STUCK IN 217!!

YES!! STUCK IN 217 so i guess that mean's its spring in central IL and it's time to ride!! Who would of guessed i could lead a group of new riders out on a sat morning@ 35 degree's out?? With a north wind of about 22mph! We meet at Panera bread on wabash had coffee and bagels.

As we sat across from each other everyone eye's going back and forth on each other are we really doing this?? Not much was said have to admit i was thinking do i really want to take them out and try this? or Should i say HEY THANKS FOR COMING OUT NOW LET'S GO HOME? It's to cold!

Then coach Mitch pulled up on his bike as he just rode in from CHATHAM, and i am saying to myself it's GO TIME! Mitch walks in and sez wow! really didn't expect to see anyone here. What was he thinking ?? Look around Mitch these are hockey people better yet! HOCKEY MOM'S!! There used to getting up early on weekends and freezing their ASS OFF!

So we exit Panera for our bike Mitch sez lets go out Koke Mill instead of riding Wabash trail! This way we will ride right into a strong North Wind! I am thinking coach Mitch are you trying to kill the newbie's? I sd okay follow me i will go the back way to get on koke mill once we turned on to Koke mill i felt it!! it was like standing in the ICE BOX ICE ARENA in South Bend only there was a stong fan blowing on you!

We got in a line and my thoughts were head down and go!! Don't look back don't look back they will follow. Don't give them a chance to say hey lets try another day! After about mile in i hear on your left to your left i am thinking when did BEYONCE join us but no it was Beth as she passing me she looks over and sez i need to pass you once so she took the lead which was very fitting since she had a yellow Live Strong jersey on.

So i thought okay turn around take a look do we still have everybody? What a thing of beauty 6 rider's in a line head down fighting the wind.I was impressed 1st ride out 35 out 22mph wind and these rider's look like there in stage 7 of Tour De France!

At this time i need to stop and call Hannah and tell her she was getting picked up to go sell Girl Scout cookie's. I hang up with leaving her a message and the little red light goes off on the Blackberry! I see it's John Flahive responding to the email about our ride this morning, I know John your in Tampa!! I am freezing my ass off but yes i will open your email to see what you have to say.All it sez I AM RUNNING ON THE BEACH!!! Nice John hope you get salt in your mouth!

As i get back on the bike to catch the group i pass Dodie and Brenda she yells out! is this out and back flat? No Brenda remember this is coach Mitch's idea of Spring Break north winds, 35 out and hill's deal with it!

So now back upfront i catch Jeff and Mitch i say were about 5 out he goes perfect at the road we should be 5 and we will turn around! As the group came upon the turn around i could see the happiness in everyone eye's! But i don't think its was about going back with the wind at our back, the happiness i could see was WOW I CAN DO THIS!

On the way back i was thinking wow #1 star goes to Walker Nelson doing the ride on a soft tail mtn bike, i am like damm that good but what was i thinking Walker is a goalie they feel no pain!

#2 star would go to his mom Trudy she was riding a hardtail cross bike! The only thing i have skinny is my bike tire's on my road bike Who Knows should i breakout my fat tire bike would the training be better?? Sure didn't slow the Nelson"s down. Thinking no 1 fat tire around my stomach is enough to deal with! I will stay skinny even if it's just on my road bike!!

We pull into Panera bread we jump off the bikes and there were smiles all the way around!!

GREAT RIDE TEAM!! See ya Tues nite @ the park please everyone drive slow we will wait if your running behind!!