Southern Fried Cycling

Well it's been a while since I've last posted on FBR, but not for lack of activity. The last month and a half has been full of events. I finished up work in Billings, Montana and headed to the east coast. The forth of July was spent in a little State Park in Minnesota where I ran some trails along the Des Moines River. It was awesome to be in some of North America's last prairie grasslands, chocked full of fireflies (and mosquitoes).

Eventually, I made it to my next resting spot...North Carolina. We're sittin' just south of the Mason-Dixon line, in rural, Halifax County. And let me tell you, life here is a whole lot different.

First of all, it's hot. Second, it's humid. Put the two together and you've got a sauna. Seems I've traded the long, cool spring in Montana for one of the hottest summers on record, here in the south. In the two weeks we've been here, it's been 90 to 100+ and humid everyday, except for yesterday. Whew!

But that hasn't kept this crazy man from getting out there. See, for a rural area, there is quite a devout group of cyclist. So on the knowledge of a co-worker, I gave them a call...

This brings us to last Thursday and my first group ride. Sportin' the Jamis Supernova cyclocross bike and 25c tires, I roll up to the meeting point. Everyone is expecting me...? And in a few, we head out for their requisite 30 to 40 miler, after work ride.


It was on this ride that I met "the Preacher," "the Law" and several other characters. And let me tell you, this was a group of characters. The banter between them started as we rolled out and didn't stop. It was awesome to be able to sit in on their ride (and their conversations).

I hooked up with them again for an early Sunday morning ride to beat the expected 101 degree heat. The pics in this blog are of our group. One thing I have definitely learned in two rides is that these boys (and girl) can put the hammer down. See, it's nearly flat here, so they make up for it with some blistering pacelines. Sunday's ride had a protracted stretch that ranged from 26 to 30 mph. Good thing I had the Orbea for that one.

So, needless to say, cycling in this neck of the woods is hot! Mostly literally, but figuratively as well. Looks like I'm going to have some great rides here in the south.


Ciao.