Dec-01: Shiftless, 10K-Hound, R-36, ECN-100

Low temp shortly after the 0700 start -- 32 F.
High temp -- 66 F.
Temp at the finish -- 50 F.

The 66 didn't feel much like 66,
Except on a climb or two.

Leesville-Leasburg-Leesville (L-L-L) 204-km Permanent

Shiftless:
A bit of an exaggeration.
Ian always had at least 2 gears to choose from after his rear derailleur cable broke.
He managed to get the chain into a middling cog before the homestretch of Kemp + Boxelder roads.
Was semi-amusing to notice Ian going backward whenever the road tilted up.
Ricochet, BikerBob and I certainly learned how to keep Ian at our climbing pace.

10K-Hound:
Ricochet Robert reached and passed 10K RUSA kms on this ride.
He thought it appropriate for him to mark the occasion on L-L-L. 
He did the route 7 times last year, and 14 times this year.
Only.  14.  Times.

His exact 10K-moment was pretty close to the free-range chicken ranch.
Diane happened to be outside doing some chores.
We got her to take a couple photos.

L to R:  Bob, Ian, Robert, me.  (The fast contingent from Wilmington (R^2 + Rex) had gone on ahead -- their loss.)

Can't decide which photo I prefer.  Maybe the first one.

R-36:
Bob became the first of the 2010-NC-rando rookies to get R-36.
 _ _ (He'll be the only one of us to get R-36 this calendar year.
 _ _ Bryan + Tim + Ian are a couple months behind.) 
  
He's only had to "rescue" his series four times:

1. Feb-2011 after hernia surgery in January, 
2. June-2011 after crashing into a dog at night on a 600k (broke a rib or two), 
3. July-2012 after laying off in order to avoid serious Achilles tendinitis. 
4. Sep-2012 after getting the worst end of the deal with a pot-hole on the ToC-1200. 

At the end of this ride, Bob noted agreement with something MariaF once said:
Triple-L is harder than the "Sauartown 200" permanent.

ECN-100:

Eddington Cycling Number: 

After this ride:  100. 
Meaning that I have completed at least 100 different rides that were at least 100 miles long. 
  
The fast contingent from Wilmington (R^2 + Rex):
After we turned off Old-75 onto the Stagville Rd climb about 24-miles into the ride, 
We only saw them when we repeatedly woke them from their naps
As they diligently waited for us at each control, and at the finish.

The Dark Monster:
Ian, Bob, Robert and I did NOT beat the Dark Monster on this ride.
With the struggles of several + the derailleur cable break and "fix",
We were happy with the resulting tie.
 
Ian + MaryR had a thoughtful surprise for Robert at the finish:
Very nice touch from Mary + Ian. 

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BikerBob took several photos before, during and after the ride.
To see them, click here.

"rexycarp" also took a number of photos before, during and after.
To see those, click here. 


A great day to have been alive.
A great day to have done a bike ride on a great course with some great companions.
Oh, and the fast contingent from Wilmington was also okay.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dec-01:   

Leesville-Leasburg-Leesviile 204-km Permanent; 127.1 m.; 8h20 in-motion; 15.2 mph; elapsed time:  10h20.  

Q-1 tot: _22 rides; 1,610.3 m; 108h42; 14.8 mph; _1947 RUSA kms. 
Q-2 tot: _29 rides; 2,711.5 m; 182h48; 14.8 mph; _2700 RUSA kms. 

Q-3 tot: _32 rides; 2,958.9 m; 197h17; 15.0 mph; _2983 RUSA kms. 

Oct tot: _10 rides; __868.8 m; _58h45; 14.8 mph; _1089 RUSA kms. 

Nov tot: __7 rides; __658.8 m; _43h07; 15.3 mph; __876 RUSA kms. 

Dec tot: __1 rides; __127.1 m; __8h20; 15.2 mph; __204 RUSA kms. 

YTD tot: 101 rides; 8,935.4 m; 599h00; 14.9 mph; _9799 RUSA kms.