Sunday morning at the Battleground Inn. After the late night, we roll out of bed at 0630, as ride registration is set for 0700 and the ride to start at 0800. The Dawn Patrol is presumably already on the road. A peek out the window shows damp drying streets and grey overcast. The temperature has apparently dropped about 20 degrees into the high 50's. Thank god for Lou Deeter's warning about the variability of Greensboro weather, as I've got an assortment of warm bike duds.
Down in the lobby, snag a quick muffin and start stuffing luggage and bikes in the van. Two bikes to display, one to ride and one to act as guard dog in the van. Checkout time is noon, so I should have time to return for a shower after the 24 mile ride before I have to check out. Mark and I settle up on the bill, and it's off to the Lewis Rec Center.
Dale is already there doing his impressario impression, running around setting stuff up and arranging. I roll up my show bikes, the '81 Marinoni and '79 Trek and set them out on the floor. And here I must humbly announce that I ended up with the 3rd and 4th place bikes in the entire show. Of course that reflects time of registration, not merit, but hey, I've got the tickets that say "3" and "4". I think I'll have them framed. I'd have been 1st, but Joe B-Z slid in ahead of me, with the two Drysdales. You have to watch us NJ boys, especially us lawyer types. Wayne Bingham is not riding, but is pulling an incredible number of magnificent bikes out of his van. He helps me out by promising to keep an eye on my two bikes as I get ready to ride.
Out in the parking lot, I'm checking the weather, and it's darn chilly. My CR wool jersey isn't quite enough. But, thanks to Jan Johnson, I've got a secret weapon. Out of the kit bag comes my Cinelli trainer, and I'm instantly wrapped in thick luscious soft warm wool. Thanks Jan. The De'Allesandro stuff is lovely to look at but it's dead serious riding gear, too.
We line up in the street, and Dale has the vintage guys move to the front. Today I'm riding the Major Nichols with it's new set of wheels, the first ride I've taken on tubulars in over 20 years. Thanks to Joe BZ for the hubs (Pellisier High flange, built with Arc en Ciels and Tufo S22 sew ups). Mark Agree is there with his Torpado, Aldo with his Bianchi, and several other folks I can't recall. The whistle sounds and off we go. The wind is biting, and Mark settles in tight in my draft, hoping for a few extra BTUs to radiate out from me. I try to not be too smug as I'm super comfy in my sweater.
This ride is more country than the prior trips and soon we're out in rolling farm fields. Soon enough the racer boys start streaming past us looking for the head of the field, but there's a fair number of vintage guys going with them Grant Peterson is prominent in the lead pack, as well as Curt Goodrich (I think). I hang for a bit, but soon get dropped on the hills. That's fine too, as I get to see many nice bikes passing me by. At the turn, I take the short loop and spin away, now mainly in solitude. The road is quite rough and I start to worry about the Nichols, as she is only recently assembled, but she holds together like a champ all the way. The only problems are some missed shifts due to my semi numb fingers and the rapidly staining white bar tape (why did I grab my old black gloves to ride on new white tape?). I stop a few times to check the map, sip some water and be at one with the world.
The long and short routes reunite, and for a few minutes I entertain hopes that I'll beat the fast riders back, but soon the lead pack comes roaring past. G. Peterson still hanging in. I suspect this cool damp weather is pie for the bay area boys. All too soon, I reach the Lewis center, having soloed in the last 5 miles or so, and the Cirque rides are done. As much fun as the swap and comraderie are, I think my favorite parts were the rides. Not only are there great bikes to see, but it's wonderful to ride with such experienced and polite riders. Potholes are instantly pointed out, turns, slow downs and stops are clearly announced, and everyone holds a beautiful straight line. It's the most relaxed I've been in a group ride since I can remember.
The Nichols goes into the van, it's back to the B'ground for a shower and a fast check out, and then off to the show and swap.
COMING NEXT: The last Cirque report, as I suffer Total Brain Lock at the show, trying to decide what to look at first.
Tom Adams, Shrewsbury NJ
------------------------------------------
STOP MORE SPAM with