1-16-98
The Granite Mountain Loop

This was the first road ride for the year and the weather was not cold, but it wasn't as warm as cyclist would like it. We were to meet at the Granite Creek Park around 10:00 a.m. and my biggest concern was finding the place. I've lived in Chino Valley for almost nineteen years and I think I've been to that park maybe twice.

I got up that morning and figured I have plenty of time to get ready and get to the starting place. Like most of you I was cutting it rather close. I didn't have to speed or break any moving violations, but there was a horse trailer in front of me and I couldn't get around it. Sure enough I was running late. I missed my turn near the park and got lost. I drove around and was able to get to the parking lot where everybody was ready to go. I still had to put my front wheel on and get my cycling shoes on, check my air pressure, the helmet, water bottles . . .  I was running late!

We had a nice group, normally there's three or maybe four. Today there were nine and three folks were from Cottonwood. The ride got started with no incidents and we were well on our way. It felt good to be back on the saddle again. We rode through town and once we arrived to the school on Williamson Valley Road and Iron Springs Road, we regrouped and pressed on the down hill heading toward Chino Valley. That part of the ride is always a rush. The speeds get up to thirty plus! One of the guys, Randy, got a flat at that point. What's a ride without a flat anyway? I just figured "better him than me." The ride leader, Tim, stayed back with him and they caught up with us on the Chino Valley cut off, where we regrouped.

Once we got to the highway and were on our way into Prescott, the breeze started up. It always blows into your face when your starting to get tired, and I was. I started to drop back on account that I'm still out of shape and trying to keep up was starting to get to me. I was ten feet behind, than thirty and after a while I was about half a mile behind. We regrouped one more time by Watson Lake (the group was waiting on me) and the wind was now gusting enough to slow even the best rider.

I had to get some energy to complete the ride. I had a banana in my jersey pocket, so I went for it. In the process I dropped my wallet so I had to go back for it. This gave me a chance to recover a little bit more. I just hate the feeling of 'bonking' and once it starts the ride is NOT enjoyable.  Randy came back to see if I was all right.

Just as we were about a quarter mile from our turn into Prescott, one of the other riders, Sean, had a flat. Again it wasn't I. I remember a time when there wasn't a ride I didn't go on that I didn't get a flat. I even got a flat on my wind trainer! That's another story.
We made it back to the starting point and we all decided to get something to eat, the place was Blimpie Subs & Salads, where the conversation went from cycling to investing, trading stocks and bonds and ended with upgrading computers and playing computer games.
Till next time, ride hard and don't bonk, avoid flats and remember, the wind doesn't blow, it sucks!
Nacho