| Date | July 25, 2009 |
| Hosts | Dover DOGS (Mirabel and Dave Garland, Linda and George Wells) |
| Where | Garland house, Dover |
| Who (else) | Julie and Stu Conway, Brenda and Larry Isherwood, Wendy and Jeff Winick; Susan Nicolich and Dave Snope (non-riding) |
As the peloton of the Tour de France was riding towards the showdown atop Mount Ventoux, five DOGS teams were gathering at the home of Team Garland (Dave and Maribel), for the first Dover DOGS ride covering some miles of central Morris County. Participating in the ride were teams Wells (George and Linda), Conway (Stu and Julie), Garland (Dave and Maribel), Isherwood (Larry and Brenda), and Winick (Jeff and Wendy), our newest members of the kennel.
Following introductions and conversation we had the traditional picture taken, after which George went over some of the particular points of the cue sheets. While there were a number of distances available, the choices were a 22- and 32-mile loop. Team Isherwood opted for the 32 miles while the rest chose the 22 mile loop.
As advertised, these rides go from suburban to rural portions of Morris County with the longer route becoming even more rural, as well as hillier. Three of the roads we rode on were recently resurfaced with assistance from the economic stimulus package--hence the re-naming of the ride "Tour de Stimulus."
The pack stayed together until the climb up Diamond Spring Road to Rockaway Valley Road where Team Isherwood, planning an additional ten hilly miles of riding, left the pack behind. Team Wells maintained the lead for the rest of the pack with everyone noting that they did not need their cue sheets. Everyone seemed happy with the pace which was not fast, but just brisk enough to make it interesting.
As is the tradition of the DOGS, we followed the ride with a great afternoon of food, drink, and conversation. Dave did a great job with the grill and there was an excellent selection of foods shared by the teams doing the ride. Shortly after the picnic started, Dave Snope and Susan Nicolich arrived with their delicious dessert and shared the rest of the afternoon with their Fellow DOGS.
This was Team Wells's return to riding with the club following a long period of problems and injuries. We're happy to be back riding with our fellow DOGS. What our club is noted for is the quality of our rides and post-ride camaraderie. It was a great day. The only downside is that it was too bad that more of our fellow DOGS were unable to participate in what turned out to be a very enjoyable day. But the good news is that there are more rides on the club calendar. The next ride will be Friday, 31 July and watching tandem track racing at the Velodrome in Trexlertown, PA. Our next DOGS rides will be led by Dave Snope and Susan Nicolich from/to Dave's home in Califon on 1 August and then another first time offering by Team Weiner (Dr. Bob and Ronna), in upstate New York, Sunday, 9 August, that will have the DOGS on some very cycling-popular roads with a food stop in Nyack. (Please check out the Events Calendar.)
We hope to see more of our fellow DOGS at one or more of these rides. Remember, it is you who make this a great club.
Linda & George Wells
Leaders -- Doubles Of the Garden State (DOGS)