rbent Forum - Print Page

rbent Forum
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Ride Reports >> Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl?num=1235791914

Message started by aikigreg on Feb 27^th, 2009, 9:31pm

Title: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by aikigreg on Feb 27^th, 2009, 9:31pm

Into the distance, a river of black
stretched to the point of no turning back
a flight of fancy, on a windswept field
standing alone, my senses reeled.
fatal attraction is holding me fast,
how can I escape this irresistible grasp?

Can't keep my mind from the circling sky
tongue tied and twisted
Just an earthbound misfit, I.

So today me, myself, and I did the Rio Vista Rumble. I had fools for company, but I won all the sprints! [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]

I've never done a route all by myself. I've finished one that way, but never been alone from start to finish. There is some freedom to riding your own pace without worrying about anyone else. Had anyone been able to come it wouldn't have mattered anyway, since the wind was so brutal it precluded any conversation.

Started out quite cloudy and dark with sprinkles enough to get me damp. Had almost no traffic even on lake ridge parkway. All the traffic was around the several schools I rode past.

Bud, you will be encouraged to know that (Briton?) road - the one that was so foul to ride on, still had some places that felt like you were riding over ruts, but every single bit of the loose scree was G-O-N-E. [smiley=cheers.gif]

With the incoming front, I had the wind from all directions on my way out, but I made the 57 miles to Blum in about 3:15, in spite of having my bag dragging against my tire AGAIN for who knows how long. I knew I felt slow but I thought it was just me.. I was hoping to be done in between 8-8.5 hours. HAH! [smiley=headbang.gif]

That was when the wind REALLY started picking up, the temp dropped, and I got royally BEEPed! The ONE time I had wind at my back for exactly 4 miles my speed never went under 26, even uphill. Then I turned onto a road that was straight as an arrow and gave me a quartering headwind that was wild. I was able to maintain 14-15 with effort, leaning over a bit. When a rig would pass me it felt like my wheels were coming off the ground and I immediately jumped to 18. When a rig came the other way it was like getting punched in the head.

I basically spent the whole way from Blum back to Joe Pool with a headwind. Eventually I was unable to fight it off and round about itasca I was just turning the pedals. Thankfully Bud had already warned me this would happen so I didn't get distraught, just disappointed that my finish time would be much later. The long climbs out of Maypearl aren't fun on a good day, and sucked royally with the stiff wind in my face.

Speaking of Maypearl I saw something that made the entire 200k worth it, beyond FINALLY getting my ride in for my r-12. Right as I came into the suburbs outside the city, there as a 3 foot banana on the edge of his yard waving a big plastic sword at everyone. When I slowed up to talk to him he yells "hey wanna buy a banana?" I replied, "son, I thought *I* was the weirdest thing on the road today.!" [smiley=dbanana.gif]

Anyway, nearly the entire last 30 miles were done at 8-12 mph. Even downhill. When the wind turned to the side a bit I was able to get 16-17, and occasional spurts over 20 downhill, but that was rare. Oh, and my seatfoam is toast - no wonder I was so sore on the bike at sebring - I might has well have been sitting on the bare carbon fiber.

Anyway, the end result is that I had a good time. Almost no traffic whatsoever and no dog issues other than a Doberman ver. 2.0 who had stealth mode turned on. Fun ride, mostly good roads, and no bonus miles to speak of. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Feb 27^th, 2009, 9:56pm

The banana was only 3 feet tall?????? [smiley=lolk.gif]

Glad you were able to get it in, sorry it was such a rough day in/on the saddle!!!! What's wrong with your seat foam?

(Oh, and excellent Floyd quote....) [smiley=notworthy.gif]

Title: Re: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by aikigreg on Feb 27^th, 2009, 10:10pm

The kid couldn't have been any older than 8yo. ;D

That filter foam stuff just gives out and compresses over time, and apparently if you have a big arse like me it just goes that much quicker. *sigh* I'm going to be doing a lot less biking in March and doing some intervals and weight training and se if I can fix that - my body is geting too efficient at processing calories and I'm gaining weight. That will NOT prep me for RAO and make me a better climber.

FlyingLaZBoy wrote:

Title: Re: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by Killer Bee on Feb 27^th, 2009, 10:13pm

Greg, congratulations on completion of another LSR rando ride(solo no less). One step closer to the R-12. [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]

Title: Re: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by aikigreg on Feb 27^th, 2009, 10:22pm

just March to go!

Title: Re: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by Bud_Bent on Feb 27^th, 2009, 11:01pm

Good job, Greg! I figured the return ride was going to be tough. But it would have been a lot tougher tomorrow. When I was driving to work early this morning and my truck was showing 71 degrees, I was thinking that at least you would have a few hours before it started turning cold.

Title: Re: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by Kwijybow on Feb 27^th, 2009, 11:38pm

Great Job Greg! it was kinda Deja Vu reading this, that is until you got to the Banana part!

Take Care,
Nelson.

Title: Re: Ever seen a 3 foot banana?
Post by aikigreg on Feb 28^th, 2009, 1:51pm

I had to be up at 5am this morning for a baseball game. I am *SO* glad My incredibly intelligent wife suggested I play hooky yesterday to ride and get the r-12 done. I would NOT have made it today, I think.