April has come and gone and let's hope the temperatures start to warm up. This month there was a ride in memory of Kim Briggs and Jon Cook, who left the pace-line way too early. They are dearly missed. Sexy Legs, Mike Trabert, made his way back to the states after being involved in a helicopter crash in Russia. Grateful for his safe return and wish him a speedy recovery. Celebrations/rides were held for the birth of Prez. Hale and Mr. MBA, who both now are officially old enough to buy senior citizen tickets to the movies.
Saturday's ride of Hale's Hills To HELL was cut a little short because the birthday boys were getting cold and wanted to go home. REALLY, WHAT'S THE DEAL? When you get to a certain age the blood doesn't circulate as well. BIG MAN was feeling his youth and hooked-up with Mr. T. for a second ride up Emigration, but as you will see, he too had to stop for an old man problem.
Many will be involved with commencements this coming week and let's all remember the words from C.S. Lewis, "there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind." It's called a commencement because it signifies the beginning. Let the 2017 riding season begin and bring with it many miles, many memories, many vistas and many NEW friends.
YIPPY SKIPPY
A Ride/Tribute to Kim & Jon
Man, these guys are SLOW!
April Showers Make It A Little Chilly
The Birthday Boys!
Sometimes you have to get off the bike to see the beauty!
YES, the season has officially started with the 14th annual Bandit/Deadhead Marathon ride, which takes off a little early and typically is a little chilly. Prez. Hale and Mr. MBA were the only non-bandit riders and Mr. MBA missed the ride all together, not reading the date when he registered. A little trip to China was not worth canceling. (Go Figure) A fairly new PCR wanted to join the team, but as you will read/see he missed his T-Time. BIG MAN was feeling pretty good as he got to do a little singing before the ride even started and was hoping to post a PR. little Indian got lost a couple of times, but the OLDER tribe members waited to make sure he made it to the finish line.
BIG MAN started his sprint to the finish line at mile 26, with 0.2 left thinking he might have a chance. However, Prez. Hale had a different thought. As the two of them continued to increase their speed, reaching the narrowing finishing line with barricades on both sides, Prez. Hale thought a little right shoulder nudge make help. BIG MAN's quick balancing act of avoiding going down proved to be too much for the now 60 YEARS OLD!
As always, one of the BEST part's of the ride was the chatter and Prez. Hale introducing the group to a Kouign-amann (pronounced <kwin'aman>) a Breton cake. It is a round crusty cake, originally made with bread dough, containing layers of butter and sugar folded in....... TO DIE FOR! YIPPY SKIPPY
"Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal and new life"
- Janine di Giovanni
This week's ride on Easter weekend was full of hope, great vistas, lively chatter and a renewal to get into better shape. A plan was set in place to depart a little later this Saturday in HOPE of luring a few PCRs we haven't seen for a while, but that didn't work and leaving later, ALSO didn't work. BIG MAN sent the email out on Wednesday for all to read and put in their calendars and by late Friday night, the "pirate" of the group had changed the plan. One of the riders even went as far as saying, "I'm going to leave earlier, because I know I can't stay up with the group" (Second violation of PCR by-laws)
So what are you HOPING for this season? Here are a few to consider:
To NOT bonk
To keep the 2 lives left of 9, unused
To be KOM for one ride
To ride with little man & Dr. J.
To ride with Mr. T and not just have him show up on the downhill
To ride in warmer weather
To NOT have a flat tire all year
To have someone stick around when you do have a flat tire
To avoid leg cramps because you're not drinking
To avoid weekly visits to the bike repair shop, knowing everyone now greets you by first name
To see more cows
To not tell certain people when you ride across state lines
To tell more stories and actually have riders listen and not just pretend they are listening
To see Sexy Legs again
To ride with Dr. O
To ride and play golf in the same day with SMOOTH and EASY
To sing more while riding
To ride more with your wife
To ride your first century
To ride 206 miles, 3 states, in 1 day!
What ever your dreams and hopes are may you continue to stay healthy, happy and safe. Riding is not about how fast, how far, how steep. However, it is about the memories, friendships, food, vistas, conversations and anticipation for being in the outdoors and LIVING!
The TATS this week was given by Mr. T, who had the PCRs raise their water bottles and toast, Mark A McLaughlin, who passed away this week, at a young age of 42. Our LOVE and SYMPATHY goes out to the Romney family.
On this Easter weekend let us all pause and give thanks and have more hope!
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.... For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive"
Yesterday's ride with the PCRs was met with great anticipation as BIG MAN spent a lot of his energy, early, to make sure the team made it to the train station on time to ride the 7:11AM to Orem, UT. (In a previous year, they did miss the train due to a flat) Once in the train, Prez. Hale lead the group to the car designed for bikers. (It's much earlier riding your bike to the bike-car "outside" the train) BIG MAN did it.... and now the question was can the team do the route planned without any problems/delays... NOT!
The FIRST little error was the excitement BIG MAN had as he lead the team off the train one stop early and realized, this is American Fork, not OREM....... GET BACK ON THE TRAIN! The SECOND, delay was when Pastor Dunn said he needed to check the landscape for Lions and Zeb Ras and took a little detour to a vacant construction site. (Growing old is not for wimps and bladders) As the PCRs started their ride towards Provo canyon, the sun shone bright and YES, BIG MAN couldn't resist in leading the group in a couple rousing verses of, "OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING" The snow capped mountains, as you will see, were breathtaking.
The team rode up the Provo Canyon trail to Vivian Park and took a right turn and went to the top of South Fork Canyon where they were all inspired by the TATS from Prez. Hale, who by the way was riding on a couple of hours of sleep coming back from Italy. (Now, that's a whole different story for another ride) Prez. Hale shared a moment at a recent retirement ceremony for one of his partners, who was "adamant" about, not only telling the truth, but LIVING THE TRUTH and by memory, as he always does, quoted the following from Lt. Colonel Frank Slade:
"There was a time I could see. And I have seen. Boys like these, younger than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there isn't nothin' like the sight of an amputated spirit. There is no prosthetic for that. You think you're merely sending this splendid foot soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs, but I say you are.... executin' his soul."
Now, if that doesn't get you pumped to make a quick descent, I don't know what does. Three of team got to the bottom on South Fork Canyon and turned around to see where Prez Hale and Pastor Dunn were and waiting, and waiting, and waiting... Number, THREE delay, Hale flats on the descent, As the PCRs exited the canyon and refueled at the gas station with water and "nut rolls", Pastor Dunn was starting to feel his oats and when introduced to the Murdock Canal Trail for his first time, he picked up the pace to see what these boys were made of. A 25 mph pace started to wear on the BIG MAN and so he dropped back to hear the highs of Prez. Hale's trip to Italy.
The team made its way to Alpine, and again the snow capped mountains caused BIG MAN to break out in song, "THE HILLS ARE ALIVE". When they arrived at the base of SunCrest, Pastor Dunn, graciously said that if he gets to the top before the rest of us, (that's a given) he might continue on. BIG MAN's ride was going a little longer than originally advertised. The climb took it toll on BIG MAN and after stopping a couple times to get his bearings, he stumbled into the Suncrest Summit Cafe, where he was rescued. Can you say, BONK! Number, FOUR! After a water bottle of Cytomax, Cliff Bar, Snicker Bar, Tiger Bar, the BIG MAN felt like he might make it home,
Remember, It's not how FAST you START, but how STRONG you FINISH!
YIPPY SKIPPY
We Made It!
Here Comes The Sun
little Indian, thanks for STOPPING so BIG MAN could take a picture, he's DYING
