Oct-23-2021: Bunn Warmer scouting ride

"Bunn Warmer" -- a perm-pop developed by MickH #6109 and me. 

Fifteen start groups ridden for twenty-seven completed / credited rides.  

If you look at the finish times, adjust to include that most times a long lunch was taken. 

"Bunn Warmer" -- a Populaire copied / modified from the perm-pop by JerryP #3525. 

First used as the "100k" for a NC-rando-year-end party 2012/11/24.  

At the time of this scouting ride, that was the only time that Populaire was used.  

  

COVID curtailments on rando rides coming to an end, or already ended. 

The "Bunn Warmer" would be the first of a renewed Populaire series -- the ride in Novmeber. 

I thought it would be a good idea to check out the route before the scheduled event. 

 

This will be mostly a photo essay, but first, an embed of the route (if all goes well):   

 

 

 

I casually rode the approx 9-miles to the start area, 

Historically known as "Cameron Village," 

But recently the name is supposed to be "The Village." 

 

I scouted about the shopping center area for start / gathering locations. 

Used to be a McDonald's at this location.  A good start / finish location incl. outside seating when the weather was appropriate.  0958. 

Used to be a Starbuck's at this storefront next to the Harris Teeter -- the two of them across the street from the McD's.  Also a start / finish location incl. outside seating when appropriate.  1000. 

One of the cafes in The Village.  A possible gathering location.  1004. 

My recollection is that this Saturday was an NC State home football game.  A warm late October day, there were many, many patrons sitting in the sunshine of several cafes.  1007. 

 

Parking lot and Whole Foods storefront near the library.  1011. 

Parking lot and the Library.  1011. 

Parking lot snapped from the same location as the previous two photos.  I've concluded this would be the suggested parking area for the scheduled November Populaire.  1011. 

Buddhist Temple grounds on Forestville Rd, approx 13.2-miles into the route.  1110. 

Mexican food restaurant at Wake Crossroads, approx 14.7-miles into the route.  Traditionally an Info Control on the perm-pop (and Populaire).  1119.  

C-store / gas station "office" at Wake Crossroads.  Traditionally a Store Control on the perm-pop on the return.  1120. 

Hopkins Fire Station at approx 24.1-miles into the course.  Note the flag -- there was a significant tailwind outbound -- and that wind was there to be a significant headwind inbound.  1200. 

Turtle between Hopkins and Perry's Pond needing a rescue.  1210. 

Turtle rescued.  1211. 

Perry's Pond at approx 29.2-miles into the route.  This is almost certainly the WORST photo I've ever taken at Perry's Pond.  1226. 

Speedway gas station in Bunn.  Open control in Bunn.  The Speedway was popular as the control on the Populaire mentioned in the opening lines.  Very busy this day.  1246. 

Bunn Subway shop.  Good for a quick lunch on the aforementioned perm-pop.  1249. 

Farmer's Kitchen in the heart of Bunn.  A favorite spot for lunch on the "Bunn Warmer" perm-pop, the companion "Hope Springs Eternal" perm-pop, and perhaps even on the companion "OakElmOak" Permanent (or Brevet).  You can't tell it from this photo, but there was a line of people waiting outside to get in for lunch.  I did look thru the windows and saw that there had been a lot of inside seating and cashier location changes made during the COVID lockdown.  1251. 

 
 

And, to be consistent, the info from my Excel ride log: 

• -> Cameron Village:  Bunn Warmer scouting ride -> 
• ~ 0915 start.  ~1005 from Cam Vill,  1254 turn-around in Bunn 
• total ride stats only:  86.1-miles,  6:37 in-motion,  avg 13.0-mph in-motion  

 

That's my story, and I'll be sticking to it. 

 

Oct-03: Getting High in Durham County

Did U ever get High in Durham County?

Iva and I did. 

That is, we rode up to the highest elevation in Durham County.   

 

We also intended to get High in Person County, but when we got to Mountain Brook Rd, we realized that we had the wrong bikes. We needed gravel grinders or one similar to one in the Pamela stable or a bike fit for Lon Haldemann's Route 66 Tour. In other words, TOO MUCH gravel for our 25-mm road bike tyres. (Wish I had taken a pic at the bottom of Mountain Brook Rd.) 

  

link to the RWGPS of the route intended:  

( to get High in Durham + Person counties, or, "Iva Special #2" ) 

  

We expected to find scenic view once we reached that high elevation. 

Instead. we found we were still in a tree tunnel. 

And, after all, that high elevation is only about 763 ft above sea level. 

I refer to the elevation on the road surface as the actual high elevation is actually 10 or 20 yards into the woods. 

 

Here are a few photos from the Durham County high elevation. 

 

While making our way to the Person County high elevation, 

We came across Orange County Speedway -- here are a few photos. 

One attempt at capturing a semi-scenic view from Ned Moore Rd.   

I should have stopped 50 yards earlier, or ridden "backward" for 50 yards, but ... 

Probably should significanly crop this photo to remove most of the roadway "cluttering" the foreground.  Maybe later.

 

And finally, a photo of the house on Helena-Moriah Rd that looks somewhat more dilapidated than it did 10 or 12 years ago.  [Somewhere, I have a photo of that house from that 10 or 12 years ago, but I cannot find it -- sigh.]  

That concludes this mostly photo essay, 

Except to note that starting a bicycle ride from the Butner gazebo is an excellent idea. 

• a LOT less traffic starting from there instead of from the north edge of Raleigh, and 
• it is easier and quicker to get to interesting terrain (i.e., hillier stuff).  

 

That's the story for this ride. 

A story to which I'll be sticking.  

 

================================================== 

 

Oops, let me add some comments exchanged between IvaHawk and me subsequent to the ride: 

• me:  the creek crossed on Ned Moore Rd was likely the South Flat River. The first creek crossed between Timberlake and Mt Tirzah was likely the North Flat River. The creek crossed between Mt Tirzah and Moriah appears to be Rock Fork Branch which feeds into the North Flat River. And from inspection of the map, I'm thinking that the town of Timberlake is located in Helena Township. 
• IvaHawk:  The Flat is all around that area. We pass it on Moores Mill as you know. That’s interesting about Timberlake and Helena. I couldn’t find anything on Helena. 
• me:  Oh, yes, I almost started to reply with additional actual information, but then I realized that, "YES, everything around that area is FLAT." 

 

NOW it is a story to which I'll be sticking.  

 

Oct-01-2021: Homebrew With Alan

All veteran NC randonneurs, some veterans from around the country (MarkT from Seattle comes to mind), and at least a few new local randonneurs know that one of the several hobbies of Raleigh RBA "Fearless Leader" Alan is homebrewing beer [note that at the time of the ride and brewing this post is ostensibly about, Alan was RBA; however, at the time this post is being composed, Alan has retired as the active RBA and is now our Emeritus RBA (or should that be RBA Emeritus?)]. 

 

I'm not sure when I first started helping Alan with his homebrew process. 

It is possible that a VERY careful and detailed review of my Excel ride log might inform me, 

But I choose to not do that. 

 

Usually, when I go to help Alan do a homebrew, I ride my trusty steed each direction. 

One 20-mile or so commute in the morning. 

Another 20-mile or so commute in the afternoon / evening. 

 

My help is always limited to physical things that Alan can no longer do. 

Or perhaps would be better defined as "not allowed to do because of medical restrictions." 

The main issues impacting Alan's activity regarding homebrewing are due to: 

• serial replacement of each shoulder, 
• falling and breaking his upper right arm about a year after the right shoulder replacement. 

Those have resulted in significant restrictions on his weight-lifting limits. 

So, I have lifted the heavy bags of ingredients into the boiler, 

I have moved the full kegs of resulting brew (5 gallons of liquid weighs at least 40 pounds). 

And I have cleaned out the kegs when the process has been completed. 

 

You get the idea:  Alan is the brains and I simply provide the muscle-power he cannot. 

 

I won't go into any details. 

Instead, I will let any other local that is "called" to assist learn for themselves. 

Besides, I am not knowledgeable enough to assure an accurate description. 

 

Instead, I offer the following photo of Alan in action, 

Collecting an additional flavor for the brew. 

Does this need a caption / additional explanation?  Probably not.  But here Alan collects some Cedar sprigs to flavor the homebrew.  

 
 

I'll close with the stats / info from my Excel log: 

•  -> Alan's via north route (brew beer) -> via north route, 
• AM, 0940 - 1100    --    PM,  1445 - 1640 (traffic) 
• I'll also note that the PM commute includes 100 more feet of climbing 
• same route, but Alan essentially lives next to Crabtree Creek, and 
• He has always made a point that the elevation at the traditional start of his traditional 400k brevet is the same as the elevation at the turn-around of the 400. 
• The max elevation of Alan's traditional routes is in Seagrove -- the turn-around for the 300k brevet, and the ~150k and ~250k controls on the 400. 
• Alan always delighted in mentioning those elevation facts. 
• AM, 21.1-miles    --    PM, 21.5-miles 
• as I type this, I cannot recall where / how I picked up the extra 0.4-miles in the PM. 
• However, I am confident that I did make a slight detour to acquire that bit of extra. 
• 1:18 in-motion in the AM    --    1:22 in-motion in the PM 
• overall 2:40 in-motion, resulting in an avg pace of 15.9-mph for the entire day. 
• and that was my fastest avg pace for any ride in all of 2021. 

 

That's the story for the captioned day / ride, and I'll be sticking to it. 

 

Sep-18-2021: "IvaHawk Special #1" Repeat

When COVID and the associated lockdowns "hit," 

Iva began searching the area around (mostly north) of Butner for "new roads" to ride. 

 

An additional reason was/is the roadways nearer-north of Raleigh 

Have become more congested as more wooded and otherwise green spaces 

Have been turned into housing developments. 

 

First, an embed of the planned route (I hope this works): 

 

 

The purpose of the ride was simply to have some fun on low-traffic roads. 

Pond on Hampton Rd, possibly overflowing.  It looked better in person.  Timestamp 0917. 

Road signs at the Red Mountain Rd / Moores Mill Rd corner.  There used to be a "town sign" indicating that this was "Red Mountain" crossroads (or village?).  However, that green "town sign" has disappeared -- just as the "town signs" for Culbreth and Grissom (and others) have disappeared.  Timestamp 0935. 

 

One of the highlights, maybe the best or favorite highlight of the "Iva Special #1" route is Rassie Crabtree Rd.  That road, pretty steep, curving back-and-forth, well-shaded, gives off an aura or hint of riding in the NC mountains.  
 

Rassie Crabtree Rd portion that we just rode up.  Timestamp 0944.

 

Rassie Crabtree Rd portion we are about to ride up.  Timestamp 0945. 

At the crest of Rassie Crabtree Rd, looking down into the valley on the east side of the ridge.  More impressive in person.  Timestamp 0950. 

 

During the ride, IvaHawk mentioned a "famous" photo taken atop Mt. Tirzah from back in the Irregulars heyday.  We decided to honor that photo with the following. 

IvaHawk at the hitching rail at the store atop Mt. Tirzah.  Timestamp 1012. 

 

And for good measure:  the photo being honored. 

L to R.  Ricochet Robert, BobH, Norris, Tito, Ags.  Not sure when this photo was taken; I estimate circa 2012/13.  I do not know who snapped the photo.. 

 

 
From my Excel ride log: 

• Butner:  "Iva Special #2" --  w/ Iva only.    ~ 0825 start. 
• 45.8-miles.  3:21 in-motion.  13.6-mph avg in-motion.  
• [elapsed unknown]  --  but we enjoyed lunch afterwards at "El Rio" in Butner.  

 

Sep-04-2021: Centenary 200 Pre-ride

I had committed to RBA Alan that I would help him on the 11th, the scheduled day of the Centenary 200. 

My help would mostly consist of making Alan's garage suitable for gathering inside. 

I may have also been committed to assisting in going to the grocery for "burger burning" supplies. 

 

BobB may have had a conflict early on the 11th, 

So he rode with me as a ride-along-partner. 

 

We had a pretty good ride. 

Here immediately follows the info from my Excel log, 

And that will be followed by the photos I took that day. 

Boring photos, mostly taken at the controls, instead of possibly interesting stuff along the route. 

 

• commute to the start in Morrisville: 
• 0535 start, 19.4-miles, 1:18 in-motion, (U figure out the avg pace). 
• bike confuser must have dropped some distance 
• as it should have recorded 19.6-miles.  Hmmn. 
• Morrisville - Snow Camp - Siler City and retrace to return: 
• Alan modified the starting few miles of the route as compared to earlier in the year because of significant road re-construction on Morrisville-Carpenter Rd (the historic start routing).  And interesting thing:  people so much preferred the new start location and routing because it reduced the traffic on the start / finish that the modified start location, start routing, and finish routing were adopted as the new standard. 
• The modified routing added a couple kms and that proved useful as other new roads would have otherwise meant the brevet route would have been short.   
• start approx 0712, actual elapsed ~ 10h45 
• 125.4-miles,  8:51 in-motion, (U figure out the avg pace) 
• bike confuser appears to have dropped some distance; 
• RWGPS shows 125.7-miles. 
• total ride on the day: 
• 144.8-miles,  10:09 in-motion, and that works out to be 14.3-mph avg pace. 

 

Photo essay: 

Bob + RBA Alan at the start -- I don't know what they were looking at -- obviously not me.  Timestamp 0707. 

Photo control only two or three miles into the course -- required because the new routing definitely had a an obvious U-shape with the potential for short-cutting.  Timestamp 0724. 

Boring photo of the front of the Snow Camp control, approx 50-miles into the route.  Timestamp 1108. 

Siler City "Park n shoP" control -- the turn-around.  Bob walking toward the store's door and my steed leaning against the front wall.  Timestamp 1216.  Hmmn, over an hour since we had arrived at Snow Camp.  That suggest a headwind from Snow Camp to Siler City.  Also, it had gotten quite warm by the time we arrived at this control. 

"Artistic" view of Snow Camp for the afternoon control.  Timestamp 1333.  

I insisted that Bob "model" his PacTour kit that he wore for this ride.  I have been teasing him ever since he did his first PacTour whenever he wears some PacTour kit.  The tease is "there you go again, trying to intimidate me!"  Bob always guffaws.  Timestamp 1335 (i.e., photo taken at Snow Camp). 

 

Gotta' prove we rode the U-shaped finish routing.  Harris Teeter PM control.  Bob with his steed and mine hiding in the shade of the building.  Timestamp 1739. 

At the finish.  Timestamp 1757. 

 

This seems a reasonable place to record all the finishers of this pre-ride and the results on the scheduled day of the event: 

Region	Club	Type	Distance	Date	Finishers	DNF
NC: Raleigh	North Carolina Bicycle Club / 933045	ACPB	200	2021/09/11	11	1

Cert#	RUSA#	Name	Club / ACP Code	Time	Medal
797166	6628	B__, Robert D	Randonneurs USA / 933095	12:09
797167	5843	B__, Bob	Randonneurs USA / 940095	10:57	Y
797168	1015	B__, Chet	North Carolina Bicycle Club / 933045	08:31
797169	3095	J__, Wes	Randonneurs USA / 933095	06:53
797170	10866	L__, Jon Brady	Carolina Tarwheels / 933047	07:42
797171	xxxxx	ID redacted	rider to not be referenced	hh:mm
797172	621	M__, Byron	Randonneurs USA / 933095	12:09
797173	12981	N__, Marshall J	Randonneurs USA / 940095	07:42
797174	6218	S__, Martin	North Carolina Bicycle Club / 933045	10:57
797175	608	VDW, Cynthia F	Randonneurs USA / 910095	08:31	Y
797176	5392	W__, Jack	Randonneurs USA / 933095	09:43

 
Robert and Byron times are the result of deciding to stick with a particular well-known local randonneur that had a VERY difficult day (and ultimately decided to DNF).  The entire crew listed above in the official results waited in Alan's garage at the finish for those last three and were disappointed that the DNF rider had to DNF. 

 

I recall that everyone waited for Robert and Byron to retrieve said rider from several miles before the finish-line.  That rider may have been a bit embarrassed but he needn't have been; he had a lung infection and his breathing was quite labored that day.  Besides, that rider had led all of us locals, and all RUSA randos, on many aspects of randonneuring. 

 

That's my lame story for this ride.  I will be sticking to it. 
 

 

Aug-29-2021: Ponding Along

First, from my Excel log, notes on the route I did ride: 

 

• -> Honeycutt-Norwd-MVC-CP-Coley-CP-Panoramic-Norwd-Honeycutt -> 
• which is a modified version of this route, i.e., my "TT" - cadence route.  
• and some previous posts of rides on that route. 
• 0758 start  --  no one at TLC -> did my own thing 
• 45.0-miles, 3:03 in-motion, avg 14.7-mph in-motion 

 

I written, er, typed, quite a few times about rides on this route (see above), 

Or more correctly, variations of the route, 

So I'm going to limit this nearly-3-years-late post to the "ponding photos" taken. 

Timestamp 0903 -- note the absolutely calm mirror-like surface of the pond at the corner of Carpenter Pond + Coley roads.  [photo credit to me] 

Timestamp 0932 -- second pond on the ride (or at least the second one I bothered to stop and photograph).  I ought to crop out most of the grassy foreground and it detracts for the image, but I choose to go with the photo as originally snapped.  This pond on the west side of Coley Rd, just south of Carpenter Pond Rd. 

Timestamp 0938 -- the pond at the corner of Carpenter Pond and Olive Branch roads.  I should crop out much to the foreground detritus, but choose not to.  Due the interplay of the sunshine and shadows, it might be difficult to see for sure, but the pond's surface is calm and mirror-like. 

 

I didn't take any more photos during the remaining one-and-a-half hours of the ride. 

But I think I had captured the most interesting vistas along the route ridden this date. 

 

And whether rightly or wrongly, the above is my story, and I'll be sticking to it.