Investigation into "Lost" Irregulars

To: the irregulars, except
cc: Snapper, Wave, Levi, Steve

Re: Further thoughts on the inability of certain persons to read and follow a cue sheet, and the "getting lost" that followed:

For those that may not know, a couple weeks ago, four of our intrepid members took a "short course" instead of trying the "regular course". Those four had at least one copy of the appropriate cue sheet, but were apparently unable to read and follow same.


Investigative questioning suggests that the foursome chose to turn onto NC-56 from Grove Hill Rd instead of proceeding directly across the highway as indicated by the cue sheet. The foursome made that choice despite the fact that one of the members, only two weeks prior, had been through that intersection following exactly the course the foursome were supposed to be following on their way back to PUE. Strange.

So the foursome took the hilly NC-56 to Wilton and turned south on NC-96. I believe that two of the foursome have been through Wilton headed for PUE at least once. I am absolutely sure that one of the foursome has been through Wilton at least once. One would think that the foursome would have "recovered" their senses of whereabouts, and proceeded swiftly and surely back to PUE. Even if they were not 100% sure of the course to be followed from Wilton, all they had to do was follow the Bike Route # 1 signs to get back to familiar ground. But no, they did not recognize the new potential course, nor did they recognized the BR #1 signs. Strange.

The foursome successfully follow NC-96 the 1.9 miles in a southerly direction to the corner where NC-96 makes a near 90% left turn. In fact, there is even a stop sign the foursome had to negotiate at that corner. If at least one of the foursome had recognized where they were and what was the proper course given where they had managed to "get lost to", they should have proceeded straight across the intersection, leaving NC-96 and entering upon Horseshoe Rd. Failing to realize the correct course on their own, they might still have been "saved" if they had noticed the BR #1 signs. But no. They made the left turn and continued on NC-96. Very strange.

If the foursome had been paying any attention to the cue sheet and the roads they intersected, they might have noticed Wayside Farm Rd on their right approx 0.7 miles after making that wayward left turn to stay on NC-96. But no. They might have noticed the Western Wear Store on their left another approx 0.5 miles down the road. At least one of the foursome has made a RS at the Western Wear Store, and another in that foursome might have recalled the "sandy" exit from the Western Wear Store onto NC-96 from two weeks prior. But, again, no. Extremely strange.

Having missed all the above landmarks, which one would have thought would have been recognized by at least one of the foursome, surely the foursome would have realized and recognized Pokomoke Rd and the green sign for Pokomoke at the intersection of NC-96 and Pokomoke Rd. After all, I pointed out the Pokomoke sign to at least one of the foursome when we stopped at the stop sign when only 15 miles into the ride. Further, a second member of the foursome has been through that intersection several times, and had "won" a CL sprint only 0.3 miles southwest of that corner when only 14.7 miles into that day's ride. Further, a third member of that foursome, had ridden on Pokomoke Rd, in both directions, only a month or so before. Incredible; how can they have missed Pokomoke Road?

The foursome continued on their way on NC-96, and passed from Granville into Franklin county. again. They managed to roll past a "Youngsville Fire Dept" station, and serendipitously "found" a cyclist that had been dropped by some ride out of Finley Y. As best I can figure, the foursome almost made it to US-1 (Capital Blvd). One wonders what the foursome would have done had they reached US-1.

At this point, I have to guess at the route the Finley rider led them on, but I suspect it was Long Mill to Green to Sid Mitchell to Holden (which becomes Jonah Davis at the Granville CL) to Woodland Church to Camp Kanata roads. All of which, by the way, are roads that are on the cue sheet the foursome had with them. And all of which, by the way, being roads that at least two of the foursome have ridden at least once. Beyond Incredible.

Apparently, the fivesome took Camp Kanata all the way to NC-98. Then NC-98 to Six Forks Rd. One would think the mis-adventure would end there. But no. Our foursome apparently missed the turn onto Pleasant Union Church Rd. And decided they were again lost when they were on Six Forks Rd somewhere south of Norwood Road. I can think of no fitting adjective.

I guess the only good things are that they did eventually find their way to PUE.

I can think of several potential "post-mortem" comments. Some of them have to do with teaching Boy Scouts how to find their way. Others have to do with print and read and check the cue sheet on an electronic map prior to the ride. One would be nothing more than to suggest paying attention to passing landmarks while riding. Another might be along the lines of rotating "direction-finding-leadership" among the group -- but I don't want to get as lost as the fearsome foursome did.

For those not clear on who the heroes of our story are, I'll give you a hint: their e-mail addresses are NOT listed in the "To" section of this e-mail.