It's never a bad day when you ride! Angel Garcia drew a good crowd for this charity ride in west/central Jersey, which featured a vintage ride class for the first time this year. There were 4 CR members (Ray H, Mike Schmidt, Angel and me), and I saw about 10-15 vintage or semi vintage steel bikes. Metheny House is a school for disabled/handicapped children, and it was heartwarming seeing the students lining up in their rolling chairs for the start of their one mile excursion. At 0900 sharp we saddled up and rolled out.
Angel G. had said that the route did have some climbing, but in his opinion a double ring bike should be fine. Having some experience regarding the reliability of the evaluations of another about the amount of climbing on a route, I came prepared with the '49 Ephgrave which has the TA Touriste cranks sporting a 26 tooth granny, plus walkable riding shoes if the route proved especially formidable. As I expected, Iron Legs Angel had failed to account for the fact that he rides in this terrain all the time, whereas I was coming from the coastal flatlands. I used the granny three times on the longest climbs, but never had to get off and walk, so I claim Victory!
I had told myself that it was still early season, there could be some tough climbing on this route so be sure to take it easy today. Unfortunately a seductive looking pack zoomed past early in the ride, and I jumped on even though the pace was just a bit fast, leaving behind the rest of the CR Brethren (temporarily, I thought, but I didn't realize that the Dastardly A.G. would lead them on a separate short cut). There was one real cutie on a lugged Pinarello---. I hung on with this group for about 25 miles, seeing them stretch away from me on the climbs, but the long wheelbased Ephgrave always caught them with ease as I'd hurtle down the other side of the hills, arcing turns that everyone else seemed to sit up and brake through. But finally the third big climb at mile 27 blew all my gaskets, and I had to twiddle up in the 26x22 (never had to use the lowest gear!), watching Ms. Pinarello and the rest disappear out of my life. But once over the last climb, I drew strength from being near the end, joined up with a group including a later Italian Masi 3v, and finished in triumph. A great ride and a great cause. Thanks for inviting us, Angel.
So now Spring training is complete, the show bikes are shined up and I'm raring to go!Greensboro, here we come!
Tom (Microtel) Adams, Shrewsbury NJ
Mike Schmidt <mdschmidt@patmedia.net> wrote:
It was not the best of days, 50 degrees, cloudy, windy with a threat of rain. Three CR listmembers came to support of fellow CR Listmember, A ngel Garcia who is on the planning committee for this annual fundraiser for Metheny School and Hospital. The vintage bike ride was a 32 miler th at rode through fantastic scenic horse country of western New Jersey.
A few non CR listmembers brought some vintage rides and were interested to learn about our little group. Tom Adams on his Ephgrave, Ray Homis ki rode a Bob Jackson, Mike Schmidt on a Masi 3V, and Angel Garcia on a Dav e Moulton made the best of the chilly weather in this pre-cirque tune up ri de. During the early part of the ride, Ray flatted his front tire so the CR guys waited til Ray was ready to roll again. The rest of the v intage ride group took off. Since this was Angel's turf, we decided t o change the ride a little bit once Ray was ready to go. (Hint: pictu re the AARP Cycling team with 3 guys over 50 in mid April riding 52/42 rings with 13-21 freewheels facing a few good climbs) Since no one objected, we saw some beautiful estates and horses as we meandered thro ugh the New Jersey countryside. The day's conversation pretty much ce ntered on the upcoming trip to cirque, who was going to win the Confente, A ngel's upcoming move to Verona Italy and if we had enough bail money for Pe rgolizzi. Eventually, we rejoined the route and Angel informed us tha t we ducked only one of three climbs.
The last climb never seemed to want to end but eventually it did and we made it back to Peapack-Gladstone train station.
Mike Schmidt
New York, NY
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