Shellene ,Bryan , Peggy & I rode "OK is OK" 210K route today. The ride started at 6:30am in Greenville. This was Peggy's first ride in 3 weeks, since skin cancer surgery. We rolled out shortly after 6:30 heading north of US 69 toward Celeste. There was a group of 400K LSR riders starting a few miles behind us. At about mile10+ into the ride, mark Metcalfe caught us & rode with us for a few miles. We headed north through Celeste and then Leonard for the Leonard Leviathan Hills. Bryan & I had fun charging up & down those hills.
There is a one lane bridge that crosses the Red River at mile 57+. Very cool,old bridge. This bridge adds charm/character to the ride. It's a highlight on the route.
We managed to hold off the rest of the 400K group the rest of the way . We caught Mark M. in Achille, taking it easy at the control(ice cream fix, I'm sure). My computer showed just under a 18 mph avg to this point. We had a sub 3:30 time for the first 100K, which included a control in Ector.
Achille,OK where the 200& 400k route split. The four of us head out east on OK 78 for 25 miles,until we cross the red River again on a little more modern bridge back to Texas. Onto to Bonham. That was out next control. It was starting to warm up at this point, & all four of us were ready for a break. Mile 91+. Due to Peggy's skin graft(as a result of the surgery,located on the temple area), her helmet started to rub & slowed her down a bit.
The next stretch is 39+ miles to the finish. We ride through Bonham & then Bonham Sate park. The horrible boulder seal on FM 271 in the park has drastically improved from last year & has worn well. The soreness & swelling of the skin graft kicked in at this point, & Peggy & I agreed that we would need to stop in Wolfe City for an unscheduled stop to refuel. I rode up to Bryan & Shellene & inform that we're are going to slow down the next few miles, so for them to go ahead & we'll see them later. Nope, they weren't having any of that. They were going to stop as well in Wolfe city. We roll into Wolfe City right behind them. We take an extended unscheduled stop.
18+ miles to finish. We pick up the pace & finish at 3:10pm. Ride time was 8hrs-40 mins, total mileage was 131.15. My avg. speed was 17.25 mph. This was a "PR" for Peggy
. She rode exceptionally well for someone recovery from surgery a few weeks ago & this was her first time back on the bike & in the heat. Pedalin' Peggy is back.
And Bryan & Shellene rode so strong all day & were very patient , they waited for us along the way. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves today. They're great riding partners & "good people".
This a great permanent, one of our favorites. The weather was almost perfect today. It did warm up, & the winds were relatively light. Sorry we missed the Rbent ride today. It looks like it was well attended. We were also Greg in thoughts & were hoping his Tulsa Tough ride went well.