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.

Jul-26

Jul-26:

BJP: Leesville Rd U-turn; 25.4 miles; est 988 ft climbed ---> effort index = 34; 1hrs, 35min; 16.0 mph avg pace.

1st Qt. tot: 20 rides; 755.3 m.; 47 hrs, 31 min; 15.9 mph.
2nd Qt. tot: 43 rides; 2124.3 m.; 134 hrs, 59 min; 15.7 mph.
Jul tot: 16 rides; 732.2 m.; 45 hrs, 3 min; 16.2 mph.
YTD: 79 rides; 3611.8 m.; 227 hrs, 34 min; 15.9 mph.

Rolling 12-mos.: 121 rides; 5675.4 m.; 353 hrs, 36 min; 16.1 mph.

A short, real recovery ride. Avg was 14.8 @ turn-around ---> avg'd better than 17 mph on the way back. Made myself "work" up MVC on the way back; on the out, rode easy everywhere.

On Jul-26-2008, I rode 66.9 miles at the "Cup 'n Cone" at an avg pace of 16.6 mph. At the time, it was my fastest ever pace for a 100+k ride.

To maintain the 12-mos. rolling total miles thru the end of July, I need to ride an additional 137 miles by the end of the month. Doesn't seem likely.

Today, handed my right shoe to GaryS of TLC_4_Bikes, to try to dremel one the screws holding the cleat on my right shoe. I need to adjust the cleat position slightly. The "hot-foot" and associated pain yesterday was near excruciating. I could still feel the pain ready to re-emerge big-time during the easy ride this morning, and as I sit at the computer typing this, I can feel residual sensations in the right foot.

Jul-25: Moriah-Mt.Harmony-Berea Recon Mission

Jul-25:

PUE: Butner-Moriah-Mt.Harmony-Berea-Culbreth-Hester-Creedmoor-DoveRd; w/ Lt. Dave, Mallet, Iva, LeeD . + . Norris, BobH for 18 miles mid-ride . + . Barry for ~ 15 initial miles . + . Snapper, Smitty for ~ 21 miles ; 79.8 miles; est 3511 ft climbed ---> effort index = 115; 4hrs, 51min; 16.4 mph avg pace.

1st Qt. tot: 20 rides; 755.3 m.; 47 hrs, 31 min; 15.9 mph.
2nd Qt. tot: 43 rides; 2124.3 m.; 134 hrs, 59 min; 15.7 mph.
Jul tot: 15 rides; 706.8 m.; 43 hrs, 26 min; 16.2 mph.
YTD: 78 rides; 3586.4 m.; 225 hrs, 56 min; 15.9 mph.

Rolling 12-mos.: 121 rides; 5716.9 m.; 356 hrs, 2 min; 16.1 mph.

Great ride early, then it got hot, and some of us we a-hurten'.

Recon successful.
Moriah gas station was checked out - more or less okay.
Gas station @ US-158 & JimLattaRd checked out - more or less okay.
Gas station and another convenience store in Berea checked - both very good.

Some riders, e.g., those that are planning to ride short when the leader is going long, need to learn to print and bring the appropriate cue sheet. You may just get abandoned next time.

Arriving in time for the group to start on time would also be welcome.
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I'm too tired too be entertaining. The early roads and scenery were very nice. Then it got hot. The roads were still nice but no one was noticing the scenery. Then it got hotter.

Also, I was averaging 16.0 + when I topped the "Range Wall" and 16.9 + mph at the 61+ mile mark. Then a few hills, a right "hot-foot" issue, fatigue, and wanting to be able to walk the rest of the weekend led to the data as reported above.

However, it is noted that Iva is very strong. Also Lee. Also the Mallet. LT. struggled near the end, and so did I. No comments on the rest -- see above "list of participants" to understand why.

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Received the photo to the right on Monday morning, Jul-27. It is Snapper atop one of the self-propelled guns along Range and / or Roberts Chapel roads.

Jul-24: new rear tube

Jul-24:

BJP-back lot: flat sections of Pleasant Union Ch Rd, Norwood Rd, MVC Rd; 9.6 miles; est 430 ft climbed ---> effort index = 13; 0hrs, 34min; 16.7 mph.

1st Qt. tot: 20 rides; 755.3 m.; 47 hrs, 31 min; 15.9 mph.
2nd Qt. tot: 43 rides; 2124.3 m.; 134 hrs, 59 min; 15.7 mph.
Jul tot: 14 rides; 627.0 m.; 38 hrs, 35 min; 16.2 mph.
YTD: 77 rides; 3506.6 m.; 221 hrs, 5 min; 15.9 mph.

Rolling 12-mos.: 120 rides; 5637.1 m.; 351 hrs, 11 min; 16.1 mph.

Changed the rear tire tube. Cleaned chain, etc..

Quick ride to check everything out.

Jul-23: Spongy rear tyre

Jul-23: Spongy rear tyre, OR, Saddle Time while waiting for car repair

Hi-Tec Car Care: Lynn-Atlantic-Rainwater-Shellnut-Thorpshire-Neuse-Honeycutt-Durant-Brassfield-Hardee-PT/Linley/Hardee loop-PT/Bingham/Cedar loop-PT to the bottom-U turn-PT-Norwood-BJP-Norwood-SixForks-Durant-Honeycutt-Neuse-Thorpshire-Shellnut-Rainwater-Atlantic-Lynn; 39.5 miles; est 1940 ft climbed ---> effort index = 58; 2hrs, 34min;15.3 mph.

1st Qt. tot: 20 rides; 755.3 m.; 47 hrs, 31 min; 15.9 mph.
2nd Qt. tot: 43 rides; 2124.3 m.; 134 hrs, 59 min; 15.7 mph.
Jul tot: 13 rides; 617.4 m.; 38 hrs, 1 min; 16.2 mph.
YTD: 76 rides; 3497.0 m.; 220 hrs, 31 min; 15.9 mph. 

Rolling 12-mos.: 120 rides; 5657.1 m.; 352 hrs, 22 min; 16.1 mph. 

My intended fast July has been sabotagued by a rear tube going spongy the last two or three rides. That's my story . & . I'm sticking to it.

This ride was sorta' hill / cadence training. Became "just replenish the water and ride back to Hi-Tec and change the tube later" training.

Jul-22: "hill / cadence" training

Jul-22:

BJP back-lot: PUCh-Norwood-PossumTrack-RavenRidge-Brassfield-DeerTrail-Honeycutt-Brassfield-Hardee-Lindley-PT to Hardee-Bingham/Cedar-PT to the bottom-PT to the top-Norwood-PUCh; 23.8 miles; est 1311 ft climbed ---> effort = 36; 1hrs, 32min; 15.4 mph avg pace.

1st Qt. tot: 20 rides; 755.3 m.; 47 hrs, 31 min; 15.9 mph.
2nd Qt. tot: 43 rides; 2124.3 m.; 134 hrs, 59 min; 15.7 mph.
Jul tot: 12 rides; 577.9 m.; 35 hrs, 27 min; 16.3 mph. (adjusted the total time a bit)
YTD: 75 rides; 3457.5 m.; 217 hrs, 57 min; 15.9 mph. (adjusted the total time a bit)

Rolling 12-mos.: 119 rides; 5617.6 m.; 349 hrs, 53 min; 16.1 mph.

I found myself "soft-pedalling" up Norwood on the first UP of the ride. Hey, dummy! This is supposed to be "hill / cadence training," not "easy touring training."

I think I have been BAD about HOW I've been pedalling UPs for a couple weeks. The point is to re-train the legs and the BRAIN to keep the cadence higher. Eventually, the legs and brain did a bit better.

I doubt it will make much, if any, difference on my UP speed.

Jul-19: Recovery (?) and helping out

Jul-19:

PUE: Coley-L'villeU-U again at OliveBranch-DocN-Baptist-Kemp-Virgil-Coley-BJP-Norwood to Leesville-U turn; a stiffish NNW breeze; 73.0 miles; est 2741 ft climbed ---> effort = 100; 4hrs, 45min; 15.3 mph avg pace.

1st Qt. tot: 20 rides; 755.3 m.; 47 hrs, 31 min; 15.9 mph.
2nd Qt. tot: 43 rides; 2124.3 m.; 134 hrs, 59 min; 15.7 mph.
Jul tot: 11 rides; 554.1 m.; 33 hrs, 53 min; 16.3 mph.
YTD: 74 rides; 3433.7 m.; 216 hrs, 23 min; 15.9 mph.

Rolling 12-mos.: 118 rides; 5593.8 m.; 348 hrs, 21 min; 16.1 mph.

73 miles, and the rolling 12-mos total miles went down! --Why / How ?! -- because last year on Jul-19, I did my first ride to Mt. Tirzah.

Tired from yesterday. Started slow and stayed pretty slow, but when I stopped in BJP @ 61.4 miles to refill my water bottles, I was averaging 15.6 mph. A decent avg pace was within reach.

However, as I filled my bottles, I heard this woman, who was solo, calling a friend to drive up from Cary to collect her because her saddle was "messed up". I took a look -- the saddle was twisted sideways. "Got any tools?" I asked. "No, I'm just a beginner" responded the woman.

I got my allen wrenches and straightened the saddle. The woman told me she had just started riding with clipless pedals and had fallen when whe didn't click in correctly. Then she asked if I could fix the "horn" on the right side of her handlebar -- it had twisted out of proper position when she and the bike had fallen -- a few hammer blows with my fist and, viola, fixed.

I rode with Polly across PUCh Rd and Norwood to Leesville Rd. In 7 miles, my avg pace dropped to 15.2 mph.

Then I rode back to PUE, and called it a day.