Long Lost Friends Reunited... And It Made My Ass Sore

Finally after a good solid month plus a few days of not being on a bike of any kind I was able to get out last night to join the group ride from The Bike Way.


From the looks of the bikes I was thinking that they take their group rides serious around here, all around me were sub 16 lbs carbon fiber speed machines. The first group ride of the season is always a little sketchy not knowing if you put in enough miles over the winter, add to that a month long hiatus and a new group of people... made for an interesting few minutes until we got going.


I have to admit that matte black Venge was looking pretty sweet, figured I should snap a picture of it while we were all standing still... might not see it again all night except off in the distance.


There were a couple of Langsters in the group as well, hadn't seen this bike up close before now but it was pretty sweet looking. Bringing a single speed road bike on the first group ride of the year is always risky unless you've been keeping your miles up all year or you're some kind of super stud.


There was actually a really good turn out, probably 15-20 riders so we split into two groups, those that don't feel like it's been a ride until they puke, pass out or both and those who prefer to keep lunch right where it's at... I opted for the non-bulimic ride option.


I have no clue where exactly we were riding as I had no idea that there were bike paths in this area let alone ever been on them but for a slacker ride the pace was pretty quick, I'd hate to see what speed the other group was pushing.


Where ever it was that we rode, we paid homage to Shel Silverstein.

"There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends."

I'm not sure about all that peppermint wind and moon-bird jazz he's talking about but we rode until the sun went crimson and the side walk was no more... and then like any logical person we turned around and went back the way we came. Swung by the local Hy-Vee to pick up some post ride recovery drink in my favorite flavor, beer. Cheer and hope you got out and did whatever it is you do in the great out of doors when it's nice out.