Team Wells: Giro d'Warren

Last Saturday morning got off to an interesting start when we had a phone call from Walt wondering what to do about the scheduled ride considering the weather forecast. This was really strange; the last time this ride was held, the same thing happened--threats of rain with the ultimate reality that it never happened. After much discussion and looking at various weather maps on the internet the final decision was to "go for it!" And we did. And we're glad of it!

Team Doubleoccupancy's rides are always interesting, not to mention challenging. Of course the Giro D'Warren (formerly Fish, Flowers, and Fowl) is the least hilly of their three (and much appreciated) rides they lead each season. In this ride, there are actually sections that can be defined as "flat." Of course, the flats are punctuated by the sometimes rolling, sometimes downright steep hills of Warren County.

A few days prior to the ride, Team Isherwood (Larry and Brenda) advised Team Wells to "ride smart" staying on somebody's wheel instead of going off-the-front early only to be dropped when the second half of the ride started. Well, we tried. We were sitting behind Teams Isherwood and Boyd/Allison (Malcolm and Judy), having a great time without our "nose in the wind" when we hit a small grade. Suddenly Team Isherwood slowed down and something was said about shifting. We figured they dropped their chain and Teams Wells (Linda and George) and Allison/Boyd moved forward. Then Allison/Boyd fell behind waiting for Team Isherwood, who, we learned later, had broken their cassette cable at the connection point. I (George) really wish we had stopped because we pack spare shift and brake cables--sorry Larry and Brenda.

So there was Team Wells off-the-front with our noses in the wind. It was a nice day, humid, but nice, anyway, and we figured that "any minute now" the pelethon was going to gobble us up. Like we did last year, on this ride, we made it all the way to the mid-point rest stop without seeing another tandem. Five minutes after we made it to the rest stop, the other teams arrived at the deli--Teams Isherwood (Brenda and Larry), Hamanaka/Willard (Claire and Walt), Allison/Boyd (Judy and Malcolm), Brandriss/Kristol (Marji and Dave), Conway (Julie and Stu), Cudworth and LeGrand/Chan (Christina and Rich). Team Cate (Barbara and Tracy) were working their way along the route and arrived before the rest of us continued on the second half of our journey.

We started out on the return route with a nice downhill grade followed by some nice flat roads. Team Wells got an early start but soon heard the rest of the teams behind us. (There was a fox-on-the-run for the DOGS to chase.) We made nice time on the flats, as I (George) began to consider the folks who settled this area. The Giro D' Warren includes such fun-loving names as "Cemetery" and "Shades of Death Road." (Is Claire trying to tell us something about our mortality?) Of course, Shades of Death has it's own "bit of a hill", a mere 10% grade that just sits there as you go forward. This year Team Isherwood (fully repaired by this time) caught us and, as usual, powered up the grade and went flying right on by us, as though we had been standing still. Meanwhile, not wanting to repeat last year's mistake of not shifting into the granny ring, I downshifted and we "spun up" the grade. I did catch sight of Larry looking back challenging us to catch them. No way Larry, you are holders of the Polka-Dot Jersey and there is no contest.

At the end of Shades of Death Road, Claire restored the right turn at Hope Road and left onto Marble Hill. (Last Year was a left followed by a right up an immediate 12% grade.) "Marble Hill" isn't an easy climb, either. On top of the ridge line, we got great views as we approached the long awaited screaming downhill of Church street. A right onto Mountain Lake Road and the end-of-the-route rollers that tend to make your thighs scream "UNCLE, ALREADY!" and we finally made it back to White Township Recreation Park. Half the teams had arrived ahead of us, the other half were still on the road, giving credence to our new moniker "Team Half-Fast."

As we turned into the parking lot, a brief sun shower dampened our bikes and skin. (It felt good.) We had a great picnic as we awaited the arrival of Team Cate, who had "modified the route" and taken a disadvantageous shortcut. We even sent out a rescue van in case there was trouble, but no sag was needed. They pedaled their way in, completing the 34 miles with a few additional miles tacked on.

Following our delicious lunch, prepared by Claire and several DOGS, we segued to Team Cate's "cabin in the woods" for some relax time and a swim in their lake for Tracy, Barbara and Debbie. (A very nice surprise. Thank you Tracy and Barbara.)

Thanks to Claire and Walt for another wonderful day of tandeming. It was another great day for the DOGS.

See you on the roads.


Linda & George Wells (a.k.a., Team Half-Fast)
Leaders - Doubles Of the Garden State


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Last modified: 26 May 2004