The Faithful gathered in the Gloom for their #dailydownpainment.  

The Pax 

Ben Franklin (War Baby, QIC)

El Deuce

WarDaddy (War Daddy)

Moniteur

Groupon

Pomfret

Shamrock

Aaron Christenson (F3 name unknown)

The Thang

Approx. 18.5 mile ride from and back to gravel lot

Right on Queens Rd West

Right on Selwyn

Left on Colony

Right on Carmel

Right on Pineville-Matthews

Right on Johnston (Park)

Right on Selwyn

Left on Queen Rd West

Left on East Blvd

COT                                                                                                            

Moleskin

This was a new route for the group and provided a good variation of a few hills and flats to make you work and open it up a bit. 

The group got splintered early as YHC, El Deuce and WarDaddy pushed the pace at the front of the group heading down Colony and we seemed to be split into several groups by the turn onto Carmel.  As Bootleg aptly dubbed it last week, F3Gears/Rabbit was in full effect again today, as the lead group just kept cranking without looking back.  My computer had my average speed at around 19.6 MPH, though WarDaddy’s had it at around 18.9 MPH.  Either way, I am smoked and the pace felt pretty fast to me – I had planned to go out hard this morning and this ride did not disappoint.  TClaps to El Deuce and WarDaddy for setting that aggressive pace and hammering all the way through – those brothers are strong riders. 

We had a bit of a scare as Aaron (riding with Groupon and Pomfret) went down after rubbing wheels with Pomfret (I think) coming up Park Rd.  Apparently he went down pretty hard on the curb, broke his helmet in several places and took several scrapes and bumps in the process.  Aaron seemed alright, though slightly disoriented, at COT and we all hope he recovers well from the fall – this was a great reminder of why wearing a helmet and emphasizing safety on the road at all times is so important.

Great to see the depth of strength this group brings every week – no matter who shows up, the Pax is always pushing the pace and getting faster and stronger.  There should be some strong bike splits at Latta on June 9.

Brick workout still on for Sunday at 6:30 AM – meeting place TBD.  My legs may need a break until then…between F3Gears Tuesday and today, and the punishment inflicted by SwampFox at F3Ranger yesterday, YHC is practically limping.  And it feels good.

Ben Franklin