Wheels are Rolling

Welcome back warm weather, and fast wheels. The past week has lead to some interesting events. First was the inaugural kickoff ride to the MS150 season, a usually warm short ride that welcomes around 20-30 people for a jaunt around the south east part of louisville, however this year it was anything but warm, or dry...as the riding season has introduced itself this year, we are up for rain, cold spurts, rain, and inclement weather. At 40 degrees and raining the ride was pushed through by 5 team members, and 2 local shop riders. At least 1 MS150 hopefull showed for the ride, but turned around and headed home after the first 5 miles. the rest of us plowed through the weather and put in our 25 miles.
Tuesday, the day of choice to put in a very fast, heart and lung testing sprint through the eastern suburb of Louisville, cherokee park. 2 weeks ago about 50 some riders set off and about half of them, including myself found ourselves sitting up enjoying a climb up from the river talking as the front 25 left us dusted with speed of over 28 mph down past the ballpark. However this week there was fewer riders, and the ride dumped in on a later ride club ride that heads up river road. With one local speed demon on the front for almost 6 miles pushing the pace up to above 30mph again, a small group of riders held on to the speedy wheel and flew down the rain soaked road. It is amazing how your hearing improves as your heart races. I think the noise I heard the most was that of my tires passing over the occasional fresh wet pavement. It is kind of a calming swoosh you hear between heartbeats as you fight to keep up close behind the rider in front of you. It is awesome to be there with other riders, no talking, just flying down the road.
Anyway, after the endorphins pass the ride that was rained out for most will be the reason those 6 riders who show up will never miss another Tuesday night. However the 6 that fought through the ride on Sunday will probably pass on the rest of the rainy rides for the rest of the season. I say thanks to all the reasons that fave me the experience of both at the start of the season.

Louisville, KY
early 2009 riding