The final ride of 09 leaves us all a little teary eyed.
There was little parking lot talk of this being the final edition of the TWC. But once the riding began in earnest, you could def sense that guys were looking to leave it all out there with the hopes of putting a mark on what has been a pretty darn good year for the Throwdown.
Right off route 10, Ridley Ben and Thomaas B were early instigators. Hunter P got involved along with Guido and that was enough to spring the day’s first group willing to role the dice against the impressive forces behind. Also in the break was Eric M, Dillon P and Chris Mahoney (?). That rolled along thru the Mount Sanford and then thru the cobbles , but some traffic turning onto North Brooksvale slowed the group and it came back together. Right after the catch Chris C moved to the front to make himself known as did Lityle T and Mike McG. Also moving up was Hacker and Chris Jones. Good to have CJones back out on the ride, especially with a nice little I'm-riding-a-Cross-bike handicap.
On to Mountain Road where Thomaas B and Hunter P got things going up the first riser. There was another momentary gap but it came back together behind Chris Jones, Mike McG and Little T. From there the pace was good as the heavy hitters stayed near the front and kept the pace making brisk.
Onto Moss Farms where pace was decent again, Peter P, Guido, and other beefcakes keeping it real. Hunter P and Guido led everyone into the Chicane, with Guido dropping back a bit to collect himself for the attack. There was no activity behind Hunter P till Guido came surging off the front again. No one immediately responded, but a couple seconds later Hunter P jumped off the very front to slowly catch Guido a little past the corner. Guido’s surge plus Hunter’s broke the front up a bit, and a few riders took advantage to drill it after the corner. Steve Grey and a Bethel Cycles teammate, Eric M, and another rider ( Peter P?) came up and with Guido and Hunter off the front, a break was formed. This rolled along for a kilo, with Guido and Hunter P doing the brunt of the work. Behind the usual guys were riding tempo, slowly bringing it back. By the industrial park, it was all together again, although Steve Grey remained at the front and pushed the pace up till the corner of West Johnson Ave.
Coming up to Reinhard, the speed was a little higher than usual, as no one was really attacking the front. ( cue Chris Butler? ) Jones and Hacker moved up to the front, doing what they do, and was putting the pressure on the sprinters behind to keep em close. And plenty of sprinters behind there were. You name em, they were were present and accounted for. Really…. At this point in the year, do we even need to name them??? Anyway up the first part of Reinhard, Steve Grey actually found a way to still be up there but he was as good as a pig on a spit up there spinning slowly and dying quickly. Hack Attach and Jones continued to stay at the front locked in “dare me to go” poses. Julio L may have been the first to jump proper, but Little T was right behind him. Also there to respond was Joe K, who ended up being the only one to fight Little T to the very very end. Little T hit the corner first tho by a meter or 2, continuing his nearly unbeaten season in the trivial throwdown sprints.
After the corner, 16-teams-a-year-Jones and Hacker continued the strong riding, fyling down the road toward Peck lane as the working class sorted themselves out behind. They hit Peck Lane with a thin 4 second gap over Joe K and then another 3 seconds to the peleton. Joe K would try to catch them on Peck, but he would get brought back by the field. The 2 up the road however, kept the gap steady up to Sandback Rd. Behind them, Guido came up to the front and pulled everyone with a vengeance from the old train tracks to Route 10, a good kilo+. That cut deeply into the gap. A red light right immediately at the base of the hill on Route 10 slowed the chase and delayed the catch another couple of minutes. In that time, Julio L was also needed to come to the front and take a long drag on the front. With it still fast, and still strung out like a junkie after Yom Kippur, it was kinda anyone’s guess for the Stop N Shop Sprint. Kinda because not too many doubted that Little T was gonna bend chainrings to lock up his sprinter‘s Tee shirt prize. Still…. He had some work cut out for him, not being in the front 12 bikes or so with 300 meters to go. Mike McG, everyone’s teammate except for Chris C, came by Little T and dragged him up to and past the fornt, leaving Little T only a bit of homework to do to get past Hacker and a couple of other guys who were in a decent spot.
Rolling thru a tired rush hour Cheshire, for the last time this year was bitter sweet. You almost had to smile with affection as a truck pulled out and nearly took out the front of the ride. Thomaas B tried to ride off the front. No dice. The usual guys were doing the work down into Hamden, plus Jones and a cute chick in a ACT jersey (name?). In the end, Julio L, Chappy, and others ( where was Guido!? ) had a chance, but Little T sealed this year up for everyone.
Who knows what a week will bring… Maybe the sun will pause in the sky for us for one more week of immature fun on 2 wheels. We doubt it tho.
All n all, it was a great year. Please be sure to check out the new “best of” survey on the sidebar and leave your vote. Come over to the shop and buy a SG tee, we’ll have a dart board with a picture of Rondo on it.
Tuesday the 29th
A decent sized group was out tonight, despite the 5:30 start time. With only fun charity rides, long NH hikes, or tortuous cross races left on the calendar, everyone seemed up for a jab or two and right off Route 10 Guido was up there trying to get something started off the front. Bergie was having nothing of that and pegged that gap back quick for everyone. Then it was Eric M and Chris Mahoney trying to sneak off but again, the pace was quick thanks to Chris C and others and it was all together heading to Mountain Rd.
Hunter P and Greg Ciocci flew up the first slopes there got things rolling. Peter P was up there too along with Mike McG and Little T. For a second there was another gap on the 2nd set of risers but that was short lived as guys like Yalie Adam and Joe K were moving up. For the rest of the trip down Mountain, there were plenty of guys willing to work and the ride snapped like a carbon fiber whip. Yalie Adam was once again powering off near the end of Mountain, maybe to sneak off. He had Hunter P and Dillon P right there but with the red light, it all came back together again.
After the ride nearly suffered a collision with a car from behind on Moss Farms. It was French Casey leading the charge with John Gregory, Julio L, Chris C, Eric M, Rondo, etc. all close behind. Rolling into the chicane was pretty calm with no one really gunning it. Once at the top though Rondo, Chris C and Chappy Chris hit the gas and no one followed immediately. Once there was a gap it seemed like everyone would just rather wait and see how this one turned out instead of chasing the happy trio down. The gap went up to 7 or 8 seconds as Yalie Adam moved to the front and set a catch-em tempo. Then, as pigs were flying across the road nearly making bacon of themselves, Rondo turned it off and let the Chris’s roll off. Gianni Bugno was rolling in his grave* as the breakaway of 2 then disintegrated. It was pretty much all gruppo compacto heading into the industrial park. There, Guido (?) gave it a go and gapped the field briefly with Chris C still fighting it out off the front. Behind them, Peter P was leading the rest. Chris turned first onto West Johnson and gave it another stab but Peter P and Hunter P were right there and then it was Hunter P’s turn to go and he rolled off alone. The front of the field went into a brief tempo mode, giving Hunter a decent gap heading up to Rienhard. Guido was the first to jump and jump hard he did, going right past Hunter P hitting the corner first with a decent chance to get the sprint. Behind there was a real deal chase group riding away from the rest, Mike McG, Ken just Ken, Joe K, Greg Ciocci, Julio L, Peter P. Little T was close behind. That group swept up Hunter P and set the sights on the German. Just as the catch was being made, Little T jumped, taking most of the group with him but only Joe K had the fighting chance. T stuck it out and hit the corner first. Behind, Hunter P and Ciocci were rolling thru and collecting the near dead in order to keep up a gap off the front. A group of 5 or so got going fast down the back side, but traffic turning onto Peck Ln stopped everyone, bringing it all back together.
Coming up to Route 10, there was a brief move off the front by Peter P, Chris C, Chappy & Hunter P, but that didn’t last too long. From there the pace was decent up to the Stop N Shop sprint where a small group was quick to get into position off the front. LittleT, Julio L, Ciocci, and Peter P. Little T out-dueled Peter P for this one, making it two in row.
Moving thru Cheshire, TT Pete was seen dangling off the front, no doubt looking to pounce on any chance to get a gap to drive it home with. Guido was also up there getting ready to hit it in between lights. Once thru town, Julio L came up to the front and drilled it. Leading out all for a solid kilo before the likes of Mike McG and Eric M pulled thru.
For the final couple of clicks, the pace slowed for a second or 2, giving an unlikely Dillon P the honors of burying himself for Rondo, Little T, Hunter P and a couple of others. The race to the end was a 3 way battle till the Guido came rumbling thru in time to pass Little T and let him know how it was going to end. Little T sat up and rolled in right behind Guido, Hunter P and Bergie right there as well. Although for standing during the final, (cough - ahem - err) “sprint”, he gets a big fat DQ on this night.
Great ride everyone… Probably only one more week of these shenanigans left.
* Gianni Bugno is alive and well and probably, along with his fellow Romans, cursing the near overnight dominance of SRAM Road groups.
Hunter P and Greg Ciocci flew up the first slopes there got things rolling. Peter P was up there too along with Mike McG and Little T. For a second there was another gap on the 2nd set of risers but that was short lived as guys like Yalie Adam and Joe K were moving up. For the rest of the trip down Mountain, there were plenty of guys willing to work and the ride snapped like a carbon fiber whip. Yalie Adam was once again powering off near the end of Mountain, maybe to sneak off. He had Hunter P and Dillon P right there but with the red light, it all came back together again.
After the ride nearly suffered a collision with a car from behind on Moss Farms. It was French Casey leading the charge with John Gregory, Julio L, Chris C, Eric M, Rondo, etc. all close behind. Rolling into the chicane was pretty calm with no one really gunning it. Once at the top though Rondo, Chris C and Chappy Chris hit the gas and no one followed immediately. Once there was a gap it seemed like everyone would just rather wait and see how this one turned out instead of chasing the happy trio down. The gap went up to 7 or 8 seconds as Yalie Adam moved to the front and set a catch-em tempo. Then, as pigs were flying across the road nearly making bacon of themselves, Rondo turned it off and let the Chris’s roll off. Gianni Bugno was rolling in his grave* as the breakaway of 2 then disintegrated. It was pretty much all gruppo compacto heading into the industrial park. There, Guido (?) gave it a go and gapped the field briefly with Chris C still fighting it out off the front. Behind them, Peter P was leading the rest. Chris turned first onto West Johnson and gave it another stab but Peter P and Hunter P were right there and then it was Hunter P’s turn to go and he rolled off alone. The front of the field went into a brief tempo mode, giving Hunter a decent gap heading up to Rienhard. Guido was the first to jump and jump hard he did, going right past Hunter P hitting the corner first with a decent chance to get the sprint. Behind there was a real deal chase group riding away from the rest, Mike McG, Ken just Ken, Joe K, Greg Ciocci, Julio L, Peter P. Little T was close behind. That group swept up Hunter P and set the sights on the German. Just as the catch was being made, Little T jumped, taking most of the group with him but only Joe K had the fighting chance. T stuck it out and hit the corner first. Behind, Hunter P and Ciocci were rolling thru and collecting the near dead in order to keep up a gap off the front. A group of 5 or so got going fast down the back side, but traffic turning onto Peck Ln stopped everyone, bringing it all back together.
Coming up to Route 10, there was a brief move off the front by Peter P, Chris C, Chappy & Hunter P, but that didn’t last too long. From there the pace was decent up to the Stop N Shop sprint where a small group was quick to get into position off the front. LittleT, Julio L, Ciocci, and Peter P. Little T out-dueled Peter P for this one, making it two in row.
Moving thru Cheshire, TT Pete was seen dangling off the front, no doubt looking to pounce on any chance to get a gap to drive it home with. Guido was also up there getting ready to hit it in between lights. Once thru town, Julio L came up to the front and drilled it. Leading out all for a solid kilo before the likes of Mike McG and Eric M pulled thru.
For the final couple of clicks, the pace slowed for a second or 2, giving an unlikely Dillon P the honors of burying himself for Rondo, Little T, Hunter P and a couple of others. The race to the end was a 3 way battle till the Guido came rumbling thru in time to pass Little T and let him know how it was going to end. Little T sat up and rolled in right behind Guido, Hunter P and Bergie right there as well. Although for standing during the final, (cough - ahem - err) “sprint”, he gets a big fat DQ on this night.
Great ride everyone… Probably only one more week of these shenanigans left.
* Gianni Bugno is alive and well and probably, along with his fellow Romans, cursing the near overnight dominance of SRAM Road groups.
Tuesday the 29th
Looks like the ride is leaving at 5:30 tonight. If you have any questions, leave them here or feel free to call the shop.... 203 250 9996
Hope to see ALL the usuals out there.
Hope to see ALL the usuals out there.
Tuesday the 15th
Sniff Sniff, we miss the long (easier) loop
A good sized group out tonight and right from the start there was a group that was threatening to pull off the front… Julio L and John Gregory the main offenders among them.
But things settled down quickly, even tho the the pace was “tense” for a while. Eric M took over pace making along with VQ Rob. And soon enough, Mike McG and winter racer Kurt Davis were heading up to the front and turning the microwave to “defrost” mode. Cruising up Mountain road, Kurt D led for a healthy spell and by the second set of risers was starting to lead a small group off the front. Chris C, Tall John, Steve Grey, Ciocci, Tim Ratatata among the guys up front putting down a strong tempo. Then nearing the end of Mountain Rd, another group almost got free, no doubt looking for green daylight, but everyone stopped for the light on route 68.
Kurt D went straight to the front on Moss Farms and took Hunter P and T. Ratta along with him. The 3 went to work together but were being given zero to none leeway from the leaders of the peleton. Mike McG and Chris C among the ones keeping it close. The trio up the road wouldn’t fade easily and so the pace heading to the Chicane was brisk to say the least. Once caught, Davis wasn’t yet done and continued to stay near the front and help things move along with plenty of fiber. After that stretch, things calmed down and slowed down leading into the Chicane and no one was there to really drill it. Mike MaHoney, Eric M and Ciocci (?) were up there bringing everyone thru. Once everyone made it safely thru the turn into the industrial park things got going again with Little T and Ratta trying to separate themselves…. Crazy Chris, Julio L and a couple of others were up there as well and for a moment it looked like they may succeed in at least getting to West Johnson Ave with a gap but things slowed down a bit, no doubt due to Ratta’s short ride virginity. Next was Davis as he accelerated up the first initial risers of West Johnson. He took along a couple of Stage 3 guys (?) but that fizzed out by going thru the intersection of Peck Lane. Rondo took a dig, no doubt using that extra time he spent on the short bus kicking butt with the other “B ride” riders to his advantage. He looked like he was in a decent position to go for it as he went up the initial part of Reinhart with a few seconds but that evaporated pretty quickly as Little T sped off with Mike McG and Hunter P in tow. Those 3 took off and stayed exactly in that order as Little T kept on the gas all the way to the corner, leading out and winning the sprint in impressive fashion.
On the backside it all came back together before Peck Ln. Heading up to route 10 Julio L and Chris C obviously hatched some type of plan and were gunning it before and into the corner. Ratta, just looking to not go slow, jumped on and the 3 had a gap of maybe 7 seconds at the base of the hill by Cheshire Park. Hunter P jumped from the front of the rest and bridged up just as it was coming apart. Ratta sensed the hesitation and attacked the front, riding off alone. The Peleton was going up to the leaders, led by a host of guys, VQ Rob, Guido, Ciocci, Bergie, Mike McG, Little T etc. Hats off to Robyn as well for staying right up there close to the front, all ride long for the most part. Ratta got thru the first light on Route 10 as everyone behind had to stop. He soft pedaled after that and let everyone catch back on. Super sporting of him as he no doubt could have given it a fair & square run the whole way to the Stop n Shop sprint with the gap he had.
Once it came back together the pace went up again as it was single file to the sprint with only a few guys in position with the speed to contest it. Ratta, Mike McG, Hunter P, Julio, Chris C, and 1 or 2 more with a chance. In the end it was Ratta leading out Little T which is never gonna end pretty and Little T came around easily to secure more “Green SG Tee Shirt” points.
Heading back to Hamden was normal. We think there was some scheming being done again by TT Pete and Guido but any gap off the front they had was small & brief. It got a little clogged up in the finale after Curt D put in his final 2 cents worth and pulled off. With one on to follow, it slowed and then with Mike McG and Little T air ramming the left side, that was the place to be… Julio was up there? Or was it VQ Rob? Either way Little t got it and rounded out the hat trick for the night. Making up for last week’s debacle.
Good ride and a thanks to Curt D for helping make it a proper fast ride.
A good sized group out tonight and right from the start there was a group that was threatening to pull off the front… Julio L and John Gregory the main offenders among them.
But things settled down quickly, even tho the the pace was “tense” for a while. Eric M took over pace making along with VQ Rob. And soon enough, Mike McG and winter racer Kurt Davis were heading up to the front and turning the microwave to “defrost” mode. Cruising up Mountain road, Kurt D led for a healthy spell and by the second set of risers was starting to lead a small group off the front. Chris C, Tall John, Steve Grey, Ciocci, Tim Ratatata among the guys up front putting down a strong tempo. Then nearing the end of Mountain Rd, another group almost got free, no doubt looking for green daylight, but everyone stopped for the light on route 68.
Kurt D went straight to the front on Moss Farms and took Hunter P and T. Ratta along with him. The 3 went to work together but were being given zero to none leeway from the leaders of the peleton. Mike McG and Chris C among the ones keeping it close. The trio up the road wouldn’t fade easily and so the pace heading to the Chicane was brisk to say the least. Once caught, Davis wasn’t yet done and continued to stay near the front and help things move along with plenty of fiber. After that stretch, things calmed down and slowed down leading into the Chicane and no one was there to really drill it. Mike MaHoney, Eric M and Ciocci (?) were up there bringing everyone thru. Once everyone made it safely thru the turn into the industrial park things got going again with Little T and Ratta trying to separate themselves…. Crazy Chris, Julio L and a couple of others were up there as well and for a moment it looked like they may succeed in at least getting to West Johnson Ave with a gap but things slowed down a bit, no doubt due to Ratta’s short ride virginity. Next was Davis as he accelerated up the first initial risers of West Johnson. He took along a couple of Stage 3 guys (?) but that fizzed out by going thru the intersection of Peck Lane. Rondo took a dig, no doubt using that extra time he spent on the short bus kicking butt with the other “B ride” riders to his advantage. He looked like he was in a decent position to go for it as he went up the initial part of Reinhart with a few seconds but that evaporated pretty quickly as Little T sped off with Mike McG and Hunter P in tow. Those 3 took off and stayed exactly in that order as Little T kept on the gas all the way to the corner, leading out and winning the sprint in impressive fashion.
On the backside it all came back together before Peck Ln. Heading up to route 10 Julio L and Chris C obviously hatched some type of plan and were gunning it before and into the corner. Ratta, just looking to not go slow, jumped on and the 3 had a gap of maybe 7 seconds at the base of the hill by Cheshire Park. Hunter P jumped from the front of the rest and bridged up just as it was coming apart. Ratta sensed the hesitation and attacked the front, riding off alone. The Peleton was going up to the leaders, led by a host of guys, VQ Rob, Guido, Ciocci, Bergie, Mike McG, Little T etc. Hats off to Robyn as well for staying right up there close to the front, all ride long for the most part. Ratta got thru the first light on Route 10 as everyone behind had to stop. He soft pedaled after that and let everyone catch back on. Super sporting of him as he no doubt could have given it a fair & square run the whole way to the Stop n Shop sprint with the gap he had.
Once it came back together the pace went up again as it was single file to the sprint with only a few guys in position with the speed to contest it. Ratta, Mike McG, Hunter P, Julio, Chris C, and 1 or 2 more with a chance. In the end it was Ratta leading out Little T which is never gonna end pretty and Little T came around easily to secure more “Green SG Tee Shirt” points.
Heading back to Hamden was normal. We think there was some scheming being done again by TT Pete and Guido but any gap off the front they had was small & brief. It got a little clogged up in the finale after Curt D put in his final 2 cents worth and pulled off. With one on to follow, it slowed and then with Mike McG and Little T air ramming the left side, that was the place to be… Julio was up there? Or was it VQ Rob? Either way Little t got it and rounded out the hat trick for the night. Making up for last week’s debacle.
Good ride and a thanks to Curt D for helping make it a proper fast ride.
Tuesday the 8th
Everybody brings their A game in search of the last chances to get some ink…
A smaller than usual crowd out tonight and it was decided by the powers that be… ( not Rondo ) that the ride would do a type of medium longish short loop, cutting off Mount Vernon rd mid way down the usual run.
Everyone agreed and the ride was off. It took a little while to get up to speed, and in the interim, Dillon P and Antonio rode off the front soon after route 10. They were joined by a couple of others… Tri Guy, Texas Ryan (?!) etc… No one was in a huge hurry to rope em back… Koski, Eric M and Mike McG were setting the tempo that would bring them back.
The ride got going a little quicker then with Tim Ratatatat Ratta up there pushing it with Texas Ryan, Hunter P and Ken just ken. Dillon P had another dig on Mount Sanford, only to be ignored back into the group. Once on mountain rd, Mike McG and Hunter P kicked things off in a good way, driving it up the first riser… Julio L and Chris C followed up and things were moving right along. On the 2nd set of risers, Hunter P attacked, taking along Guido along him. The 2 hit the top with a bit of a gap, but that survived as long as a Thor Hushovd victory sprint. Again, Koski, Mike McG and Rondo up there bringing it back together.
Once on Moss Farms, it was Hunter P, Texas Ryan and Rondo setting early tempo on much improved-from-last-week roads. It was a free for all heading into the Chicane, Ken just Ken, Mike McG, Peter K, Gregg F, etc all up there. Little T bided his time on the ramp up to Marion and when he did jump, was challenged by Guido. Little T went thru 1st with Guido and Hunter P right there. That became a dangerous trio as the 3 worked together with a no joke gap flying to the industrial park. It took some elbow grease to bring them back but with the help of Green Mountain Stage Race Veteran Eddy A, they were brought back in time for the weekly “who’s going short, who’s going long….errr…..medium” debate. Only a few guys peeled off as peer pressure reared its ugly head once again.
Once over 322, Little t got things going and then was followed by Peter K of CCR and Ken just ken. The pace was good down Mount Vernon Rd. with a few guys taking turns. Tim Ratatatat was up there a lot with Special Ed. Tim R has been rumored to be fielding offers for O ten from the Medics, the Bubbles, the Targets, the Yalies, the Cheshire Racers and Guido’s soon to be announced one man team (?!). No word on who his spiritual advisor and manager is pushing him toward…. Not to mention the fact that he still has a year left on his deal with US Army\Central Wheel, mopping the bike shop floors at night and shooting things and people during every fourth weekend. Stay tuned for late breaking news….
As the ride got to the false flat that ironically forces most to the truth about themselves, Mike McG had a dig and Hunter P followed. Special Ed was there…. Ratatatat too maybe, but that was pretty much it. Even so they couldn’t make it far off the front, instead just putting everyone in a pot of hurt. We're sure there is no love lost by some as we say goodbye to Mount Vernon till the winter rides.
As the turn down Jude lane approached, the speed dropped off a bit…. Joe K, playing the game with perfection, quietly, yet effectively, rode off the front, using the hometown advantage he had. As everyone behind got used to the new surroundings, He was off and that would be all he needed. By the time the Peleton got going under the wheels of Chris C, Texas Ryan, Eric M and Mike McG, Joe was up the road and not to be caught anytime soon. The hill up to West Street brought the ride to a new all time low speed, but even still, everyone stayed together… Julio L throttled it downhill toward Main St. Still Joe K was off the front alone. He would end up having to stop at the light on 322, which brought the ride back together. The way into Cheshire and to route 10 was fast. Gregg F, Hunter P, Jacinto, Chris C and a couple of others went full gas into the cobbles and the riser up Peck Ln, but no dice…. The powers that be kept it all together. Once on Route 10 things settled down a bit. Traffic lights again proved to be pesky. On the light at Maple Ave, Mike McG lept off the line, taking Jacinto with him. What looked like an innocent gap turned into a we’re-gonna-make-it-type gap… Mike shed Jacinto at the last moment on the run it to the sprint hill. Behind Little T jumped up from a few bike back, passing Julio, Hunter P, Ciocci (?) and others, but was not able to get up to Mike, who took it.
Heading back into Hamden, the usual suspects were up there, driving the pace. Rondo, Eric M, Chris C, Silent Steve, Todd H, Ratatatat, and Texas Ryan. At one point (the last light in Cheshire?), Guido slipped away with one other rider (?). It a bold move, he tried to defy huge odds and ride it home by himself. He was caught after a kilo and a half or so, just as Mike McG was pulling thru for the last time. Soon after that Little T hit the front alone and fast… Riding off with a solid kilometer+ to go. It was down to French Casey and Dillon P to start the last second chase and they obliged, setting up the rider from San Fran (?) and then Hunter P to catch him. Just as Hunter P went over the top of T, the foreign freight train that is known as Julio L and Guido blew by all remaining and went off to settle it moungst themselves. Julio L gets the credit for this one, riding past Guido by a bike length when all was said and done, leaving Little T with a rare winless week.….
Great ride…. Next week back to the shorter loop. Its been confirmed…..
Also, because the SG ride kicks everyone’s ass now and then, and because it is like no other, and because this summer was an especially good one for the tradition and legacy of the ride… We’ve decided to make up some tee shirts. They will be sold at Cheshire Cycle for $13 each.
So far it’s just the one design, but depending on demand, we may do a second one. It would be helpful to us to have an idea of how many to make, so perhaps drop a line to info@cheshirecycle.com and let up know you want one. You can also tell us which type of cotton is best for your skin, the size that best shows off your calves, and the color that brings out your eyes… But regardless of all that, they will be in stock by the weekend. So come by, buy one, and show off the fact that you can hang with the ride that Rondo loves. We will be sending one to the Police Chief of Cheshire ASAP.
NOTE! We have just gotten confirmation.... Wearing this shirt to any social function held by Todd H or Tall John gets you unlimited keg stands ( once Crowell is done ) and control of the karaoke system.
A smaller than usual crowd out tonight and it was decided by the powers that be… ( not Rondo ) that the ride would do a type of medium longish short loop, cutting off Mount Vernon rd mid way down the usual run.
Everyone agreed and the ride was off. It took a little while to get up to speed, and in the interim, Dillon P and Antonio rode off the front soon after route 10. They were joined by a couple of others… Tri Guy, Texas Ryan (?!) etc… No one was in a huge hurry to rope em back… Koski, Eric M and Mike McG were setting the tempo that would bring them back.
The ride got going a little quicker then with Tim Ratatatat Ratta up there pushing it with Texas Ryan, Hunter P and Ken just ken. Dillon P had another dig on Mount Sanford, only to be ignored back into the group. Once on mountain rd, Mike McG and Hunter P kicked things off in a good way, driving it up the first riser… Julio L and Chris C followed up and things were moving right along. On the 2nd set of risers, Hunter P attacked, taking along Guido along him. The 2 hit the top with a bit of a gap, but that survived as long as a Thor Hushovd victory sprint. Again, Koski, Mike McG and Rondo up there bringing it back together.
Once on Moss Farms, it was Hunter P, Texas Ryan and Rondo setting early tempo on much improved-from-last-week roads. It was a free for all heading into the Chicane, Ken just Ken, Mike McG, Peter K, Gregg F, etc all up there. Little T bided his time on the ramp up to Marion and when he did jump, was challenged by Guido. Little T went thru 1st with Guido and Hunter P right there. That became a dangerous trio as the 3 worked together with a no joke gap flying to the industrial park. It took some elbow grease to bring them back but with the help of Green Mountain Stage Race Veteran Eddy A, they were brought back in time for the weekly “who’s going short, who’s going long….errr…..medium” debate. Only a few guys peeled off as peer pressure reared its ugly head once again.
Once over 322, Little t got things going and then was followed by Peter K of CCR and Ken just ken. The pace was good down Mount Vernon Rd. with a few guys taking turns. Tim Ratatatat was up there a lot with Special Ed. Tim R has been rumored to be fielding offers for O ten from the Medics, the Bubbles, the Targets, the Yalies, the Cheshire Racers and Guido’s soon to be announced one man team (?!). No word on who his spiritual advisor and manager is pushing him toward…. Not to mention the fact that he still has a year left on his deal with US Army\Central Wheel, mopping the bike shop floors at night and shooting things and people during every fourth weekend. Stay tuned for late breaking news….
As the ride got to the false flat that ironically forces most to the truth about themselves, Mike McG had a dig and Hunter P followed. Special Ed was there…. Ratatatat too maybe, but that was pretty much it. Even so they couldn’t make it far off the front, instead just putting everyone in a pot of hurt. We're sure there is no love lost by some as we say goodbye to Mount Vernon till the winter rides.
As the turn down Jude lane approached, the speed dropped off a bit…. Joe K, playing the game with perfection, quietly, yet effectively, rode off the front, using the hometown advantage he had. As everyone behind got used to the new surroundings, He was off and that would be all he needed. By the time the Peleton got going under the wheels of Chris C, Texas Ryan, Eric M and Mike McG, Joe was up the road and not to be caught anytime soon. The hill up to West Street brought the ride to a new all time low speed, but even still, everyone stayed together… Julio L throttled it downhill toward Main St. Still Joe K was off the front alone. He would end up having to stop at the light on 322, which brought the ride back together. The way into Cheshire and to route 10 was fast. Gregg F, Hunter P, Jacinto, Chris C and a couple of others went full gas into the cobbles and the riser up Peck Ln, but no dice…. The powers that be kept it all together. Once on Route 10 things settled down a bit. Traffic lights again proved to be pesky. On the light at Maple Ave, Mike McG lept off the line, taking Jacinto with him. What looked like an innocent gap turned into a we’re-gonna-make-it-type gap… Mike shed Jacinto at the last moment on the run it to the sprint hill. Behind Little T jumped up from a few bike back, passing Julio, Hunter P, Ciocci (?) and others, but was not able to get up to Mike, who took it.
Heading back into Hamden, the usual suspects were up there, driving the pace. Rondo, Eric M, Chris C, Silent Steve, Todd H, Ratatatat, and Texas Ryan. At one point (the last light in Cheshire?), Guido slipped away with one other rider (?). It a bold move, he tried to defy huge odds and ride it home by himself. He was caught after a kilo and a half or so, just as Mike McG was pulling thru for the last time. Soon after that Little T hit the front alone and fast… Riding off with a solid kilometer+ to go. It was down to French Casey and Dillon P to start the last second chase and they obliged, setting up the rider from San Fran (?) and then Hunter P to catch him. Just as Hunter P went over the top of T, the foreign freight train that is known as Julio L and Guido blew by all remaining and went off to settle it moungst themselves. Julio L gets the credit for this one, riding past Guido by a bike length when all was said and done, leaving Little T with a rare winless week.….
Great ride…. Next week back to the shorter loop. Its been confirmed…..
Also, because the SG ride kicks everyone’s ass now and then, and because it is like no other, and because this summer was an especially good one for the tradition and legacy of the ride… We’ve decided to make up some tee shirts. They will be sold at Cheshire Cycle for $13 each.
So far it’s just the one design, but depending on demand, we may do a second one. It would be helpful to us to have an idea of how many to make, so perhaps drop a line to info@cheshirecycle.com and let up know you want one. You can also tell us which type of cotton is best for your skin, the size that best shows off your calves, and the color that brings out your eyes… But regardless of all that, they will be in stock by the weekend. So come by, buy one, and show off the fact that you can hang with the ride that Rondo loves. We will be sending one to the Police Chief of Cheshire ASAP.
NOTE! We have just gotten confirmation.... Wearing this shirt to any social function held by Todd H or Tall John gets you unlimited keg stands ( once Crowell is done ) and control of the karaoke system.
Tuesday the 1st
BIG group out tonight…. Maybe 70 guys and a few new girls on the ride too. It seemed to be almost like a end of the summer ride….. With only a couple of guys going up to VT for the Green MNT stage race, most racing seasons are over and so the only reason to go fast is of course… The Tuesday Night Throwdown!
Soon off route 10, Guido and Dillon P rode off the front and they had Chris C, Hunter P and Julio L chasing. Mike McG and Koski also moved up and it was blazin thru the crap section of Brooksvale Ave. Getting close to Mountain Road, The rider in the Landry’s kit was back up at front along with a couple other new faces. Chris C, Hunter P, and Julio L led the initial charge up onto Mountain Road with Chris C and Hunter getting a gap that was closed down within a half mile by Mike McG, French Casey, Koski, etc. The rest of the ride down Mountain road was decently quick. Chris B shat pure power near the end leading out the final half mile, probably in pursuit of the elusive green-light-means-go.
Moss farms was a gravel driveway in the name of road improvement, so the speed turned to “aggressive neutral” though that section. French Casey unfortunately got hit with a flat. Once the road got good, it was Hacker and Empire Matt moving to and then off the front a little, Ciocci, Todd H, and Hunter P were hovering close behind, careful to not let that get ugly fast. Hacker charged up the hill to Marion, as things got kinda strung out behind him. This led to Hunter P, Guido and Gregg F getting a gap and going to work with it. It was short lived as they got caught right after the industrial short loop turn off. More than the usual amount turned off for the short loop., including some bruisers who usually are straight. Talk of this being the final week of the long loop filed thru the peleton.
Before getting to route 322, Joe K had a chance to jump of the front and he was joined by Hacker and a couple of others but all had to stop for the light. Onto Mount Vernon Rd were Matt S from CCR was up front along with Hunter P and Stage one guys. The ride down Vernon was ok, there was some sloppy rotating going on and a brief attack off the front by Hunter P before the steady uphill section. That led to Joe K getting in a counter attack effort and he was able to hold that for a while. It came down to Chris C and Todd H to close the gap down as everyone seemed to be getting ready for the turnaround back south. Just as the front was coming back all together, Hacker jumped up sensing an opportunity. His chain jammed up tho, bringing some type of salvation to those that would have to chase him down. The front of the ride slowed a bit in a lame attempt at waiting from him. Gregg F, Jacinto, Hunter P and a couple of others led everyone onto Welch Rd. Gregg F kept the speed good going up to the base of the climb just as Chris B and Ken just Ken charged up and off the front, then it was Mike McG, a couple of others (???) and then Hacker, and Hunter P heading into the corner fast. Hacker had to jump to catch Mike and he had hunter right on his wheel. Soon it was just Mike, Hacker and Hunter heading to the sprint point. Hunter was able to come out of the draft and jump around for the sprint, going past Mike.
There were some guys (Steve Gray, Little T, Matt S etc) willing to drill it in between lights heading back to Cheshire, so it stayed interesting. Empire Matt actually sorta attacked on the descent of the last part of West St, taking a rider from Central Wheel with him. The two had a gap and traffic at the light on Marion let them open it up a little more. Once thru the traffic, it was Guido, Hunter P, Texas Rodhouse, Jacinto and one more new guy, working together to try to bring the gap down. That effort got disrupted on the little hill by the underpass on Canal St which let Gregg F get involved. Up the road, the leaders made it thru the light on 322 while everyone else of course had to stop.
The rest of the way to route 10 was normal. Little T and Hunter P led everyone up Peck Lane as Ken just Ken was hit with a dropped chain. Empire Matt and the Central Wheel rider decided to hold up and wait… A sporting move on their part. There was more traffic as everyone was turning onto Route 10, and then another red light before the Sprint… Once it got going, Mike McG was flying at the front, with Hacker, Little T, Chris C and a couple of others behind, ready to go. This one was all Little T, keeping Hacker at bay despite a red light at the top of the hill.
More red lights thru Cheshire…. Red lights on top of red lights, showing that the long loop and school days don’t mix well together. Then, it seems Time Trial Pete, testing the "new" 80 year old fabric Skinsuit, designed to mimic the taunt skin of an 80 year old, escaped thru a light in the center of Cheshire. He got through the light with Eric M and one other rider... With the peleton stopping for the light, that was all the gap they needed to stay away, fair & very square style. Behind, things ramped up again with Rondo, and Mike McG at the front, putting everyone behind in work mode. Heading into the final Kilo, it was a free for all, as Mike McG turned in a good effort and cleared out with plenty of road to go. Then it was Hacker, driving the front and pulling the rip cord. Then it was Peter P’s turn. This all led to more than the usual guys with a chance at it. Even so, Little T was able to come around Julio L in time to wrap things up. But give this one to the eternally suffering TT Pete... Good job boys.
Soon off route 10, Guido and Dillon P rode off the front and they had Chris C, Hunter P and Julio L chasing. Mike McG and Koski also moved up and it was blazin thru the crap section of Brooksvale Ave. Getting close to Mountain Road, The rider in the Landry’s kit was back up at front along with a couple other new faces. Chris C, Hunter P, and Julio L led the initial charge up onto Mountain Road with Chris C and Hunter getting a gap that was closed down within a half mile by Mike McG, French Casey, Koski, etc. The rest of the ride down Mountain road was decently quick. Chris B shat pure power near the end leading out the final half mile, probably in pursuit of the elusive green-light-means-go.
Moss farms was a gravel driveway in the name of road improvement, so the speed turned to “aggressive neutral” though that section. French Casey unfortunately got hit with a flat. Once the road got good, it was Hacker and Empire Matt moving to and then off the front a little, Ciocci, Todd H, and Hunter P were hovering close behind, careful to not let that get ugly fast. Hacker charged up the hill to Marion, as things got kinda strung out behind him. This led to Hunter P, Guido and Gregg F getting a gap and going to work with it. It was short lived as they got caught right after the industrial short loop turn off. More than the usual amount turned off for the short loop., including some bruisers who usually are straight. Talk of this being the final week of the long loop filed thru the peleton.
Before getting to route 322, Joe K had a chance to jump of the front and he was joined by Hacker and a couple of others but all had to stop for the light. Onto Mount Vernon Rd were Matt S from CCR was up front along with Hunter P and Stage one guys. The ride down Vernon was ok, there was some sloppy rotating going on and a brief attack off the front by Hunter P before the steady uphill section. That led to Joe K getting in a counter attack effort and he was able to hold that for a while. It came down to Chris C and Todd H to close the gap down as everyone seemed to be getting ready for the turnaround back south. Just as the front was coming back all together, Hacker jumped up sensing an opportunity. His chain jammed up tho, bringing some type of salvation to those that would have to chase him down. The front of the ride slowed a bit in a lame attempt at waiting from him. Gregg F, Jacinto, Hunter P and a couple of others led everyone onto Welch Rd. Gregg F kept the speed good going up to the base of the climb just as Chris B and Ken just Ken charged up and off the front, then it was Mike McG, a couple of others (???) and then Hacker, and Hunter P heading into the corner fast. Hacker had to jump to catch Mike and he had hunter right on his wheel. Soon it was just Mike, Hacker and Hunter heading to the sprint point. Hunter was able to come out of the draft and jump around for the sprint, going past Mike.
There were some guys (Steve Gray, Little T, Matt S etc) willing to drill it in between lights heading back to Cheshire, so it stayed interesting. Empire Matt actually sorta attacked on the descent of the last part of West St, taking a rider from Central Wheel with him. The two had a gap and traffic at the light on Marion let them open it up a little more. Once thru the traffic, it was Guido, Hunter P, Texas Rodhouse, Jacinto and one more new guy, working together to try to bring the gap down. That effort got disrupted on the little hill by the underpass on Canal St which let Gregg F get involved. Up the road, the leaders made it thru the light on 322 while everyone else of course had to stop.
The rest of the way to route 10 was normal. Little T and Hunter P led everyone up Peck Lane as Ken just Ken was hit with a dropped chain. Empire Matt and the Central Wheel rider decided to hold up and wait… A sporting move on their part. There was more traffic as everyone was turning onto Route 10, and then another red light before the Sprint… Once it got going, Mike McG was flying at the front, with Hacker, Little T, Chris C and a couple of others behind, ready to go. This one was all Little T, keeping Hacker at bay despite a red light at the top of the hill.
More red lights thru Cheshire…. Red lights on top of red lights, showing that the long loop and school days don’t mix well together. Then, it seems Time Trial Pete, testing the "new" 80 year old fabric Skinsuit, designed to mimic the taunt skin of an 80 year old, escaped thru a light in the center of Cheshire. He got through the light with Eric M and one other rider... With the peleton stopping for the light, that was all the gap they needed to stay away, fair & very square style. Behind, things ramped up again with Rondo, and Mike McG at the front, putting everyone behind in work mode. Heading into the final Kilo, it was a free for all, as Mike McG turned in a good effort and cleared out with plenty of road to go. Then it was Hacker, driving the front and pulling the rip cord. Then it was Peter P’s turn. This all led to more than the usual guys with a chance at it. Even so, Little T was able to come around Julio L in time to wrap things up. But give this one to the eternally suffering TT Pete... Good job boys.
Tuesday the 25th
The Sleeping Giant Ride continues to hold morale and self esteem hostage...
Probably close to 65 out tonight. Everyone was nice and friendly heading out to Cheshire, although Julio L was pushing the pace as the turn off route 10 came up.
It didn’t take long before Josh G was up front again, pushing the pace and looking to make it hurt for everyone else. He had help up there with Otto, Dillon P, Eric M and the Yalies. The pace was fast for the whole way to Mountain Road. That turned into a solid all out pace line going down Mountain Road with lots of guys taking turns at the front.
Coming up to the end of Mountain, as the speed was winding down, there were a couple of guys riding attentively at the front. The light was turning and a small group made it thru fair and square. Josh G, Tall John, Steve Grey, Chris C, and Hacker all made it thru and showed no signs of waiting. Also getting thru the intersection in less than law abiding manner was Julio L, Hunter P, Silent Steve, and Otto von Wedlesfast. The rest of the peloton stopped by the red light. The group of 5 took off and used all the time given them by the light. The group of 4 behind hesitated and played he “do we chase, do we wait” game. The lead group was off their rocker tho and gone up the road. The group behind, once onto Moss Farms, was a mission tho and quickly making up ground led by Special Ed Angeli, Mad Mike McG, Rondo, Eric M, and others. Going over 322 into Southington, it was the group of 5, splitting the work load pretty evenly and then the Peleton behind.
Joe K got things off to a good start on Mount Vernon Road. The Yalies were going good too…. ( with nice new bikes for the school year? ). Special Ed was up there. Koski, Ken just Ken, and Matt S from CCR, CT Coast Ben, Chris Mohoney, Otto etc…. As the front of the ride was coming up to Welch Rd, the lead group was in sight with a gap of about 20 seconds or so. Just goes to show, even with a lot of horse power up the road, with a red light gap, the Sleeping Giant ride will relentlessly bring it back. As the lead group hit the base of the climb up to West St, they turned off the gas, knowing their fate. Hacker however, bored with 7 foot skinnies, drunken dancers, and wiley lawyers, used the chance to jump off in search of solo gold. Behind, Mike McG was destroying pavement, leading everyone up thru the corner, and pushing hard past. There were guys that were there for moral support, Joe K, Crazy Chris, Hunter P, Otto etc.. Chris B was also up there as he and Ken just Ken had tried to pull off the front on the climb but couldn’t come around Mike McG for long. Hacker gets the credit for the new and improved sprint point as he stayed off till the 84 crossing on West St. Mike McG, fittingly, lead the rest of the ride up through the sprint.
The rest of the ride was good. The pace was good. Effort was good. Josh was up there a couple of times, putting twofold efforts in, getting the pace up. The Yalies were up there too, Otto, Tall John, Thomaas B, Mahoney. Etc… Coming up to the Stop n Shop sprint, everyone was going fast. Even so, Mike McG took it by a solid gap.
We’re gonna need someone to fill in what happened for the rest for the way back into Hamden.
Good ride. Relentless…. The way it should be….
One more week of the long loop???
Probably close to 65 out tonight. Everyone was nice and friendly heading out to Cheshire, although Julio L was pushing the pace as the turn off route 10 came up.
It didn’t take long before Josh G was up front again, pushing the pace and looking to make it hurt for everyone else. He had help up there with Otto, Dillon P, Eric M and the Yalies. The pace was fast for the whole way to Mountain Road. That turned into a solid all out pace line going down Mountain Road with lots of guys taking turns at the front.
Coming up to the end of Mountain, as the speed was winding down, there were a couple of guys riding attentively at the front. The light was turning and a small group made it thru fair and square. Josh G, Tall John, Steve Grey, Chris C, and Hacker all made it thru and showed no signs of waiting. Also getting thru the intersection in less than law abiding manner was Julio L, Hunter P, Silent Steve, and Otto von Wedlesfast. The rest of the peloton stopped by the red light. The group of 5 took off and used all the time given them by the light. The group of 4 behind hesitated and played he “do we chase, do we wait” game. The lead group was off their rocker tho and gone up the road. The group behind, once onto Moss Farms, was a mission tho and quickly making up ground led by Special Ed Angeli, Mad Mike McG, Rondo, Eric M, and others. Going over 322 into Southington, it was the group of 5, splitting the work load pretty evenly and then the Peleton behind.
Joe K got things off to a good start on Mount Vernon Road. The Yalies were going good too…. ( with nice new bikes for the school year? ). Special Ed was up there. Koski, Ken just Ken, and Matt S from CCR, CT Coast Ben, Chris Mohoney, Otto etc…. As the front of the ride was coming up to Welch Rd, the lead group was in sight with a gap of about 20 seconds or so. Just goes to show, even with a lot of horse power up the road, with a red light gap, the Sleeping Giant ride will relentlessly bring it back. As the lead group hit the base of the climb up to West St, they turned off the gas, knowing their fate. Hacker however, bored with 7 foot skinnies, drunken dancers, and wiley lawyers, used the chance to jump off in search of solo gold. Behind, Mike McG was destroying pavement, leading everyone up thru the corner, and pushing hard past. There were guys that were there for moral support, Joe K, Crazy Chris, Hunter P, Otto etc.. Chris B was also up there as he and Ken just Ken had tried to pull off the front on the climb but couldn’t come around Mike McG for long. Hacker gets the credit for the new and improved sprint point as he stayed off till the 84 crossing on West St. Mike McG, fittingly, lead the rest of the ride up through the sprint.
The rest of the ride was good. The pace was good. Effort was good. Josh was up there a couple of times, putting twofold efforts in, getting the pace up. The Yalies were up there too, Otto, Tall John, Thomaas B, Mahoney. Etc… Coming up to the Stop n Shop sprint, everyone was going fast. Even so, Mike McG took it by a solid gap.
We’re gonna need someone to fill in what happened for the rest for the way back into Hamden.
Good ride. Relentless…. The way it should be….
One more week of the long loop???
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