This Week’s Rides – May 14-19
The weekend turned out to be better than it looked. Both days were exactly alike, overcast but with mild temps and only 30 seconds of mist! So third time’s a charm and Walt got his eastside ride in on Saturday after all. It was a fast one! The A team averaged 21 mph, and lots of folks were only a little slower and set PR’s! Thanks to Walt Matwijec for diligently planning, leading, and sweeping a great route!
We had a bit smaller turnout on Sunday with Mother’s Day events going on, but the roads were dry and everyone had a good ride. We had nice visitors on a tandem all the way from Alberta, Canada! Tim Trotter diligently served as ride leader – thanks, Tim!
This looks like a better week, and next weekend looks very good for a change! We’ll continue with the evening rides. If it becomes necessary to cancel either the Tuesday night or Thursday night ride, a message will be sent by the General List that afternoon. So be sure you have subscribed to the General List. (It does not happen automatically. You have to add yourself through the HBC website!).
Here’s the schedule for this week’s rides:
Tuesday, May 14 – 6:00 P.M. – Cool Springs Ride – Sharecare (formerly Healthways) parking lot, 701 Cool Springs Blvd. East – Each Tuesday evening during the Prime Season the HBC sponsors this ride from Sharecare/Healthways in Cool Springs. This is a 25-mile route all the way down the new extension of Carothers Blvd. to Long Lane with its challenging rollers, over the steep Gosey Hill climb to Peytonsville, and back by Trinity and North Chapel. A cutoff on Crowder is available to make for a 21-mile ride. A 30-mile route is also available when daylight allows.
Peter Cacchioli and Fredia Barry will lead these rides, with assistance from David Wood, Steve Saxton, and Jeff Sammons. This ride is for experienced moderate riders as well as racers. There is considerable traffic on some of the roads, and the ride is NOT for beginners. The racers and A riders will head out first and watch out for each other! Then our leaders will make sure the more moderate riders make it home. Most riders will regroup at the intersection of Long Lane and Gosey Hill Road. We want the racing teams to keep coming and training hard, but those who are not setting a time record are encouraged to regroup for a congenial ride!
Here are the cue sheets:
Tuesday Cool Springs Ride – Short option
Thursday, May 16 – 6:00 P.M. – Hunters Bend Ride – Hunters Bend Elem. School, 2121 Fieldstone Pkwy., Franklin – The Thursday night ride will start at its traditional location at Hunters Bend. Fredia Barry, assisted by Scott Thurston and others, will lead the ride. The Trace, McCrory, and Waddell Hollow routes are all available from this location. As with the Tuesday night ride, this ride is suitable for experienced cyclists at all levels, from our racing teams to more casual riders, but it is NOT for novices. Here are the cue sheets for the various routes:
Saturday, May 18 – 9:00 A.M. – Hillsboro Elementary School, 5412 Pinewood Rd. in Leipers Fork – Paul’s Pre-Birthday Blast! – Paul Aebischer is one of our strongest and most dependable riders, and for Saturday he has put together many of his favorite roads for a birthday celebration! Now, Paul’s birthday isn’t until Sunday, so we’ll let him ride with Tiffany and the fast guys on Sunday after he leads us on his route on Saturday! It’s a great course down into scenic Maury County. The Long route is 56 miles, essentially going up the popular Garrison ascent, then down Greenbriar to South Lick, up Doug Thompson, rolling along the Old Trace to Hwy. 7, then up and down Fly Rd. to Santa Fe, up and down Water Valley, up Jenkins to Fields Hollow, then Bass Alderson to Leipers Creek, Hwy. 7, up Raleigh Elam to Shouse, then Hwy. 7 to Hill Town, and back in via Snow Creek and Sulphur Springs. Here’s the cue sheet:
Long route – Paul’s Pre-Birthday Ride – GPS
The Short route of 40 miles is similar but cuts off the Fly-Water Valley-Bass Alderson loop and goes straight to Raleigh Elam, Shouse and back in by Snow Creek, Sulphur Springs, and Leipers Creek. Here’s the cue sheet:
Short route – Paul’s Pre-Birthday Ride – GPS
Sunday, May 19 – 9:00 A.M. – Pancake Ride – Hunters Bend Elementary School, 2121 Fieldstone Pkwy., Franklin – The Club’s most classic event is the regular Sunday Pancake Ride from Fieldstone Farms over to Leipers Fork. Jim Mitchell, who is relatively new to the area but a loyal HBC member and super-strong rider, will lead this week’s ride and ensure that all riders stay on course and return safely. Riders take the rolling course to the end of Boyd Mill Pike and then make the climb up Parker Branch. The direct route then descends to Leipers Fork for a rest stop and heads back for a total of 28 miles. Many riders will add extra miles from Parker Branch or the rest stop, enjoying the scenic roads south and west of Leipers Fork; the full route for these long riders is usually about 50 miles.
This is not called the Pancake Ride because it is flat or easy, but because you can enjoy some tasty treats at Leipers Fork! While new riders are encouraged to participate, the route is moderately hilly and is inappropriate for rank beginners.
We’re supposed to have some of the year’s most pleasant weather right now, so come out and ride!
Larry Lewis, HBC Ride Chair
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