Dec-11-2021: "JRA" After Sending off the Mt Tirzah Pop Crew

Putting on a new monthly Populaire Series under the auspices of "Fearless Leader" RBA Alan? 

I'd done a pre-ride the weekend before, 

So after checking everyone in, 

Giving advice "don't fall in the hole at the Timberlake control", 

there's a reason for that orange fencing, 

I released the crew promptly at 0800. 

 

I then proceeded to ride with the crew until just before Bahama. 

I couldn't hold on the final one or two hundred yards to get the center of Bahama. 

 

I should comment that there was more traffic on Stagville Rd getting up to Bahama, 

More traffic than I had ever experienced, and 

I probably cannot accurately count the number of times 

I've ridden Stagville Rd between Old-75 and Bahama. 

I commented to that affect and apologized several times to the crew. 

 

Finally, nearing Bahama, but while I was still with the crew, 

It became obvious WHY all the extra traffic: 

Bahama was having their very own Christmas Parade that day, and 

The Parade course was Stagville Rd up to the center of town. 

After reaching that location, it was not obvious where the Parade would continue. 

 

The traffic was from people driving to get a spot along the Parade route, and 

Joining the many already camped out alongside the road. 

 

A lesson there:  check for the date of the Bahama Christmas Parade, and 

Do NOT schedule a rando ride to go thru Bahama on that day! 

 

 

Anywat, the Populaire route continued "due north" from the center of Bahama 

Whereas I turned at that corner to ride Bahama Rd down to Lake Michie and beyond. 

 

Lake Michie? 

More like Bahama Beach. 

There had been a rather dry spell, and Lake Michie was the second lowest I can recall. 

"Lake Michie" [I think] downstream from the bridge; more akin to "Bahama Beach."  Due to the dry spell, the lake was not much more than the course of the Flat River.  Timestamp 0914. 

Lake Michie [upstream from the bridge, I think].  Usually, that bare expanse would be flooded with water from the man-made lake.  But, as noted above, with the dry spell, only the course of the Flat River on this day.  Timestamp 0914. 

 

Leaving Lake Michie / Bahama Beach behind me, I climbed the "Michie Wall" to get up to Ellis Chapel Rd, which I rode across to Cassam Rd, and that to Range Road.  Ellis Chapel is a favorite of many north Raleigh cyclists -- prominent among them being Byron, RUSA #621, who left Ellis Chapel Rd out of his hill torture "Leesville - Leasburg - Leesville" Permanent because he couldn't figure out how to include the road and make a sensible Perm route. 

 

Down the "Range Wall" and up into Butner, 

Where I found the Gazebo decked out for Christmas. 

 
 

I left Butner via Gate Road #2. 

Then turned southbound on Will Suitt Rd. 

A direction I seldom ride on that road. 

 

Made my way to Cheek Rd headed toward Falls Lake, and 

Then beyond to Patterson Rd and 

The return to Ravenstone Plaza to wait for the Populaire riders. 

 

Once I got to Cheek Rd, I was again riding the same roads the Pop riders would use. 

As I was well ahead of the Pop riders, 

I was first to discover the significant headwind esp. while crossing Falls Lake. 

 

That headwind slowed me CONSIDERABLY and 

The grouped peloton of the Pop riders broke apart crossing Fall Lake. 

That being what various riders told me. 

And which is confirmed by their official finish times (see below). 

 

 
For kicks, or recent consistency's sake, the following from my Excel log: 

 

•  -> Ravenstone-Bahama-RangeRd-Butner-WillSuit-Ravenstone -> 
• 0630 from my place  --  0800 group Mt Tirzah start  --  strong SSW wind 
• 73.7 total miles (for me);  5:22 in-motion;  13.7-mph avg in-motion 

 

Populaire results, including the pre-riders: 

Region	Club	Type	Distance	Date	Finishers	DNF
NC: Raleigh	North Carolina Bicycle Club / 933045	RUSAP	107	2021/12/11	9	0

Cert#	RUSA#	Name	Club / ACP Code	Time	Medal
RUSA-P18276	7702	A__, Iva C	Randonneurs USA / 933095	05:59
RUSA-P18277	5843	B__, Bob	Randonneurs USA / 940095	05:59
RUSA-P18278	6628	B__, Robert D	Randonneurs USA / 933095	04:59
RUSA-P18279	1015	B__, Chet	North Carolina Bicycle Club / 933045	04:50
RUSA-P18280	9381	D__, Jason B	Randonneurs USA / 933095	04:42
RUSA-P18281	4649	M__, John L	Carolina Tarwheels / 933047	04:52
RUSA-P18282	3175	O__, Lindley	Randonneurs USA / 933095	04:50
RUSA-P18283	6218	S__, Martin	North Carolina Bicycle Club / 933045	05:59
RUSA-P18284	8024	T__, Michael M	Carolina Tarwheels / 933047	04:42

[Note:  pre-riders in brown text.  

I reckon we had better ride weather, but took our camaraderie time.]  

 

 

The above is a story; one to which I will be sticking.