The SGR... Safer and more organized than the CT Stage Race!
Despite the ride missing our beloved German for another week while he recovers, today was a good night for the SGR. Its amazing how despite this ride being the same guys, same roads, week in week out, the ride continues to be never quite the same twice. Today it was a group of 3 ( Chris C, Eric M, and VQ Rob, ) who were either looking for a good workout or wanting to stay clear of Chris Mahoney on aero bars(?!). They punched it off the front early on and powering their way thru to the end, despite some pretty raw chasing.
The group went up the road once Chris C hit the throttle on Mount Sanford Road. The gap was small for a couple of miles, as some traffic thru the corners kept everyone close. Once onto South Brooksvale, with the 3 big teams represented in the break ( CCR, Zane’s and Stage1 ) the impetus in the peleton went away and the gap went up. Some more traffic for the main bunch getting onto North Brooksvale gave them a little more breathing room. That was really all they needed as Eric M turned on his newly installed Spartacus7000 and spearheaded the pulls in the break. The chase behind didn’t really start in earnest till the second half of Mountain road, when Chris B took off in one his many solo chase efforts on the night. His effort was followed up with a strong pull from Gregg F. It was also good to see Gordan “I am not Corey Feldman” Daniell out and also hammering the front to try to get some response from the rest. The Peleton had to stop at the light at 68 while the escape made it thru the light without much stoppage. By the time the rest of the field got onto Moss Farms the leading three where well out of sight. Chris B again attacked thru the chicane. The pace was pretty good for the rest of the way to Route 322. Credit Rondo, Ciocci, and Gregg F with hustling to get the peloton thru the light crossing 322. The breakaway was outta sight for a while. In perhaps what was the strongest display of the night, Joe “raging bull” Kubisek reminding all who they were dealing with and mashed his way off the front of a hard chasing pack for what seemed like an eternity. The false flat section finally brought him back… Kinda… As Hunter P used the incline to get out and bridge the gap. But those two would be caught within a mile. Hunter P was back pulling along with Joe Policarpio from CCR and Chris B late on Mount Vernon and then onto Welch Road. The CCR boys had help from Ciocci, and a new guy atop a Look. Mike McG was up there too but he was laying low, probably playing John Madden with the Peleton, patrolling and keeping things real up at the front so that his teammate Eric M would have the best shot at staying away. The breakaway was in sight ( half mile up the road! ) as everyone came up to the sprint turnaround, but everyone in the main bunch would be fighting for first loser as they say. Despite strong jumps from Peter P, Ciocci, and Little T, the sprint was pretty much negated due to a red light and stacked traffic on West St.
The 4 up front would have no problem on the backside and subsequent traffic lights. With Eric M taking strong pulls, continuing his claim to “Best Rouleur”, they continued to up their advantage until Chris C and Joe K again hit the front hard going past the exit ramp for I84. The gap was under 20 seconds at the light going back over 322, but the main bunch had to stop for what seemed like 3 minutes while the light decided to turn green. That was when the fat lady sung. There was no catching the break. Chris B would again try to single-handedly bring back the gap on Peck Ln, this time surging off the front with help from Julio L and Hutner P. Those 3 had a solid gap for a couple of miles, all the way up past the hill by Cheshire Park. Chris B would try a couple more times heading back into Hamden but for tonight, the hats go off to the 3 who lead wire to wire, no doubt pulling rivets out to stay out in front the whole time. Eric M was the one who takes top honors, getting the best of his breakaway companions for the final sprint points.
Great ride! Some good attacks, some strong countering and a lot a hard chasing.
Tuesday the 1st
The "unsung's" get their day in the Sun ( sort of )
Rain, thunder and hard efforts from some in Killington over the weekend kept today’s ride on the small side. Less than 30 guys were out. Twas good to see French Casey out as he led a brisk pace up route 10 and played crossing guard for bunch.
Once on the back roads, the orange and black kicked things off with some help from a Target training rider (?) and the rider on the Seven.
Little T was hit with a flat on Mount Sanford Road and after some soft pedaling at the front, the ride was given permission to carry on. Credit the whole Zany team for holding up and waiting for their muscle blessed teammate.
With the field down to approx 20 and most of the horse power changing tubes behind, there was some new faces that drove the ride. The speed was down a bit, but not much. Maybe 1 mph. At the front was Builder Pete, John Gregory, Rich Foley, and pretty much the whole CCR team… John B, Peter Kenny, Dillon P, Antonio D. Mahoney was up there animating things along with French Casey.
Once onto Mountain Rd, the speed came down a bit but Kyle F and Mahoney was there to bring it back up again. A gap developed as French Casey attacked toward the end of Mountain Rd, but Dillon P and Pter K chased it down. As everyone was recollecting, Dillon P surged off the front for a bit and without anyone from the team dare bring the “CEO” back, he stayed out there for 3\4 of a mile and was caught as everyone pulled up to the light on Route 68.
Once onto Moss Farms, Pter K and Antonio D along with C-Dale Rick got things going but it was pretty mellow. Chris B started turning screws toward the end of Moss Farms with Hunter P and Dillon P following up his efforts. Tri Guy wi Knee Highs was also present and led everyone delicately into the chicane. Chris B stayed right at the front for the charge up the hill, keeping a solid tempo. Hunter P rode away from the front once around the corner and had a good gap that only Chris B could bridge. The 2 stayed off the front for the rest for the way down Marion up to the turn for the short loop. John Gregory and C dale Rick chipped in to bring them back.
The ride down Mount Vernon Rd was “new-look”, with lots of guys up front who usually hang out mid-pack. Speed didn’t seem to suffer too much though, especially when Kyle f rolled up and pulled for a solid mile and a half, stringing out everyone behind him. It took the false flat section to finally take him off the front, giving Hunter P a chance to jump on dwindling field. The target Training rider was the only one that stayed with Hunter P and the 2 had a gap for a while until Chris B dragged John Gregory, the Foley’s and the rest of the field up to them. After that, everyone stayed together until the turn around.
Chris B was again sneaking off the front right at the college, but Target Training was glued to his wheel along with Hunter P. The 3 probably would have ridden off if not for a solid effort by Mahoney to bridge \ drag the gap back. It was gruppo compact heading to the hill \ corner, where Chris B jumped up only to be passes right after the corner by Kyle F and Hunter P. From there Foley and Pronovost traded pulls a couple of times before Hunter jumped away to get the sprint without much trouble from anyone else. On the backside, everyone who was left after the hill collected themselves and met up with the Zane’s team who had taken a shortcut.
Everyone rolled onto the Cheshire side of Route 322 together. Even with the 5 Zane’s guys, the field was only about 12-15 guys at this point.
Coming back onto the short loop section of Peck Lane, a group of 4 pulled off the front. The Foley’s, Eric M, and Target Training (?). They went off without an answer from the Zane’s guys and had a solid 20 second gap by route 10, despite some chasing by Little T and Mahoney. The pace on route 10 didn’t improve much and everyone was content to let the 4 fight out the stop n shop sprint. Eric M got that despite a solid challenge from the Foley pair.
Rolling thru Cheshire, the stage was being set for a beat down of the escapees, who had a 250 meter gap thru all the lights. Going thru town things got Lady Gaga crazy as guys were timing lights, drafting cars and opening \ covering gaps left and right. The group of 4 had been joined by Mike McG, Rondo and Mahoney. Chris B pulled a huge effort outside of Cheshire on open roads and covered a fast moving, big gap. Dragging Hunter P, Little T and a couple of others with him. The rest behind were done for the day with no chance of catching back on. From there the speed stayed high into the finale. Little T surged early and pulled off with nearly a kilo to go. Chris B attacked \ surged a little closer to the end and only Mike McG stayed with him. Those two went down to the line with Mike able to get over Chris in time for the corner.
Rain, thunder and hard efforts from some in Killington over the weekend kept today’s ride on the small side. Less than 30 guys were out. Twas good to see French Casey out as he led a brisk pace up route 10 and played crossing guard for bunch.
Once on the back roads, the orange and black kicked things off with some help from a Target training rider (?) and the rider on the Seven.
Little T was hit with a flat on Mount Sanford Road and after some soft pedaling at the front, the ride was given permission to carry on. Credit the whole Zany team for holding up and waiting for their muscle blessed teammate.
With the field down to approx 20 and most of the horse power changing tubes behind, there was some new faces that drove the ride. The speed was down a bit, but not much. Maybe 1 mph. At the front was Builder Pete, John Gregory, Rich Foley, and pretty much the whole CCR team… John B, Peter Kenny, Dillon P, Antonio D. Mahoney was up there animating things along with French Casey.
Once onto Mountain Rd, the speed came down a bit but Kyle F and Mahoney was there to bring it back up again. A gap developed as French Casey attacked toward the end of Mountain Rd, but Dillon P and Pter K chased it down. As everyone was recollecting, Dillon P surged off the front for a bit and without anyone from the team dare bring the “CEO” back, he stayed out there for 3\4 of a mile and was caught as everyone pulled up to the light on Route 68.
Once onto Moss Farms, Pter K and Antonio D along with C-Dale Rick got things going but it was pretty mellow. Chris B started turning screws toward the end of Moss Farms with Hunter P and Dillon P following up his efforts. Tri Guy wi Knee Highs was also present and led everyone delicately into the chicane. Chris B stayed right at the front for the charge up the hill, keeping a solid tempo. Hunter P rode away from the front once around the corner and had a good gap that only Chris B could bridge. The 2 stayed off the front for the rest for the way down Marion up to the turn for the short loop. John Gregory and C dale Rick chipped in to bring them back.
The ride down Mount Vernon Rd was “new-look”, with lots of guys up front who usually hang out mid-pack. Speed didn’t seem to suffer too much though, especially when Kyle f rolled up and pulled for a solid mile and a half, stringing out everyone behind him. It took the false flat section to finally take him off the front, giving Hunter P a chance to jump on dwindling field. The target Training rider was the only one that stayed with Hunter P and the 2 had a gap for a while until Chris B dragged John Gregory, the Foley’s and the rest of the field up to them. After that, everyone stayed together until the turn around.
Chris B was again sneaking off the front right at the college, but Target Training was glued to his wheel along with Hunter P. The 3 probably would have ridden off if not for a solid effort by Mahoney to bridge \ drag the gap back. It was gruppo compact heading to the hill \ corner, where Chris B jumped up only to be passes right after the corner by Kyle F and Hunter P. From there Foley and Pronovost traded pulls a couple of times before Hunter jumped away to get the sprint without much trouble from anyone else. On the backside, everyone who was left after the hill collected themselves and met up with the Zane’s team who had taken a shortcut.
Everyone rolled onto the Cheshire side of Route 322 together. Even with the 5 Zane’s guys, the field was only about 12-15 guys at this point.
Coming back onto the short loop section of Peck Lane, a group of 4 pulled off the front. The Foley’s, Eric M, and Target Training (?). They went off without an answer from the Zane’s guys and had a solid 20 second gap by route 10, despite some chasing by Little T and Mahoney. The pace on route 10 didn’t improve much and everyone was content to let the 4 fight out the stop n shop sprint. Eric M got that despite a solid challenge from the Foley pair.
Rolling thru Cheshire, the stage was being set for a beat down of the escapees, who had a 250 meter gap thru all the lights. Going thru town things got Lady Gaga crazy as guys were timing lights, drafting cars and opening \ covering gaps left and right. The group of 4 had been joined by Mike McG, Rondo and Mahoney. Chris B pulled a huge effort outside of Cheshire on open roads and covered a fast moving, big gap. Dragging Hunter P, Little T and a couple of others with him. The rest behind were done for the day with no chance of catching back on. From there the speed stayed high into the finale. Little T surged early and pulled off with nearly a kilo to go. Chris B attacked \ surged a little closer to the end and only Mike McG stayed with him. Those two went down to the line with Mike able to get over Chris in time for the corner.
Tuesday the 25th
More miles, more endurance, more scenery… It’s the Long Loop
Not too much excitement today on the ride. It was on the slow side.
Maybe the heat?
Maybe everyone is lazy from watching the Giro all day long?
At any rate, there was a big crowd out today for the ride.
Dave H and a couple of new timers started the ride out - the initial pace was downright anemic. Eric M started things going and then Guido got involved along with Chris C, Ciocci, Jacinto, and a couple of others. The slow pace allowed that group of 7 or 8 to roll off the front on Mount Sanford but traffic turning onto the next street brought everyone back together. The pace got going a little more after that as Mike McG, Koski, a new Zane’s rider and others got involved. On South Brooksvale, Eric M, riding hard, snuck off on the run in to Mountain road. A few seconds later, Larry M and the new guy in a Divine Electric\BH Jersey hit it to bridge up. They were just making contact to Eric when the corner for Mountain Road slowed everyone and brought it all together. The pace on Mountain rd was nothing spectacular. The usual characters were up front. The CCB guys started making their way up.
Onto Moss Farms where again, there wasn’t too much pep in the pedals. But no one was attacking so it stayed gruppo compacto. The CCBer’s were again ramping things up before the Chicane. They had Guido along for company. Eric M charged into the chicane first and up the hill to Marion. There were no attacks as CCB stayed at the front. Ciocci rolled up after the corner and got things rolling along with Eric M, Mike McG, Hunter P, Silent Steve and Yalie Adam as well. Everyone rolled along to Route 322 without incident and with those same guys setting the tempo etc. A few guys peeled off on the short loop, but all in all, everyone was of one mind regarding the long loop. Larry M had an unfortunate flat and dropped out.
The ride down Mount Vernon road was uneventful and slow. Hopefully next week the attacks will come. The false flat section shook things up…. Same speeds \ More wattage. Jacinto, Guido, Ben just Ben, led it out with CCB and CCR guys Gregg F and Hunter P punching it on the top. It was enough to shell a few guys and pull things single file, but with no monster efforts after the incline, it was a missed opportunity to blow things apart.
Onto Welch Road, where Chris B snuck off the front as the Zane guys, Guido, Jacinto, Silent Steve. Morgan from Keltic, and a couple of others were shifting around the front. Chris was able to get to the corner of West St first but Little T had jumped and passed him shortly after that on the way to top o the hill prize ( !?….. See the survey on the side ). Behind Little T was Eric M, Hunter P and Keltic Morgan. A little ways up Gregg F joined the group and as is usually the case…. The hill had forced a separation. Chances for any group at this point are slim if traffic lights are red and sure enough, that’s what brought this all back together before crossing over I84. On the backside, heading to Atwater Street, a small group had hammered out a gap on the descent. Eric M, Rondo, Guido, Chris B, Ciocci, Jacinto, Devils Gear Jeff, and a couple of others. But there were enough wheels behind that saw the gap and responded, closing it down before the corner. A small group snuck thru the traffic on West Main, but most of those guys sat up or were caught by the light on route 322.
Yalie Adam took advantage of the slow speed after that traffic light to jump off the front. Soon after, Chris C jumped off too. Chris was caught soon after the ride got back onto familiar Peck Lane territory, but Yalie Adam was still out there. Heading up the riser before Schoolhouse road starts, Gregg F hit it again along with Hunter P. That was a short lived gap though as the CCB guys were starting up again. Yalie Adam was finally caught soon after turning onto Route 10. The headwind heading back would buffet the front of the ride as there was no activity to speak of off the front. Heading into the Stop and Shop sprint, the Zane’s guys were up front along with Guido playing nice. They were setting a good tempo for their man, Little T. Little T hit the sprint hard with Dzmitry (?) from CCB directly in tow. The 2 went down to the line but Alessio was able to stay in front. Little T would keep up the pace in thru the center of town and had a gap as the slimmer, more traffic-friendly Peleton got caught at a couple of lights. Once out of town, the speed picked up, but the headwind was cutting into things. Little T was slowly getting reeled in and it looked like he may have a chance with about a kilo to go. Behind, after efforts to close the gap from Guido, Ciocci, the Divine Electric guys and a couple of others, the Orange and black were all over things. Eric M sat up, giving Little T one last chance to stay away. Chris B almost snookered them all though, jetting past with enough speed to create a gap that the trio of Eric M, Mike McG and Rondo had to close down. Having already gone over Little T, Rondo got a push from Mike and was able to get by Butler, but with Hunter P in tow, playing back up to Chris’ attack. It went down to the wire, with the 2 exchanging the lead a couple of times. Despite getting out of the saddle early on for a quick second, Rondo will get credit for this one, edging out Hunter in the final meters.
Not too much excitement today on the ride. It was on the slow side.
Maybe the heat?
Maybe everyone is lazy from watching the Giro all day long?
At any rate, there was a big crowd out today for the ride.
Dave H and a couple of new timers started the ride out - the initial pace was downright anemic. Eric M started things going and then Guido got involved along with Chris C, Ciocci, Jacinto, and a couple of others. The slow pace allowed that group of 7 or 8 to roll off the front on Mount Sanford but traffic turning onto the next street brought everyone back together. The pace got going a little more after that as Mike McG, Koski, a new Zane’s rider and others got involved. On South Brooksvale, Eric M, riding hard, snuck off on the run in to Mountain road. A few seconds later, Larry M and the new guy in a Divine Electric\BH Jersey hit it to bridge up. They were just making contact to Eric when the corner for Mountain Road slowed everyone and brought it all together. The pace on Mountain rd was nothing spectacular. The usual characters were up front. The CCB guys started making their way up.
Onto Moss Farms where again, there wasn’t too much pep in the pedals. But no one was attacking so it stayed gruppo compacto. The CCBer’s were again ramping things up before the Chicane. They had Guido along for company. Eric M charged into the chicane first and up the hill to Marion. There were no attacks as CCB stayed at the front. Ciocci rolled up after the corner and got things rolling along with Eric M, Mike McG, Hunter P, Silent Steve and Yalie Adam as well. Everyone rolled along to Route 322 without incident and with those same guys setting the tempo etc. A few guys peeled off on the short loop, but all in all, everyone was of one mind regarding the long loop. Larry M had an unfortunate flat and dropped out.
The ride down Mount Vernon road was uneventful and slow. Hopefully next week the attacks will come. The false flat section shook things up…. Same speeds \ More wattage. Jacinto, Guido, Ben just Ben, led it out with CCB and CCR guys Gregg F and Hunter P punching it on the top. It was enough to shell a few guys and pull things single file, but with no monster efforts after the incline, it was a missed opportunity to blow things apart.
Onto Welch Road, where Chris B snuck off the front as the Zane guys, Guido, Jacinto, Silent Steve. Morgan from Keltic, and a couple of others were shifting around the front. Chris was able to get to the corner of West St first but Little T had jumped and passed him shortly after that on the way to top o the hill prize ( !?….. See the survey on the side ). Behind Little T was Eric M, Hunter P and Keltic Morgan. A little ways up Gregg F joined the group and as is usually the case…. The hill had forced a separation. Chances for any group at this point are slim if traffic lights are red and sure enough, that’s what brought this all back together before crossing over I84. On the backside, heading to Atwater Street, a small group had hammered out a gap on the descent. Eric M, Rondo, Guido, Chris B, Ciocci, Jacinto, Devils Gear Jeff, and a couple of others. But there were enough wheels behind that saw the gap and responded, closing it down before the corner. A small group snuck thru the traffic on West Main, but most of those guys sat up or were caught by the light on route 322.
Yalie Adam took advantage of the slow speed after that traffic light to jump off the front. Soon after, Chris C jumped off too. Chris was caught soon after the ride got back onto familiar Peck Lane territory, but Yalie Adam was still out there. Heading up the riser before Schoolhouse road starts, Gregg F hit it again along with Hunter P. That was a short lived gap though as the CCB guys were starting up again. Yalie Adam was finally caught soon after turning onto Route 10. The headwind heading back would buffet the front of the ride as there was no activity to speak of off the front. Heading into the Stop and Shop sprint, the Zane’s guys were up front along with Guido playing nice. They were setting a good tempo for their man, Little T. Little T hit the sprint hard with Dzmitry (?) from CCB directly in tow. The 2 went down to the line but Alessio was able to stay in front. Little T would keep up the pace in thru the center of town and had a gap as the slimmer, more traffic-friendly Peleton got caught at a couple of lights. Once out of town, the speed picked up, but the headwind was cutting into things. Little T was slowly getting reeled in and it looked like he may have a chance with about a kilo to go. Behind, after efforts to close the gap from Guido, Ciocci, the Divine Electric guys and a couple of others, the Orange and black were all over things. Eric M sat up, giving Little T one last chance to stay away. Chris B almost snookered them all though, jetting past with enough speed to create a gap that the trio of Eric M, Mike McG and Rondo had to close down. Having already gone over Little T, Rondo got a push from Mike and was able to get by Butler, but with Hunter P in tow, playing back up to Chris’ attack. It went down to the wire, with the 2 exchanging the lead a couple of times. Despite getting out of the saddle early on for a quick second, Rondo will get credit for this one, edging out Hunter in the final meters.
Tuesday the 18th
The rain hit hard today. Despite some big talk from some about riding in the rain, the only guys who were out were Chris B, Dillon P, Chris Mahoney, Hunter P, and Matt ( I’m back from my internship with the Dharma Initiative ) Sack. Guido was a minute too late to the parking lot and had to chase the ride down, eventually meeting up on West Johnson Ave.
Everyone rode hard and it was a good ride. Chris lead-pedal Butler was going hard on his 25 pound rain bike and Chris techno Mahoney was making sure his new PowerTap was registering watts in the many hundreds. Matt Sack will be a strong rider during the TWC for the summer months.
Everyone rode hard and it was a good ride. Chris lead-pedal Butler was going hard on his 25 pound rain bike and Chris techno Mahoney was making sure his new PowerTap was registering watts in the many hundreds. Matt Sack will be a strong rider during the TWC for the summer months.
Tuesday the 11th
Lights, Cameras, Action!
The ride continued to have unseasonably cold temps as approx 45-55 rolled out. Rondo, sporting the second camera in the Peleton, drove a unsettling pace right out of the lot and down route 10. He had help from Dave H and Chris C. Some on-coming traffic cut into the ride as the front was turning off of route 10. It stopped 2\3 of the group dead as as the 10 or so eager beavers lit it up. Eric M moved up as well and for about a mile, it looked as if the ride was fracturing into two. It took some hard pulls from guys like Chris Mahoney, Dillon P, Devils Gear ( Jeff W? ) and others to keep it together. Next to hit the front hard as the ride turned onto South Brooksvale was Jacob H. VQ Rob moved up to the front as well and it looked as if another gap would form… But with more solid pace making from the trick or treaters and Chris C, it was all together and fast heading onto North Brooksvale. It got crazy fast for a bit as Guido, who revealed that he keeps a cyanide pill taped to his top tube in case of enemy capture, and Joshy G spared no red blood cells in pinning the rivot. Lots of oncoming traffic at the corner of Mountain rd gave guys a chance to catch breath. Ciocci hit the hill on Mountain rd. hard.
The ride down Mountain was again nice and fast as many guys took pulls. Jeff W, Rondo, Stage one, Eric M, Hunter P, Guido, Ben G, VQ, and others all up in the mix. Coming up to Route 68, Hunter P took a flyer in anticipation of a potential green light but everyone rolled up and together under red. Once onto Moss Farms, Chris B and Pete K from Cheshire Cycle, Yalie Adam, and the Jeff W rider hit it hard enough to get a small gap going but Joshy G and the CCBer’s were having none of that. The pace stayed high and the group following Joshy G rolled out a subsequent gap that took hard pulls from Chris B and Jeff W to shut it down coming right up to the Chicane. Jacob H rolled thru there in a good position to hit the hill first and his efforts got another kinda sorta gap going. It became the real deal tho after 12 or so riders kept up the pressure after the corner. Chris C, Hunter P, Guido, Larry M, Joshy G, Eric M, Jacob H, Crazy Chris, a new guy in a CVC kit and others had a gap of about 30 yards max before it got pulled back by big efforts from Kyle F and an assist from Gregg F ( riding strong atop his new Scott Addict R3). Thru the industrial park, VQ Rob, Eric M, Guido, Larry M, etc, worked the front and the ride didn’t really slow down at all the whole time.
Heading up to Reinhard, with Little T missing, the sprint was as wide open as the two zero one zero Giro d’ Italia. Late on West Johnson ave, Jeff W, looking to play the role of Vino took a flyer but under the CCB \ CVC pace he was overhauled before the corner. Rondo was up there with Eric M and Hunter P in tow. Joshy G and one of the CCB dudes punched it on the first little riser and hit the dip with a gap. Rondo peeled off behind after sprint-leading out Eric M a quarter of the way up the hill. Eric hit it and just as the catch of the 2 up front was happening, Hutner P was able to get around all with Jacob H in tow. Hunter kept on the throttle enough to hold off a late surging Hacker to the corner. On the backside, Hacker kept on it and had a healthy gap that didn’t get erased till the turn onto Peck ln.
Some D-bag driver got things riled up when he tried to pass with incoming traffic right before Route. Ben G for a second looked like he was gonna go Batman on the dude but once onto Route 10 everyone calmed down for the crazy ride home. Joshy G was still up there pushing the tempo along with Eric M and a couple of others. Heading into Stop n Shop was a little slower than usual. Eric M again tried early to jump with Hunter P in tow but behind a CCBer, Mike McG and a couple of others had this one staked out pretty good. It went down to the line between CCB and Miles&miles Mike with the CCB just getting it at the post. After the sprint a couple of guys were thinking break but traffic and red lights kept it together. If there is one good argument for starting the long ride ASAP, it’s to thin out the peleton that rolls thru Cheshire. Next week anyone???
The rest of the ride was standard fare. Respectfully fast and well mannered despite the headwind. Jeff W had another flyer that got swallowed up. In the last half kilo, Guido was the first to peel off, Jacob then hit the front with too far to go and was passed by Hunter P and VQ Rob, coming up thru them all in the last moments was Yalie Adam, and it seemed like VQ shut off the gas at the last moment, giving Yalie Adam the final award for this week. Footage for the ride will no doubt be available soon on Entertainment Tonight.
The ride continued to have unseasonably cold temps as approx 45-55 rolled out. Rondo, sporting the second camera in the Peleton, drove a unsettling pace right out of the lot and down route 10. He had help from Dave H and Chris C. Some on-coming traffic cut into the ride as the front was turning off of route 10. It stopped 2\3 of the group dead as as the 10 or so eager beavers lit it up. Eric M moved up as well and for about a mile, it looked as if the ride was fracturing into two. It took some hard pulls from guys like Chris Mahoney, Dillon P, Devils Gear ( Jeff W? ) and others to keep it together. Next to hit the front hard as the ride turned onto South Brooksvale was Jacob H. VQ Rob moved up to the front as well and it looked as if another gap would form… But with more solid pace making from the trick or treaters and Chris C, it was all together and fast heading onto North Brooksvale. It got crazy fast for a bit as Guido, who revealed that he keeps a cyanide pill taped to his top tube in case of enemy capture, and Joshy G spared no red blood cells in pinning the rivot. Lots of oncoming traffic at the corner of Mountain rd gave guys a chance to catch breath. Ciocci hit the hill on Mountain rd. hard.
The ride down Mountain was again nice and fast as many guys took pulls. Jeff W, Rondo, Stage one, Eric M, Hunter P, Guido, Ben G, VQ, and others all up in the mix. Coming up to Route 68, Hunter P took a flyer in anticipation of a potential green light but everyone rolled up and together under red. Once onto Moss Farms, Chris B and Pete K from Cheshire Cycle, Yalie Adam, and the Jeff W rider hit it hard enough to get a small gap going but Joshy G and the CCBer’s were having none of that. The pace stayed high and the group following Joshy G rolled out a subsequent gap that took hard pulls from Chris B and Jeff W to shut it down coming right up to the Chicane. Jacob H rolled thru there in a good position to hit the hill first and his efforts got another kinda sorta gap going. It became the real deal tho after 12 or so riders kept up the pressure after the corner. Chris C, Hunter P, Guido, Larry M, Joshy G, Eric M, Jacob H, Crazy Chris, a new guy in a CVC kit and others had a gap of about 30 yards max before it got pulled back by big efforts from Kyle F and an assist from Gregg F ( riding strong atop his new Scott Addict R3). Thru the industrial park, VQ Rob, Eric M, Guido, Larry M, etc, worked the front and the ride didn’t really slow down at all the whole time.
Heading up to Reinhard, with Little T missing, the sprint was as wide open as the two zero one zero Giro d’ Italia. Late on West Johnson ave, Jeff W, looking to play the role of Vino took a flyer but under the CCB \ CVC pace he was overhauled before the corner. Rondo was up there with Eric M and Hunter P in tow. Joshy G and one of the CCB dudes punched it on the first little riser and hit the dip with a gap. Rondo peeled off behind after sprint-leading out Eric M a quarter of the way up the hill. Eric hit it and just as the catch of the 2 up front was happening, Hutner P was able to get around all with Jacob H in tow. Hunter kept on the throttle enough to hold off a late surging Hacker to the corner. On the backside, Hacker kept on it and had a healthy gap that didn’t get erased till the turn onto Peck ln.
Some D-bag driver got things riled up when he tried to pass with incoming traffic right before Route. Ben G for a second looked like he was gonna go Batman on the dude but once onto Route 10 everyone calmed down for the crazy ride home. Joshy G was still up there pushing the tempo along with Eric M and a couple of others. Heading into Stop n Shop was a little slower than usual. Eric M again tried early to jump with Hunter P in tow but behind a CCBer, Mike McG and a couple of others had this one staked out pretty good. It went down to the line between CCB and Miles&miles Mike with the CCB just getting it at the post. After the sprint a couple of guys were thinking break but traffic and red lights kept it together. If there is one good argument for starting the long ride ASAP, it’s to thin out the peleton that rolls thru Cheshire. Next week anyone???
The rest of the ride was standard fare. Respectfully fast and well mannered despite the headwind. Jeff W had another flyer that got swallowed up. In the last half kilo, Guido was the first to peel off, Jacob then hit the front with too far to go and was passed by Hunter P and VQ Rob, coming up thru them all in the last moments was Yalie Adam, and it seemed like VQ shut off the gas at the last moment, giving Yalie Adam the final award for this week. Footage for the ride will no doubt be available soon on Entertainment Tonight.
Tuesday May 4th
Rain threatening? Not if the ride stays ahead of it.....
High winds and possible T-storms didnt stop about 45 guys and girls from riding. The CCB-ers were out tonight and with a couple of fast guys ( and guys who keep getting faster ) it would show in the pace. As soon as the ride hit the backroads, the pace went up thanks to Eirc M, Tim Ratta Chris C, Guido and Hunter P. Soon after that Mike McG, Josh G, Peter P and Rondo hit the front and the ride was steam-rollin.
There were a couple potential gaps but no one was dropping the big one off the front so it stayed all together. Ciocci, Guido and Mike McG led everyone up the hill on Mountain Rd and the speed was high the entire way down. There were probably plenty of strong guys who would have been willing to contribute on the front but it was manic and fast enough so that just getting to the front was a workout. Basically the ride should be like that all the time.
Coming up to Route 68, the light was green and everyone got the go ahead. On Moss Farms the fun didnt stop as Joshy G and the CCB ers hit the front and again, the gaps started opening up and guys had to dig deep to close em. It was here that the ride started shedding guys like a 4 day old sun-burn. The CCBers actually started powering off the front by themselves as the ride came up to the Chicane but that was shut down by Hunter P and Joshy G. It eased up for just a bit as everyone hit the hill up to Marion. Hunter P jumped with Chris C in tow and the two had a small gap that would end up being the most anyone would get tonight. It was shut down halfway to the industrial park and with Eric M, Guido, JoshG and a couple of others, it was fast all the way up to West Johnson ave.
Heading up to the Reinhard sprint, Mike McG and rondo were setting up their man well with hard efforts that told everyone to stay in line or else. Chris B was trying his usual shenanigans up there but there was no getting off the front. A group of about 7 hit Reinhard in a good spot with everyone else keeping it respectable behind. Little T was able to pop out and hit the hill hard, fending off a solid challenge from Ratatataata, and was able to get to the corner first. On the backside, it came all back together as guys were happy to get a chance to shine their shoes and get out of the red zone. Once onto Peck Lane, Chris B tried again to ride off the front, but that was quick to be dispatched and everyone came up to route 10 en masse.
The tail winds helped everyone along for the ride back. Eric M was still up there, Julio L, Josh G, CCB, Larry M was up there too. Coming up to the Stop n Shop sprint, Ratta took a huge flyer from 800 meters out.
He looked like he had a chance at it, but the speed ramped up a little and again, the Zane'ys hit it hard and kept it all together. Chris B as well as up there. Little T jumped out and nabbed this one again, with Guido and JoshG putting up a fight a little way behind.
Joshy G kept on the throttle after the hill and rolled away pretty quick by getting thru a light in the center of town. Behind him, Guido, Hunter P and Little T were also thinking breakaway and started going hard with the rest of the ride waiting at a light. Josh blasted thru the light at the high school with plenty of late day traffic still on the roads in front of a cop. The cop did a NYPDBlue 180 and sped up to pull Josh over. He was already out of the car and talking it over with JoshyG while the 3 chasers decided whether or not to ride by ho-hum-we-dont-know-him style. The whole peleton kinda slowed up and re collected amidst talk and reflection of how fortunate we all are to have police professionals who care enough for cyclists to point out matters of unsafty. Hunter P however, had kept up the hard riding and was looking to cheat sneak his way to the end. The ride finally got rolling along with speed and the usual strong guys were driving it home. Yalie Adam, Larry M, Eric M, Julio L, Rondo etc... Hunter would get caught with 500 meters to go just as Mike McG was leading the ride out to a decent end. Little T gets it in the end? There were a lot of guys up there as the ride into Hamden was a little somber due to the snatching of one rider who left the safety of the Peleton.
High winds and possible T-storms didnt stop about 45 guys and girls from riding. The CCB-ers were out tonight and with a couple of fast guys ( and guys who keep getting faster ) it would show in the pace. As soon as the ride hit the backroads, the pace went up thanks to Eirc M, Tim Ratta Chris C, Guido and Hunter P. Soon after that Mike McG, Josh G, Peter P and Rondo hit the front and the ride was steam-rollin.
There were a couple potential gaps but no one was dropping the big one off the front so it stayed all together. Ciocci, Guido and Mike McG led everyone up the hill on Mountain Rd and the speed was high the entire way down. There were probably plenty of strong guys who would have been willing to contribute on the front but it was manic and fast enough so that just getting to the front was a workout. Basically the ride should be like that all the time.
Coming up to Route 68, the light was green and everyone got the go ahead. On Moss Farms the fun didnt stop as Joshy G and the CCB ers hit the front and again, the gaps started opening up and guys had to dig deep to close em. It was here that the ride started shedding guys like a 4 day old sun-burn. The CCBers actually started powering off the front by themselves as the ride came up to the Chicane but that was shut down by Hunter P and Joshy G. It eased up for just a bit as everyone hit the hill up to Marion. Hunter P jumped with Chris C in tow and the two had a small gap that would end up being the most anyone would get tonight. It was shut down halfway to the industrial park and with Eric M, Guido, JoshG and a couple of others, it was fast all the way up to West Johnson ave.
Heading up to the Reinhard sprint, Mike McG and rondo were setting up their man well with hard efforts that told everyone to stay in line or else. Chris B was trying his usual shenanigans up there but there was no getting off the front. A group of about 7 hit Reinhard in a good spot with everyone else keeping it respectable behind. Little T was able to pop out and hit the hill hard, fending off a solid challenge from Ratatataata, and was able to get to the corner first. On the backside, it came all back together as guys were happy to get a chance to shine their shoes and get out of the red zone. Once onto Peck Lane, Chris B tried again to ride off the front, but that was quick to be dispatched and everyone came up to route 10 en masse.
The tail winds helped everyone along for the ride back. Eric M was still up there, Julio L, Josh G, CCB, Larry M was up there too. Coming up to the Stop n Shop sprint, Ratta took a huge flyer from 800 meters out.
He looked like he had a chance at it, but the speed ramped up a little and again, the Zane'ys hit it hard and kept it all together. Chris B as well as up there. Little T jumped out and nabbed this one again, with Guido and JoshG putting up a fight a little way behind.
Joshy G kept on the throttle after the hill and rolled away pretty quick by getting thru a light in the center of town. Behind him, Guido, Hunter P and Little T were also thinking breakaway and started going hard with the rest of the ride waiting at a light. Josh blasted thru the light at the high school with plenty of late day traffic still on the roads in front of a cop. The cop did a NYPDBlue 180 and sped up to pull Josh over. He was already out of the car and talking it over with JoshyG while the 3 chasers decided whether or not to ride by ho-hum-we-dont-know-him style. The whole peleton kinda slowed up and re collected amidst talk and reflection of how fortunate we all are to have police professionals who care enough for cyclists to point out matters of unsafty. Hunter P however, had kept up the hard riding and was looking to cheat sneak his way to the end. The ride finally got rolling along with speed and the usual strong guys were driving it home. Yalie Adam, Larry M, Eric M, Julio L, Rondo etc... Hunter would get caught with 500 meters to go just as Mike McG was leading the ride out to a decent end. Little T gets it in the end? There were a lot of guys up there as the ride into Hamden was a little somber due to the snatching of one rider who left the safety of the Peleton.
Tuesday the 27th
Tuesday Night is the new Sunday Morning
Brrrrrrrrrrr. Cold today. But that didn’t stop nearly 50 riders from heading out. Compared to last weeks crew, this weeks was a little “calmer” and it showed in the opening parts of the ride. Rondo and Stage 1ers Chris C and Dave H led the ride into Cheshire and Eric M ( looking forwards this week ) was quick to get to the front in a spot that he is quickly becoming accustomed to. Also pushing the pace early on was Silent Steve, Mike McG, Chris Mahoney, Dillon P, Gregg F ( riding with the CCR puke green Fi zik Test saddle ) and Cheshire Cycle Racing’s newest rider Larry Merling ( aka : the Bianci Man ). Larry M would be up at the front all night long for the most part. Heading down Mountain Rd, lots of guys had a turn at the front. Good to see Steve Grey ( or is it Gray ? Or can it be spelled either way? ) up at the front as well. The elders of the ride even got along with ( kinda ) a couple of newbies trying to cut their teeth in the paceline. Some fancy braking was needed at one point as a certain experienced rider was playing stop-dead-in-his-tracks
The ride got thru the light on Route 68 and that led to a small split develop with Chris B, Eric M, The Devils Gear Rider, and a couple of others getting off the front for a bit on Moss Farms. Crazy Chris, John Gregory, and Mike McG rode hard to keep it altogether heading into the chicane. Tim Rattatatataa and Guido along with Jacinto ( a powerful trio that was sticking together tonight ) lead everyone thru the Chicane and up the hill. Chris C had a dig going up which got things going for the length of Marion and into the industrial park. Larry M also up there mixing it up. Rondo and crew along with Stage 1 pushed thru the industrial park. There was significantly less activity off the front than weeks past. Heading into the sprint on Rienhard, Rondo hit the headwind hard before the corner with Eric M & Ratta in tow along with a couple of others. Immediately behind was a fractured group of about 8 riders looking to square up for the sprint. The lead group had a decent 30-40 yards when Rondo peeled off the front at the base of the hill. Larry M was among them and jumped up to try to get to the top first. Behind, Little T had a leisurely start to the sprint, getting up to full speed well past half hill. He had enough road to overhaul Larry M a stone’s throw from the corner.
Larry, however kept up the assault on the backside and was joined by Chris B for a bit but by Peck lane, it was all together for the most part. Heading up to Route 10, Steve Grey took a flyer and turned the corner with a 6 second gap. Behind him the Devils Gear rider was trying to bridge up. The tail wind up the hill by Cheshire Park meant everyone was flying. The Devil’s gear rider fell back and was replaced by a Ciocci who was chasing hard and made it up to Steve G. That pair had a small gap when a traffic light past the prison rounded everyone up. The light def helped a handful of guys recollect after the punishing uphill section. Slipping thru the light however was Eric M, Chris B and one other (?). They would quickly roll off and get forgotten by the angry peloton.
Heading into the Stop n Shop Sprint, Guido was working well with Ratta and started to go to work on a gap that formed nearly a kilo from the sprint. They worked well and Ratta was the one that was able to stay clear from the chasers in the P’ton. Alessio was there but was pretty much taking a back seat to this one as it was decided early on thanks to the big, but getting slimmer by the week, German.
Guido again this week was trying to push a separation in thru Cheshire. His posse was up there with him, but traffic lights and efforts from Larry M, Peter P, Rondo etc would keep it all together. Heading into the finale, after Mike McG and Rondo leadout and peeled off, there was a big group strung out but in striking distance. Steve Grey went toe to toe with Little T started the final push with Steve Grey going toe to toe with him. The two finished practically dead even. Technically, though the prize ( along with the Stop n Shop sprint ) goes to the escapees Chris B and Eric M.
Brrrrrrrrrrr. Cold today. But that didn’t stop nearly 50 riders from heading out. Compared to last weeks crew, this weeks was a little “calmer” and it showed in the opening parts of the ride. Rondo and Stage 1ers Chris C and Dave H led the ride into Cheshire and Eric M ( looking forwards this week ) was quick to get to the front in a spot that he is quickly becoming accustomed to. Also pushing the pace early on was Silent Steve, Mike McG, Chris Mahoney, Dillon P, Gregg F ( riding with the CCR puke green Fi zik Test saddle ) and Cheshire Cycle Racing’s newest rider Larry Merling ( aka : the Bianci Man ). Larry M would be up at the front all night long for the most part. Heading down Mountain Rd, lots of guys had a turn at the front. Good to see Steve Grey ( or is it Gray ? Or can it be spelled either way? ) up at the front as well. The elders of the ride even got along with ( kinda ) a couple of newbies trying to cut their teeth in the paceline. Some fancy braking was needed at one point as a certain experienced rider was playing stop-dead-in-his-tracks
The ride got thru the light on Route 68 and that led to a small split develop with Chris B, Eric M, The Devils Gear Rider, and a couple of others getting off the front for a bit on Moss Farms. Crazy Chris, John Gregory, and Mike McG rode hard to keep it altogether heading into the chicane. Tim Rattatatataa and Guido along with Jacinto ( a powerful trio that was sticking together tonight ) lead everyone thru the Chicane and up the hill. Chris C had a dig going up which got things going for the length of Marion and into the industrial park. Larry M also up there mixing it up. Rondo and crew along with Stage 1 pushed thru the industrial park. There was significantly less activity off the front than weeks past. Heading into the sprint on Rienhard, Rondo hit the headwind hard before the corner with Eric M & Ratta in tow along with a couple of others. Immediately behind was a fractured group of about 8 riders looking to square up for the sprint. The lead group had a decent 30-40 yards when Rondo peeled off the front at the base of the hill. Larry M was among them and jumped up to try to get to the top first. Behind, Little T had a leisurely start to the sprint, getting up to full speed well past half hill. He had enough road to overhaul Larry M a stone’s throw from the corner.
Larry, however kept up the assault on the backside and was joined by Chris B for a bit but by Peck lane, it was all together for the most part. Heading up to Route 10, Steve Grey took a flyer and turned the corner with a 6 second gap. Behind him the Devils Gear rider was trying to bridge up. The tail wind up the hill by Cheshire Park meant everyone was flying. The Devil’s gear rider fell back and was replaced by a Ciocci who was chasing hard and made it up to Steve G. That pair had a small gap when a traffic light past the prison rounded everyone up. The light def helped a handful of guys recollect after the punishing uphill section. Slipping thru the light however was Eric M, Chris B and one other (?). They would quickly roll off and get forgotten by the angry peloton.
Heading into the Stop n Shop Sprint, Guido was working well with Ratta and started to go to work on a gap that formed nearly a kilo from the sprint. They worked well and Ratta was the one that was able to stay clear from the chasers in the P’ton. Alessio was there but was pretty much taking a back seat to this one as it was decided early on thanks to the big, but getting slimmer by the week, German.
Guido again this week was trying to push a separation in thru Cheshire. His posse was up there with him, but traffic lights and efforts from Larry M, Peter P, Rondo etc would keep it all together. Heading into the finale, after Mike McG and Rondo leadout and peeled off, there was a big group strung out but in striking distance. Steve Grey went toe to toe with Little T started the final push with Steve Grey going toe to toe with him. The two finished practically dead even. Technically, though the prize ( along with the Stop n Shop sprint ) goes to the escapees Chris B and Eric M.
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