bike when Mike had to skip-stop out of the pedals to come to full stop. ( apparently coming to full rest on a bike is hard when there is no handlebar.... go figure )... In the end, no one got badly hurt despite it being pretty much the worst thing that can happen on a bumpy descent.
The whole ride, tho in front of this, held up and waited for while... Soft pedaling to Route 10. Buy the time Rt 10 came, there was a smaller group of about 15-20 that were content to keep going.
Reporting on the rest of the ride is sort of needless, as the rest of the night, riders were coming back to Hamden in small groups. The head group continued along at full speed once on RT 10. Jesse from Keltic nearly got the Stop n Shop sprint... Joe K was able to pass him just in the nick of time on the top of th hill, bearing down hard on a red light.... So it was close. The front group did have the pleasure of seeing Greg C from Keltic, at Dairy Queen in Cheshire, enjoying a blizzard with his new girlfriend... Ah, budding romance.....
Coming in to the finale, Jesse was giving Hunter P a good fight, along with a new rider atop a red Giant. Hunter P got it in the end.
The rest of the ride cruised in.... Mike was able to re-set his steerer tube and nurse it back home...
Tuesday the 5th
Extra Extra read all about it. Sleeping Giant Ride is finally considered news worthy. Local networks are rushing for TV rights. We will all be rich!
Dillon P here at Cheshire Cycle suggested to a reporter that he come out and do a quick story about the champion-like efforts that are put on display every week for the WTCs. Jamison was a nice fellow, along with his cute video-grapher. Hopefully we will have some news soon about the result of his visit to the launchpad.
Onto the ride where there was a lower than usual turnout. Maybe 45-50 guys, probably less. A few notables were missing.
Turning off RT 10 saw Eric M, Rich on a C-dale and Hunter P setting early tempo. Peter P was out and also drilling it. Kyle F, back from a bit of a hiatus, got things going on Mount Sanford, riding off alone. The front of the ride was content to let him dangle out there. Guido jumped up to bridge but was stuck in between for the length of Brooksvale but eventually caught him going onto Mountain Rd.
Eric M and Peter P were going hard on Mountain and the two were brought back pretty quick on the first riser. VQ Rob was also up there and kept it motoring after the catch was made. Up the second riser Hunter P and Rondo were setting a good pace and there were a couple of small gaps but nothing really developed for the rest of the way down Mountain Rd. Good pace making was seen by Stage 1 riders Todd H and Julio L.
Onto Moss Farms were the real fireworks started. VQ Rob snuck off the light at Rt 68 quickly and was making a solo effort. Eric M jumped right away on Moss Farms and took Hunter P along with him. The 2 went by Rob and kept it up. Back in the field, high pace was set by Peter P and Chris C and a couple of others. Just when Eric and Hunter were turning the attack off a group of riders came up, sporting a respectable gap behind them. The front of the ride quickly got organized and there was a break. Textbook peleton sifting!
The break, (not all listed, if we missed you let us know, we will correct it):
VQ Rob
Eric M
Hunter P
Peter P
Julio L
Todd H
Gregg F
Assos kit on a Seven
Chris C
Rich B (sachs)
Guido
The group was strong and got to work quickly. By the Chicane they had maybe 10 seconds. Going up the hill toward Marion was a controlled effort, and no one fell off the pace. Hunter P and Eric M doing a good job keeping it tight and together. Behind them, Mike McG, not one to be left out, had attacked and was taking along Little T. There were a couple of other guys who were also trying to make up the gap. By the turn onto Knotter Mike, Little T, and Crazy Chris from Stage 1 had made the lead group. Others made it too... Going into the industrial park, the group had grown to maybe 20.
No one was in a hurry to attack from here and the lead grew over the peleton that was now being powered by Kyle F, John Gregory, Rondo, Morgan from Keltic and only a couple others. Team work was not great and there was little chance of catching so much muscle up the road.
Up front, heading to the Reinhard Sprint, Mike McG started it off for no one in particular, others followed. Little T jumped next, but still with a long way to go. Hunter P was on his wheel a bit late and had to settle for second as there was no beating "The T" this time. It all came back together on the descent. Though Rich B lost a bottle on the cobbles and was out of the break. There was damage done to others as well. The group lost a few but also picked up a few short-cutters. From there to RT 10 it was pretty solid as the break dealt with a headwind. There was a brief split as pressure from Mike McG, Eric M and Julio L created a gap as the break made it to the high poing on Peck ln. Credit Chris C with closing a pretty stubborn gap there. Still the break was riding away from the peleton, but not by much.
Going up to the Stop n Shop sprint, more guys again trying to beat Little T to it, but he was able to let loose that signature sprint with more than enough room to spare.
Back in the Peleton, Kyle F flew up the hill by Cheshire Park. His efforts were followed by Pete on a Scott, and the rider on the Felt ( yellow and black jersey ). The peleton was fortunate with traffic lights whereas the break was getting caught at nearly everyone of them. By the light at the intersection of 10 and 68\70 the break was caught and back in with the peleton.
Chris Butler had snuck thru one of the lights with VQ Rob. Rob decided to wait, Chris did not. He was powering ahead alone and would have a hard time of staying away once the peleton got out of town. But not before one more chance to have our picture taken at the Green in the center of Cheshire (say "CHAMOIS" everyone!)
Chris got caught halfway into the H'den. From there it was the usual "i think i can, i think i can" effort from more than a few guys jostling for a crack at the end. When the dust settled, Little T was last to go, riding off with Hunter P firmly glued to his wheel. Both guys kept it fair by staying in the saddle and in the end, Hunter got around him with less than 75 meters to go. It was very tight and we are probably calling it like this just to keep the hat trick out of T's hands.
If there was a points jersey to give out, Little T would own it by about 5000 points over the next guy.
Dillon P here at Cheshire Cycle suggested to a reporter that he come out and do a quick story about the champion-like efforts that are put on display every week for the WTCs. Jamison was a nice fellow, along with his cute video-grapher. Hopefully we will have some news soon about the result of his visit to the launchpad.
Onto the ride where there was a lower than usual turnout. Maybe 45-50 guys, probably less. A few notables were missing.
Turning off RT 10 saw Eric M, Rich on a C-dale and Hunter P setting early tempo. Peter P was out and also drilling it. Kyle F, back from a bit of a hiatus, got things going on Mount Sanford, riding off alone. The front of the ride was content to let him dangle out there. Guido jumped up to bridge but was stuck in between for the length of Brooksvale but eventually caught him going onto Mountain Rd.
Eric M and Peter P were going hard on Mountain and the two were brought back pretty quick on the first riser. VQ Rob was also up there and kept it motoring after the catch was made. Up the second riser Hunter P and Rondo were setting a good pace and there were a couple of small gaps but nothing really developed for the rest of the way down Mountain Rd. Good pace making was seen by Stage 1 riders Todd H and Julio L.
Onto Moss Farms were the real fireworks started. VQ Rob snuck off the light at Rt 68 quickly and was making a solo effort. Eric M jumped right away on Moss Farms and took Hunter P along with him. The 2 went by Rob and kept it up. Back in the field, high pace was set by Peter P and Chris C and a couple of others. Just when Eric and Hunter were turning the attack off a group of riders came up, sporting a respectable gap behind them. The front of the ride quickly got organized and there was a break. Textbook peleton sifting!
The break, (not all listed, if we missed you let us know, we will correct it):
VQ Rob
Eric M
Hunter P
Peter P
Julio L
Todd H
Gregg F
Assos kit on a Seven
Chris C
Rich B (sachs)
Guido
The group was strong and got to work quickly. By the Chicane they had maybe 10 seconds. Going up the hill toward Marion was a controlled effort, and no one fell off the pace. Hunter P and Eric M doing a good job keeping it tight and together. Behind them, Mike McG, not one to be left out, had attacked and was taking along Little T. There were a couple of other guys who were also trying to make up the gap. By the turn onto Knotter Mike, Little T, and Crazy Chris from Stage 1 had made the lead group. Others made it too... Going into the industrial park, the group had grown to maybe 20.
No one was in a hurry to attack from here and the lead grew over the peleton that was now being powered by Kyle F, John Gregory, Rondo, Morgan from Keltic and only a couple others. Team work was not great and there was little chance of catching so much muscle up the road.
Up front, heading to the Reinhard Sprint, Mike McG started it off for no one in particular, others followed. Little T jumped next, but still with a long way to go. Hunter P was on his wheel a bit late and had to settle for second as there was no beating "The T" this time. It all came back together on the descent. Though Rich B lost a bottle on the cobbles and was out of the break. There was damage done to others as well. The group lost a few but also picked up a few short-cutters. From there to RT 10 it was pretty solid as the break dealt with a headwind. There was a brief split as pressure from Mike McG, Eric M and Julio L created a gap as the break made it to the high poing on Peck ln. Credit Chris C with closing a pretty stubborn gap there. Still the break was riding away from the peleton, but not by much.
Going up to the Stop n Shop sprint, more guys again trying to beat Little T to it, but he was able to let loose that signature sprint with more than enough room to spare.
Back in the Peleton, Kyle F flew up the hill by Cheshire Park. His efforts were followed by Pete on a Scott, and the rider on the Felt ( yellow and black jersey ). The peleton was fortunate with traffic lights whereas the break was getting caught at nearly everyone of them. By the light at the intersection of 10 and 68\70 the break was caught and back in with the peleton.
Chris Butler had snuck thru one of the lights with VQ Rob. Rob decided to wait, Chris did not. He was powering ahead alone and would have a hard time of staying away once the peleton got out of town. But not before one more chance to have our picture taken at the Green in the center of Cheshire (say "CHAMOIS" everyone!)
Chris got caught halfway into the H'den. From there it was the usual "i think i can, i think i can" effort from more than a few guys jostling for a crack at the end. When the dust settled, Little T was last to go, riding off with Hunter P firmly glued to his wheel. Both guys kept it fair by staying in the saddle and in the end, Hunter got around him with less than 75 meters to go. It was very tight and we are probably calling it like this just to keep the hat trick out of T's hands.
If there was a points jersey to give out, Little T would own it by about 5000 points over the next guy.
Tuesday the 29th
Big crowd today for the ride. Probably over 60 riders.
Enough chit chat…. To the action….
Right away off route 10 we had two riders pulling away. Jesse K from Keltic and another rider (Mason?) got to work and had a gap of 100 meters quickly. There was some chasing at first, Rich on a C-dale, Richard Sachs rider (name?) and Gregg F from CCR leading the chase. Morgan from Keltic as well. When the ride hit the cobbles section of Brooksvale the chase slowed. Shortly thereafter Empire Matt came flying by alone. Matt is on the most-wanted list, so that got things going briskly. The 2 leaders were caught just as the Target Training rider (name?) was jumping up and riding straight thru the front of the field. The pace went up at this point with riders spread out and there being no real front end of the peleton. Going down South brooksvale Empire Matt jumped hard again on the wheel of Vision Quest Rob. Dillon P went as well and by the corner for Mountain Rd there was a gap to a strong group in the front. Some traffic going thru the corner slowed the peleton. Up the first ramp of Mountain, Mike McG, not wanting the bus to leave without him, came up and went hard to close the gap. That put a group of around 10 or so, up the road, looking very dangerous…..
VQ Rob, Eric M, Target Training, Guido, Dillon P, Mike McG, a ride from CT Coast Cycling, Empire Matt, Jesse K, Mason, Julio from Stage one, another rider from Yale, etc…. Certainly enough horsepower to really make things interesting but the group didn’t have the greatest team work. So with some hard chasing by Little T, Shawn Forsythe ( He dropped in from R.I. to go for a ride, good to see him back ), Chris C and Hunter P, the group was brought back by Cornwall ave. From there it was all together to RT 68.
Onto Moss Farms where Target Training, in familiar fashion, went up the road alone. There was some chasing at first, but he rolled off and going into the Chicane, he was still up the road by 30 meters or so. Back in the chase, Mike McG lead everyone thru with a Tri-rider on a Trek, CT Coast, Hunter P and others waiting to go. On the hill Mike jumped hard, and everyone was able to follow. Target Training was finally reeled in on the hill. Mike is still churning out the pace though and its him and Hunter P that get the pace going on Marion. The 2 had a bit of gap that held to the industrial park.
Moving thru the park the speed wasn’t crazy fast. Shawn F drilled it up the first hill turning onto West Johnson Ave. That got things going again and rolling thru the intersection of Peck ln, tension was rising for the hills and sprint up ahead. The rises in the road and lack of traffic certainly make this spot a good one to “race” for….
200 meters before the corner of Reinhard and a lead-out train was forming. Mike McG again with Little T in tow, Chris C in there for good measure. Target Training was up the road just a tad with another rider but not far enough to take it to the top of the hill. Mike jumped hard of course, with lots of riders in his wake, Gregg F, Shawn, Guido etc. Little T easily jumped out and got a gap but was tracked down with only a few meters to the corner by Hunter P who had jumped from 10 bikes back when Empire Matt came screaming by. Matt cut the engines halfway up the hill but the late, FAST jump was enough of a leadout for Hunter.
Things came back together on the descent. Onto Peck ln where Chris Butler from Cheshire Cycle had made his way to the front and was drilling it. Matt came up too and was going hard again. Things stayed tight up to RT 10. Heading into the Stop n Shop hill, again, there was more battling up front. Keltic riders looking after Kelts, CCR riders getting Dillon P up to the front. No one seemed to care about the police car sitting and watching, as we came barreling by 4 across in the road in spots….. Empire Matt started the sprint off, Little T got his revenge and jumped off Chris C’s (?) wheel and beat everyone to the line. It was a fast one!
Heading back into Hamden….. ho hum…. Nothing exciting….. Little T was able to get the best of Shawn (?) back to Shepard Ave. But it was very close and both guys were going hard and had ridden away from the rest of us.
On the hill, Chris Butler and Hunter P again dueled it out….. We are calling that one a tie…
----official's notes: The following riders were fined 25 euro’s for yellow line infractions:
Gregg F
Hunter P
Jesse K and what the hell, Greg C too
VQ Rob
Chris B
Target Training
Guido
Look Kit rider
Joe K
Enough chit chat…. To the action….
Right away off route 10 we had two riders pulling away. Jesse K from Keltic and another rider (Mason?) got to work and had a gap of 100 meters quickly. There was some chasing at first, Rich on a C-dale, Richard Sachs rider (name?) and Gregg F from CCR leading the chase. Morgan from Keltic as well. When the ride hit the cobbles section of Brooksvale the chase slowed. Shortly thereafter Empire Matt came flying by alone. Matt is on the most-wanted list, so that got things going briskly. The 2 leaders were caught just as the Target Training rider (name?) was jumping up and riding straight thru the front of the field. The pace went up at this point with riders spread out and there being no real front end of the peleton. Going down South brooksvale Empire Matt jumped hard again on the wheel of Vision Quest Rob. Dillon P went as well and by the corner for Mountain Rd there was a gap to a strong group in the front. Some traffic going thru the corner slowed the peleton. Up the first ramp of Mountain, Mike McG, not wanting the bus to leave without him, came up and went hard to close the gap. That put a group of around 10 or so, up the road, looking very dangerous…..
VQ Rob, Eric M, Target Training, Guido, Dillon P, Mike McG, a ride from CT Coast Cycling, Empire Matt, Jesse K, Mason, Julio from Stage one, another rider from Yale, etc…. Certainly enough horsepower to really make things interesting but the group didn’t have the greatest team work. So with some hard chasing by Little T, Shawn Forsythe ( He dropped in from R.I. to go for a ride, good to see him back ), Chris C and Hunter P, the group was brought back by Cornwall ave. From there it was all together to RT 68.
Onto Moss Farms where Target Training, in familiar fashion, went up the road alone. There was some chasing at first, but he rolled off and going into the Chicane, he was still up the road by 30 meters or so. Back in the chase, Mike McG lead everyone thru with a Tri-rider on a Trek, CT Coast, Hunter P and others waiting to go. On the hill Mike jumped hard, and everyone was able to follow. Target Training was finally reeled in on the hill. Mike is still churning out the pace though and its him and Hunter P that get the pace going on Marion. The 2 had a bit of gap that held to the industrial park.
Moving thru the park the speed wasn’t crazy fast. Shawn F drilled it up the first hill turning onto West Johnson Ave. That got things going again and rolling thru the intersection of Peck ln, tension was rising for the hills and sprint up ahead. The rises in the road and lack of traffic certainly make this spot a good one to “race” for….
200 meters before the corner of Reinhard and a lead-out train was forming. Mike McG again with Little T in tow, Chris C in there for good measure. Target Training was up the road just a tad with another rider but not far enough to take it to the top of the hill. Mike jumped hard of course, with lots of riders in his wake, Gregg F, Shawn, Guido etc. Little T easily jumped out and got a gap but was tracked down with only a few meters to the corner by Hunter P who had jumped from 10 bikes back when Empire Matt came screaming by. Matt cut the engines halfway up the hill but the late, FAST jump was enough of a leadout for Hunter.
Things came back together on the descent. Onto Peck ln where Chris Butler from Cheshire Cycle had made his way to the front and was drilling it. Matt came up too and was going hard again. Things stayed tight up to RT 10. Heading into the Stop n Shop hill, again, there was more battling up front. Keltic riders looking after Kelts, CCR riders getting Dillon P up to the front. No one seemed to care about the police car sitting and watching, as we came barreling by 4 across in the road in spots….. Empire Matt started the sprint off, Little T got his revenge and jumped off Chris C’s (?) wheel and beat everyone to the line. It was a fast one!
Heading back into Hamden….. ho hum…. Nothing exciting….. Little T was able to get the best of Shawn (?) back to Shepard Ave. But it was very close and both guys were going hard and had ridden away from the rest of us.
On the hill, Chris Butler and Hunter P again dueled it out….. We are calling that one a tie…
----official's notes: The following riders were fined 25 euro’s for yellow line infractions:
Gregg F
Hunter P
Jesse K and what the hell, Greg C too
VQ Rob
Chris B
Target Training
Guido
Look Kit rider
Joe K
Tuesday the 22nd
The ride got underway with a hearty group of around 50 riders tonight. There continues to be a weekly new face or two.
Turning onto Brooksvale saw Dillon P riding off the front as the rest of the field slowly got things going. Dillon never got farther than 40 yards and by the time the turn to Mount Sanford was made, he was caught by a field led by Eric M and other Keltic riders. Plowing down South Brooksvale was quicker than normal as Target Training came up and drilled it. He had help from Tall John, Larry Lounge and a rider in an Alpe Du Heuz jersey. Just as the ride was nearing Mountain rd, Empire Matt came breezing thru on his TT rig. So that of course means that the yard sticks were gonna be out for this ride. He punched it right away on Mountain, with Eric M and a Stage one rider in tow (Todd H?). The pace was high but everyone stayed together. Going down the road past Higgans a small gap started to open under the pressure from Matt, Tall John, John Gregory, and Trek TT rider (?!). Hunter P jumped up late which brought pressure from the front of the chase and that closed things up for the rest of the way down Mountain.
Onto Moss Farms where Target Training again went straight at it. He created a good gap for himself pretty quickly. The chase wasnt being done by any one person but going into the Chicane we had Eric M and Greg from Keltic. Morgan may have been up there too. And there was a couple of Stage One riders up there as well. Chris C and Brian Girard (?!). Good to see Brian back in the ride if that was him. Coming up to the base of the quick climb to Marion, Target Training was caught, and that let the pace ease a bit right away. Turning onto Marion was a lot slower than normal. Once thru Tall John, complete with the spirit of Fiordafruitta in his skinsuit, started TTing away from everyone else. There wasnt a ton of pressure to catch him as everyone was preparing for the industrial park hill section.
Turning onto West Johnson, Empire Matt was back up there going hard, Mike McG was moving up as well. Girard jumped early on the hill up to Reinhard and following him was a bunch of riders, Chris C, Hunter P, Little T, Target Training and a couple of others. Target Training rode thru Girard and was the first to jump up the sprint hill. Chris C and Hunter were giving a slow chase. Then, in probably-calculated fashion, Mike McG came by at full speed with Little T in tow. That kinda leadout was more than enough to send Little T easily past Target Training to pick up the points. Coming down the backside saw everyone get back together.
>>>>the rest of this write-up is being brought to you commercial-free by:
BONK BREAKER ENERGY BARS...
"If they are good enough for Rondo's Rage, they are surely good enough for your sorry ass."
Back to the action on Peck Ln where Chris Butler from Cheshire Cycle Racing was moving up with Gregg F and Hunter P. The 3 punched it hard but no one was really having it. Target Training closed a gap and everything was fast and attack free till Route 10.
The usual suspects were keeping it respectable into the headwind on 10. Chris B was still up there trying to get free. Morgan from Keltic and Stage 1 riders too. Coming up to the Stop & Shop Sprint, Little T was again slotted in under Mike's care. There was some more jockeying for position as other guys would be shooting for this one. Tall John took off early in an unselfish move & when it was said and done Little T had a line of bikes about 30 yards long to follow and took prize number 2 on the night.
Nothing unusual about the run into Hamden. There was a small split at the front briefly as Guido and others were turning the knob to high. Credit Gregg F for shutting a small but tough gap as the ride came into Hamden. For the final K, Mike McG was again at the front going hard, this time with Hunter P ready to go. Hunter jumped hard off Mike's wheel, but a little too early as a few select riders were picking up speed for the last 400 meters. Target Training and Little T most notably. In the end, we are giving Little T credit for getting there first.
Well done on the hat trick for Mr Alessio. Its been a while, if ever, one guy getting all the bragging rights on the night. Though admittingly, he had help.
Going up Shepard Ave. Chris B was untouched in the final assault on his heart rate and got to the top easily over Gregg F.
Turning onto Brooksvale saw Dillon P riding off the front as the rest of the field slowly got things going. Dillon never got farther than 40 yards and by the time the turn to Mount Sanford was made, he was caught by a field led by Eric M and other Keltic riders. Plowing down South Brooksvale was quicker than normal as Target Training came up and drilled it. He had help from Tall John, Larry Lounge and a rider in an Alpe Du Heuz jersey. Just as the ride was nearing Mountain rd, Empire Matt came breezing thru on his TT rig. So that of course means that the yard sticks were gonna be out for this ride. He punched it right away on Mountain, with Eric M and a Stage one rider in tow (Todd H?). The pace was high but everyone stayed together. Going down the road past Higgans a small gap started to open under the pressure from Matt, Tall John, John Gregory, and Trek TT rider (?!). Hunter P jumped up late which brought pressure from the front of the chase and that closed things up for the rest of the way down Mountain.
Onto Moss Farms where Target Training again went straight at it. He created a good gap for himself pretty quickly. The chase wasnt being done by any one person but going into the Chicane we had Eric M and Greg from Keltic. Morgan may have been up there too. And there was a couple of Stage One riders up there as well. Chris C and Brian Girard (?!). Good to see Brian back in the ride if that was him. Coming up to the base of the quick climb to Marion, Target Training was caught, and that let the pace ease a bit right away. Turning onto Marion was a lot slower than normal. Once thru Tall John, complete with the spirit of Fiordafruitta in his skinsuit, started TTing away from everyone else. There wasnt a ton of pressure to catch him as everyone was preparing for the industrial park hill section.
Turning onto West Johnson, Empire Matt was back up there going hard, Mike McG was moving up as well. Girard jumped early on the hill up to Reinhard and following him was a bunch of riders, Chris C, Hunter P, Little T, Target Training and a couple of others. Target Training rode thru Girard and was the first to jump up the sprint hill. Chris C and Hunter were giving a slow chase. Then, in probably-calculated fashion, Mike McG came by at full speed with Little T in tow. That kinda leadout was more than enough to send Little T easily past Target Training to pick up the points. Coming down the backside saw everyone get back together.
>>>>the rest of this write-up is being brought to you commercial-free by:
BONK BREAKER ENERGY BARS...
"If they are good enough for Rondo's Rage, they are surely good enough for your sorry ass."
Back to the action on Peck Ln where Chris Butler from Cheshire Cycle Racing was moving up with Gregg F and Hunter P. The 3 punched it hard but no one was really having it. Target Training closed a gap and everything was fast and attack free till Route 10.
The usual suspects were keeping it respectable into the headwind on 10. Chris B was still up there trying to get free. Morgan from Keltic and Stage 1 riders too. Coming up to the Stop & Shop Sprint, Little T was again slotted in under Mike's care. There was some more jockeying for position as other guys would be shooting for this one. Tall John took off early in an unselfish move & when it was said and done Little T had a line of bikes about 30 yards long to follow and took prize number 2 on the night.
Nothing unusual about the run into Hamden. There was a small split at the front briefly as Guido and others were turning the knob to high. Credit Gregg F for shutting a small but tough gap as the ride came into Hamden. For the final K, Mike McG was again at the front going hard, this time with Hunter P ready to go. Hunter jumped hard off Mike's wheel, but a little too early as a few select riders were picking up speed for the last 400 meters. Target Training and Little T most notably. In the end, we are giving Little T credit for getting there first.
Well done on the hat trick for Mr Alessio. Its been a while, if ever, one guy getting all the bragging rights on the night. Though admittingly, he had help.
Going up Shepard Ave. Chris B was untouched in the final assault on his heart rate and got to the top easily over Gregg F.
Tuesday the 15th
First off, a big 'ol thanks to Craig from Bonk Breaker for dropping by the parking lot and giving out full Bonk bar samples. Not just little ones! The whole thing! Go out and buy some Bonk Breaker bars kids!
So after our little tea party was over the ride commenced with around 45-55 guys. The Keltic boys, along with Dillon P and a couple of others were eager and they rolled off a little gap right away. By the turn onto Brooksvale a gap had opened up. A few had joined the Keltic charge and there was a split. But with some traffic while turning onto Mount Sanford, the peleton, led by Dartmouth Mason and Stage 1, brought it back.
The ride resumed normal pace. an effort by a new Target Training rider (?!) on South Brooksvale got things going quicker than normal. Then heavy traffic while turning onto Mountain Rd meant everyone had to (gasp!) stop... and start from a standstill... Target Training right away jumped back into attack mode and made everyone chase up the opening hill. Going down the rest of Mountain was pretty much standard stuff. Hunter P attacked while going by Cornwall Ave, that set off a reaction that almost led to another split in the field at the light as the front 15 got the green. But everyone else was close enought to scamper thru the intersection.
Once on Moss Farms, Target Training again went off the front. He wasnt given too much room as Stage 1 was pretty much controlling the ride at this piont. As the ride came down to the chicane, there was four Stage 1 riders at the front. Even still, for the second week in a row, Pete (on a Scott) was the first thru in the Chicane. He let off though, just as Hunter P was jumping hard and early on the hill torward Marion. He went thru the corner alone, but He was soon caught by the field, led by Chris C, Crazy Chris, Jesse and Greg from Keltic and others.
That brought us into the industrial park where Tall John opened it up and put in a good effort. Eric M, Rondo, Joe K, Thompson from Keltic, Guido, all were up there driving the bus. Onto West Johnson where the Keltic \ Stage 1 battle for Best Team raged on. The ride paused for a bit at the Peck Ln intersection for traffic ( again ). But that didnt stop Mike McG from getting to the front and drilling it up to Reinhard. The ride was very much together here and it was a tense free for all heading to the sprint point. Big guns Little T, Target Training, Peter Petrillo, and Chris B were all making their way to the front. Mike McG jumped first in regular fashion but attached at his hip was Jesse from Keltic. Jesse was able to use the final meters to come around and he gets credit for the sprint ahead of Mike and Target Training.
Once onto Peck, Chris B used the chance to drill it. The pace was high as Hunter P and Thompson kept it moving along. Onto Route 10 where Stage 1 and Keltic set it off again. The field was screaming up the hill past Cheshire Park. Chris B jumped off a red light at Maple Ave fair and square and headed to the Stop & Shop sprint alone. Little T was making his way up, with Dillon P in tow, along with Mike McG, Greg from Keltic and others. The light was red though which pretty much voided the sprint. Hard to say if Chris woulda held off the charge from Little T. Our money is on the teacher.
Flying into Hamden....Peter P, Rondo, Eric M, Thompson, Tall John, Mike McG and a couple of others all had a hand in ramping in up. Mike McG and Little T faded back toward the end to get a good look at the last kilo, and sure enough they lit the rockets as the front of the ride slowed about 750 meters from the Shepard ave. Little T stuck with it to the very end. But there were others right there as well.
And ho-hum, a side point, Chris B and Hunter P continued to the top of Shepard. Mason and an unknown rider from Iowa U (!?) as well came up for the icing on the cake.
Great ride!
So after our little tea party was over the ride commenced with around 45-55 guys. The Keltic boys, along with Dillon P and a couple of others were eager and they rolled off a little gap right away. By the turn onto Brooksvale a gap had opened up. A few had joined the Keltic charge and there was a split. But with some traffic while turning onto Mount Sanford, the peleton, led by Dartmouth Mason and Stage 1, brought it back.
The ride resumed normal pace. an effort by a new Target Training rider (?!) on South Brooksvale got things going quicker than normal. Then heavy traffic while turning onto Mountain Rd meant everyone had to (gasp!) stop... and start from a standstill... Target Training right away jumped back into attack mode and made everyone chase up the opening hill. Going down the rest of Mountain was pretty much standard stuff. Hunter P attacked while going by Cornwall Ave, that set off a reaction that almost led to another split in the field at the light as the front 15 got the green. But everyone else was close enought to scamper thru the intersection.
Once on Moss Farms, Target Training again went off the front. He wasnt given too much room as Stage 1 was pretty much controlling the ride at this piont. As the ride came down to the chicane, there was four Stage 1 riders at the front. Even still, for the second week in a row, Pete (on a Scott) was the first thru in the Chicane. He let off though, just as Hunter P was jumping hard and early on the hill torward Marion. He went thru the corner alone, but He was soon caught by the field, led by Chris C, Crazy Chris, Jesse and Greg from Keltic and others.
That brought us into the industrial park where Tall John opened it up and put in a good effort. Eric M, Rondo, Joe K, Thompson from Keltic, Guido, all were up there driving the bus. Onto West Johnson where the Keltic \ Stage 1 battle for Best Team raged on. The ride paused for a bit at the Peck Ln intersection for traffic ( again ). But that didnt stop Mike McG from getting to the front and drilling it up to Reinhard. The ride was very much together here and it was a tense free for all heading to the sprint point. Big guns Little T, Target Training, Peter Petrillo, and Chris B were all making their way to the front. Mike McG jumped first in regular fashion but attached at his hip was Jesse from Keltic. Jesse was able to use the final meters to come around and he gets credit for the sprint ahead of Mike and Target Training.
Once onto Peck, Chris B used the chance to drill it. The pace was high as Hunter P and Thompson kept it moving along. Onto Route 10 where Stage 1 and Keltic set it off again. The field was screaming up the hill past Cheshire Park. Chris B jumped off a red light at Maple Ave fair and square and headed to the Stop & Shop sprint alone. Little T was making his way up, with Dillon P in tow, along with Mike McG, Greg from Keltic and others. The light was red though which pretty much voided the sprint. Hard to say if Chris woulda held off the charge from Little T. Our money is on the teacher.
Flying into Hamden....Peter P, Rondo, Eric M, Thompson, Tall John, Mike McG and a couple of others all had a hand in ramping in up. Mike McG and Little T faded back toward the end to get a good look at the last kilo, and sure enough they lit the rockets as the front of the ride slowed about 750 meters from the Shepard ave. Little T stuck with it to the very end. But there were others right there as well.
And ho-hum, a side point, Chris B and Hunter P continued to the top of Shepard. Mason and an unknown rider from Iowa U (!?) as well came up for the icing on the cake.
Great ride!
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