Starting out from the Park, we got off easy with some rolling terrain. The weather was still a little overcast, but the sun was beginning to shine thru and "roll away" the clouds. (Linda and George decided to wear their "clear" lenses). It couldn't have been more perfect for a day of tandeming. We remained in pretty much two groups for the duration of the ride. The roads were lightly trafficked, most of the trees were still green, thus, no leaves had, as yet, started to fall. However, there is a hint of Autumn because some of the trees are beginning to shed their Summer greens for the splendid colors of Fall. It's going to happen soon--the pretty Fall colors--and you know what happens after that!
The climbing started shortly after leaving Basking Ridge (passing the site of the 1997 ETR--where the DOGS were born!) As we crossed Route 202, we entered the realm of The Somerset HILLS. Some of these roads are deceptive. Riding along in a nice, middle-ring-combination, you go around a bend and are faced with a granny-gear-challenge. Some fancy shifting was required in a few places. Some grades were 10%, (as registered by Linda's inclinometer), followed by some awesome down hills. (Team Wells registered a top speed of 41.1 mph somewhere along the ride). The farther we got into Morris County, the steeper the hills became.
At almost the precise halfway point, (Hilltop Presbyterian Church in Mendham), the full compliment of six teams regrouped and headed for the "rest stop" a few miles ahead. The second half of the cue sheet contained a warning about Picatinny Road. We questioned our hosts who had mixed reasons for the warning about the climb. The bottom line was that the road climbs almost instantly after the turn. Actually, it wasn't all that terrible, (feeling of Team Wells), even though one section was a full 12% grade--a short but very steep grade. The problem was, that this climb came in the final third of the ride--when our legs were begin to feel like "toast," thus making our climb up Picatinny Road a bit more difficult. That climb was followed by a screaming downhill that included lots of curves, not to mention a "T" at the end. We rode our brakes all the way down, largely because there were cars in front of us going slower than we could have carved out the turns.
Back through New Vernon, into Morristown and the Park for some delicious goodies prepared by our hosts which also included great conversation following the ride. Then, team-by-team we had to return home and resume our non-tandeming lives.
The season isn't over yet! There is still the ride next weekend in Tuckerton--in "pancake flat" country. And, who knows, an impromptu Fall ride by any DOGS Teams could still be scheduled, weather permitting.
By the way, we're hoping to hear from you about whether you would be available to join us for the Winter Solstice Party at the new home of Alan and Pam Bergstrom who live in Frenchtown. They have suggested either 6 or 13 December and requested that we send you all an e-mail to see which date is best for you. So, please let us know, so that we can send them an e-mail and tell them whether the 2003 DOGS Winter Solstice Party will be 6 or 13 December.
Linda & George Wells
PS: Mark made up some great decals for the DOGS giving our web-site address. Thanks Mark! We think you're the official VP of Marketing for The DOGS.