Spring and the Budding of the Clovis New Mexico Cycling Club

All Smiles

It's my last weekend in good ol' Clovis, so I thought that I had better post one more time before I go.

The last three weeks have been fun.  I dusted off the 'cross bike and started hitting the road.  It has felt good to spin after all of those cold winter running miles, and besides, heading back to Montana means two things:  Big Fish and Big Bike Rides.

So I thought it might be a good idea to get back on the saddle and start riding.  Here are pics of the Clovis cyclists I rode with today.

Starting out on Llano

Acqua e Sapone

Greg catching a break

I'm getting back to Montana just in time for my favorite local bicycle race,  The Rocky Mountain Roubaix.   This "spring classic"  takes place on the same day as the Paris Roubaix race in northern France.   Paris Roubaix is known for its foul weather and 27 sections of 'pave' or cobblestones.  Our Rocky Mountain race can have very ugly weather and has several sections of rough dirt road as a comparable challenge to France's pave.   It is the must race of the spring.  It attracts riders from all over the northwest and is talked about for months before and afterward. 

Okay, so now you know my motivation for getting back on the bike.   Yes, it mostly because I don't want to get my @ss handed to me by the boys I'll be racing with.   That said,  this year I will be racing with the Men's Masters A category.   This 40+ men's group is always stacked, but hopefully those aging hearts, lungs and legs will falter just enough so that I can hang with them.

Today was a typical spring Saturday in Clovis.  The sun was shining, it was warm outside, and the wind was blowing 30 mph out of the west.   Joy.

New acquaintance,  Carl,  had sent the email.   "Saturday ride to Melrose...3hrs...9am."   I replied,  "I'll be there, and I'll be bringing a new guy from the Trailer Park,  Danny."   Danny's a young gun in the Air Force, fresh off a 5 year tour in England.   I saw him ride out one WINDY afternoon this week on his bike and thought,  "he might be alright."   See, that's what you've got to do around here,  just get out and do it, wind or no wind.

Carl, AKA the Instigator

So we rolled out of the RV Park and headed east with the wind to our backs.   We FLEW to the meeting point and then turned around to begin a 30-mile slog into the wind.  JOY.   We started off easy to let every one's legs warm up and get used to the resistance that Mother Nature had given us.   Ugh!

We rolled for a few miles with Carl and I taking the front.   He and I are both used to many solo miles.   Carl is an Ironman and I, a Nomad.   Things didn't seem all that bad. 

After my pull (and a few photos)  I happened to look back...and I saw what looked to be a cyclist chasing, so I told the guys to soften it up a little and I turned to fetch him.  It was Greg, owner of Leslie-Gibbs Candy, and a regular rider to the Saturday ride, so I'm glad I turned around.   And he, too.   Greg had been chasing hard for a few miles, solo, and was cooked.   I spelled him and then we worked for about 15 minutes to get back to the group...hmm,  I don't know how much they slowed down for us.   But, ah, who cares.   I need the work.   I haven't been feeling very strong in the legs since Austin and I've got to get the lead out!

Finally together, we kept it a very sensible pace out to the base.  Nick turned for home and the rest of us forged on for Melrose, still about 20 miles west...and into the wind.  

We struggled.  I pulled...a lot.

We complained.   We joked.   We all hurt.   It was a good time (seriously).

Randy and Wayne turned for home several miles from Melrose, but still got in at least 40.   Danny and I got the green light to go on ahead, so I pushed it a little harder just to see how my legs would do with the resistance.   Man, is it gonna be a long season if they don't get a little stronger!

Finally, the remaining four of Carl, Danny, Kirk and myself, refueled at the truck stop and then bolted for home.   What took nearly 2 hours going out was about 45 minutes coming back.   Kirk and I led the charge, the wind to our backs.  It felt like we were flying, and we were.   We averaged about 26 mph, but there were a few times we were over 30.  Nice!

Back in Clovis I wished my compadres a good ride and a good day, and then it was off for home. 

58 miles.   Thanks boys!

3 Amigos on last week's ride