Hi Buddy,
Daniel though he organized it and Bao took the pictures have asked that I write the piece so hence it would be pleasure.
It was a great day, thank you to all that showed up at the wee early hour of 7am to ride with us. Having everyone's support was awesome especially for the 7 of us (Doug, Bao, Nghia, Holly, Danny, Tom, and myself) who rode 80 plus miles the whole way home in the rain which at times was flying sideways hitting us like sharp nails. I swear it felt like hail :)
I just remember thinking when is it every gonna stop raining? Is the whole state of Florida engulfed in a rain cloud? Nevertheless given the fact that we had a very experience group together lead by the sage wisdom of one of Gainesville's own guard (noticed I didn't say old) Doug, the ride in the rain was very safe and well organized. Great job by Tom big quads Cox and Danny G for pulling us for much of the way home.
The ride out to the beach was an extreme polar opposite to the ride home, sunny little traffic, tail wind. We got to Crescent beach some of us (myself) even had the arrogance to think, at the pace we were going we would be home by 4pm instead of the actual 6:03pm.
I'll write a more full update to James to include in the next gcc newsletter per his request with the names of those that showed up, a long with the finishers.
In summary 14 showed up at 7am at super cool bike shop, we started riding around 7:20pm arrived in Cresent Beach at 11:35am ate lunch then rode home to arrive back at the shop at 6:04pm total distance was 154.7 miles and we experienced to the two extremes of mid August Floridian weather. 7 finished the whole round trip. Other stopped at the midpoint or was picked up at Cresent Beach. No crashes and no punctures!!!! And no near misses either. Very safe ride.
Thank you once again to all my friends who I had the pleasure to share this experience with.
At a gas station 30 miles out from home, cold and rain soaked I put my hand around Holly's shoulder and told her that a special friend of ours who is no longer with us in person would have chopped at the bit to be here and he would have loved to ride every minute in this horrific weather. We both looked at each other reflected, smiled, and then saddled up once again.
Wayne
On Aug 19, 2012, at 12:31 PM, James Thompson wrote:
Team, Club,
Would love some copy and reflections from the epic ride you guys did today. Sounds like it was a nice mix of TF/GCC folks. I'll post as news in the GCC member's area, publish in next print newsletter, and post the final draft on the team florida site. Our shop may post it to the web site for general interest, and any shop is welcome to do so. I wouldn't mind having a list of who was on the ride too, but not necessary.
I'd prefer you send it to gainesvillecyclingclub@gmail.com. It is also easiest if you make it a shared Google Document, but I can work with attachments or emails if you don't Google Doc.
This is my favorite ride in Florida, wish I could have joined you all.
James T
News Editor
Advocacy Director
Gainesville
Cycling Club
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