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Great ride with perfect weather this last Monday with some 40 riders showing up. The Shipyard Summer Ales, Tiki lamps, hot dogs, Chex Mix and cool new bamboo fencing after the ride provided by this weeks Monday host Richard Hutchins were sublime. Russ Boisvert expressed concern that Richard was upping the ante for post ride entertaining just be fore Russ' turn to host this coming Monday. Have no fear, Russ, as long as the there is cold beer (oh yeah, and a nice red for Dana) no one will even notice. Don't forget that Forest Garden is our baseline for decor! (Rick Goduti and Shannon will host the week after that.)
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So here is the plan for Thursday, a new, but actually old route for the ride that I have come up with. It is about the same distance, 37 miles, has plenty of climbing, much less traffic and fewer traffic lights, most of the same route including Dutton and a safer descent off of Blackstrap. (Regroups at top of Field Rd (brief), Cumberland Fair Grounds on Blanchard Road.)
Check attached map, but primary differences from original Thursday route is that we turn left off of Blanchard onto Skillins Road from Blanchard going out and coming back we take left off of Blackstrap down Mountain Rd instead of coming down Blackstrap. As usual, caution and group safety are strongly urged on this descent and especially the turn onto Brook Road.
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Kris is planning on a 50+/- ride Sunday morning (8/03) at 10am from the shop . Drop him an email if you are interested.
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It does not help the image of clubs, or cycling in general, when taking up the road on group rides. If we all gently remind each other now and again, we will allow cars to pass and we will all be safer.
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So here is the plan for Thursday, a new, but actually old route for the ride that I have come up with. It is about the same distance, 37 miles, has plenty of climbing, much less traffic and fewer traffic lights, most of the same route including Dutton and a safer descent off of Blackstrap. (Regroups at top of Field Rd (brief), Cumberland Fair Grounds on Blanchard Road.)
So here it is: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/me/portland/235230092
Check attached map, but primary differences from original Thursday route is that we turn left off of Blanchard onto Skillins Road from Blanchard going out and coming back we take left off of Blackstrap down Mountain Rd instead of coming down Blackstrap. As usual, caution and group safety are strongly urged on this descent and especially the turn onto Brook Road.
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Kris is planning on a 50+/- ride Sunday morning (8/03) at 10am from the shop . Drop him an email if you are interested.
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Lastly, since Mondays and Thursdays have become so large and popular, we need to make a greater effort to ride single or double file, especially when leaving and entering Portland, while on major roads (Ocean/Rte 9, Baxter Boulevard, Main Street & Greeley Road in Cumberland, even Blackstrap and especially whenever someone yells "Car Back". Last Monday a cop was sitting right at the light as we entered Cumberland off of Tuttle. Despite yells of car back we were often 3 abreast through town with him following us the way through town and all the way down Greeley. He gave us a warning when we reached Middle Road, as did another less polite driver a mile or 2 later.
It does not help the image of clubs, or cycling in general, when taking up the road on group rides. If we all gently remind each other now and again, we will allow cars to pass and we will all be safer.
1 comment:
Re Apres Ride for Monday August 4.
I have now spent innumerable hours, and tapped into my home equity line of credit, to convert my garage to an exact replica of Forest Gardens. I have also hired certain Oakhurst employees as “extras”, to mingle with us on Monday; this will add to the atmosphere, they will be the ones in non-spandex attire.
Forest Gardens itself will be closed next Monday; I have hired the bar keep from the Gardens. I am also offering draft beer specials, and discounts to club members on peanut purchases. I must warn you, however, the peanuts are being sold in 5 pound bag quantities; and no sharing. Red wines will be available to those with VIP passes; no, Richard, no VIP pass for you. Dana, your VIP pass can be picked up anytime between 6PM and 1AM; just go in the rear entrance to my garage, and show the bar keep your CCC jersey.
A lavish and endless buffet will be spread out around 8:30PM; my desert invoice alone is well over $300.00.
Richard has indeed upped the ante. I am seeking a preliminary injunction from a Cumberland County Superior Court justice this afternoon. This order will permanently prohibit the use of Tiki lighting and bamboo fencing from any future CCCP event. Rick Goduti and Shannon are forewarned, they can be added to the list of defendants with a pen stroke.
Otherwise come as you are, as they say. I thought of mailing invites; but the desert invoice ruined my postal budget. I will not be checking IDs. And valet parking, to and from the Deering High School park lots, will be provided; no bikes are allowed into my version of Forest Gardens. As an aside, Bicycling Magazine, will be filming us as we quaff our brews for an additional layout in their Finish section: be on your best behavior, and can we all agree, in advance, on which CCCP kit we are all to wear.
One more note, I have flatted on two out of the last three Monday night rides. I expect a lot of deference next Monday night; I flat, someone is offering me their wheel. I was examining Richard’s wheels the other day; they appear to be a perfect fit.
Russ
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