October 2003 – Tandem Ride Recap – By Captain Jack Powell 
 

Hi Teams,

There were 8 teams at Eno Park for Sunday's rally, 10/26/03. Thanks to Neill Ross for spear heading the rally and providing the queue sheets. (And HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALSO!)

It was a clean start and fun ride up to the Hurdle Mills store. The leaves have started changing colors and it looked and felt like a fall day. Everyone was riding strong and able to hold the pace line and the group rode in together to the store break. The planned 18 mile bonus loop to Union Ch was deleted, because a TV monitor at the store indicated rain was coming our way. Thus we all blasted off for the Eno Park in an attempt to beat the rain. The route back had a couple more hill than the out going stage and that to a degree cause a split in the group. The group I was riding in had a lot of fun working together taking hard pulls on the front, just for the fun of going fast. We also desired to bead the rain, but that did no happen. Our best effort was not successful and everyone got wet before getting to their auto. But it was a warm rain and no one really complained. I believe everyone had a good enjoyable ride. The route was 40 miles of nice scenic country roads all the way, without urban sprawl, with only a farm house here and there and a couple country stores. Truly the kind of roads I personally love to ride. Look for Neill to lead it again next year in celebration of his birthday.

Everyone returned to the parking lot safely and there were no brake down or flats, that make a good day in it self. 

At the post luncheon, there was some talk of trying to plan one more rally before Thanksgiving or before the end of the year. Look for info later in a week or two. Does anyone have a desire to organize the next rally or a favorite location for the start?

Post ride activity:

After getting home I spent an hour cleaning up our old Green Tractor (Santana Sovereign) and them put it in the barn till another day. All for the love of a bike and Smith's rear wheel (I borrowed a wheel from Smith as mine got injured in a deep pot hole).

Oh, by the way Smith: After fighting many miss shifts at TWT, I had a long talk with your rear wheel while trying to adjust my rear derailleur last week to accommodate the wheels dish error. We had another long talk again today while I was cleaning the road crud off it and I thanked it for being true and taking all the punishment I could give. Then, I reminded it about who takes it out for a spin, even if it is rainy, and who wipes it clean regularly, instead of it accumulating dust in your garage. It responded to thanked me dearly for the spinning I gave it and it promised me that it would roll even faster next time out !!!

See ya on tha road,

Team John Deere

Capt Jack