OWLS finish May in good style

By Allan Edmonds

Tuesday 15 or so riders did "Long Russell" under the able leadership of Shelley Bradfield and Kathy Cummins. Out 46 to sail down and along Kerr Creek, up Mr. Gilead to 45, loop around Russell Road, with a last reconnoiter at Unversity School. Check the map. (Opens in new window.) One of the great things about having two leaders is that one can lead at the front while the other one watches at the rear for anyone struggling or having mechanical problems.

On Thursday some 17 OWLS did a familiar ride backwards, counterclockwise to Harrodsburg. Down Victor, Old 37, under 37, Strain Ridge toward home. See the map. (Opens in new window.) CE Taylor did his usual excellent job planning route, getting us organized, and shepherding the whole group along the road. We had a couple of new riders, which is usual for us. I think they were both a bit surprised at how fast we ended up going. But they did fine.
As might be expected some OWLS are getting faster as the season progresses. About half of us sailed along in a pace line once we got onto Old 37. There was a constant threat of rain, but not much more than that.

Some OWLS apparently thought they needed more than simple pedal power. (Click for larger image.)

Gathering for our last regroup for everyone at Ketcham Run Around. (Click for larger image.)

Finally on Saturday OWLS were part of the large group at Bryan Park for the regular club ride heading to Nashville, not the Hilly Hundred route because of the poor condition of Lanham Ridge. Rather we headed all the way out to Bean Blossom up and over Bear Wallow Hill and into Nashville. There were at least three groups, one breaking out to do a century ride led by Jim Schroeder. Another group did the main route pretty quickly, leaving promptly from the first meeting spot at Bean Blossom store. Finally a smaller group of 7 or 8 continued with the planned route and five of us even had a leisurely lunch in Nashville at the pizza shop on the route, as recommended by leader Mark Napier. In addition to Mark our lunch group included Joe Anderson, Ron Brown, Dan Fowler, and Allan Edmonds.

At Bryan Park before we left, Joe noticed that his left crank arm was loose after a bottom bracket replacement earlier in the week. Fortunately Mark had the necessary extra large Allen wrench in his multi-tool. Unfortunately it didn't have enough of a handle to get enough leverage on it to permanently solve the problem. But three re-tightenings was enough to finish the trip successfuly. Joe headed straight to the bike shop as we got back to town about 2 pm.

Although the weather report called for afternoon rain, the weather was actually excellent. Our slowest group averaged about 15.0 mph for the entire 55 mile route.