First, thanks to Steve for putting together the route and coordinating this event.  I know it's got to be tough trying to accomodate the needs and wants of so many different riders.  Then, I'd just like to wonder aloud, how can a 777 ride be so flipping unlucky?  I'd expect 8 mechanicals (by my count) on a 6/6/06 ride, but not 7/7/07.
 
Rather than take up space here, anyone who's interested can read the blow-by-blow ride report at my blog.

Quote from Bud_Bent on Jul 8^th, 2007, 3:28pm:

 
Yes. Thanks to all who participated. To say it was a bizarre ride,would be an under statement. Depsite all the flats,it was still fun. I esepcially enjoyed that mini-break away with Bud & Paul and riding with all of you in horse country. Thanks for making yesterday a special day.
 
At least there were no incidents at Lucy's cafe. Good food,good times,with good friends.
 
-Steve & Peggy.

I had a good time until we hit the last 10 miles.  The frequent stops in the sun just really wear a man down, especially when he'd already done 275 miles that week after a 3 week layoff and in much cooler weather.   I was just too underrecovered to fight the heat, humidity and the chipseal.  No way I was maintaining any speed.  Plus the ramp-ups and then stops for mechanicals really made me stiff.  Oh well, it builds character, or something
 
I tell you though.  In spite of the fact that I bought the p-38 as a strictly commuter/tour bike, I'm thinking about switching to a corsa, with the way you big-wheel people handle the chipseal.  Would One of you mind letting me try your bike at our next get-together?    
 
Double-thanks to the Stradas for my birthday brownie and ice cream.  I would have shared except...well...I didn't WANT to!  
 
Also, great blog, O Rider of Foo.  Final score was bents:  7, uprights:  0.  
 
Here are my unedited photos.  Let me know if the albumshare doesn't work.
 
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v652/aikigreg/celina%202007/

You know, I try to keep people's names out of the blog (hence my always referring to him as just "a DF rider") but I did feel bad about the fact that I never knew Mr. Unlucky's name.  I have a pretty good idea where he could've scored a "new" 1500, but it sounds like he's already replaced it—and I guess a 54cm wouldn't fit him anyway.  I remember him being tall-ish.
 
The good news is that he's probably used up all his bad luck for this season!

Wish I could've been there.  Sounds like a "memorable" ride.  I got out on my own for 43.5 miles that morning, leaving at 8:30 and getting back to the house at 11:30, averaging 14.5, the main goal to see if if I could do a 40+ miler without cramping.  I didn't get any cramps until I got off the bike.  I was completely wasted at the end though, so I probably made the right decision to stay home.  Don't think I could have completed a 60+ miler at any speed.
Glad everyone got back OK.  Definitely an all-time high for mechanicals in one ride!
Robert

Quote from Strada177 on Jul 8^th, 2007, 8:07pm:

 
Oh, MAN, what an end to the day...   That happened to a GDB buddy of mine at the Mesquite Ride last year -- he put his tandem on top of his van, and proceeded to try to take down the "START/FINISH" banner with it...  the banner won...