Twenty miles was a big deal ten years ago when I first started riding. As the miles pile up you start looking for new challenges. Longer distances, harder climbs in all types of conditions. The Winslow Death March was that route for me back in the day. It's not such a big deal anymore but it is still a great route. It is one of the classics here in NWA. I take great pleasure in introducing folks into the fantastic roads, beautiful landscapes and challenging routes here in Arkansas.
Last week we were totally spoiled. August in Arkansas is usually a total beat down with high humidity and scorching temps. The north wind decided to give us a break. 70's all week made for perfect riding conditions. I even started the ride with a base layer. Go figure.
Into the fog.
The great weather brought out solid numbers.
The sun finally breaks through.
Headed into another fog wall.
A great morning.
The bunch finally sits up at the turn to Winslow.
Blink and Winslow is gone.
There is a little kicker exiting Winslow on Devil's Den road.
.9 miles, 271 feet of gain.
Kudos to The Captain for snatching the KOM.
The next 12 miles is flat out Ozark goodness. It ends with a white knuckle descent into Devil's Den. The smiles & chatter in the bunch always let's me know when folks are having fun. I think I let out a yelp of my own dropping into the Den.
Rolling terrain that is more down than up.
With a group this large the pace got super hot.
Ozarkia.
After stopping in the park for water we climbed out of the Den. This climb is used in the Joe Martin Stage Race time trial. It is 2.5 miles with 694 feet of gain.
Can you....
say...
photobomb.
Gerald is on form. He even had flames coming out of his helmet.
What a way to spend 3 hours. Good times.
From here we smashed it back into Fayetteville. Average speed was over 20 for 64 miles. That's solid.
PCG and I both got off early Friday.
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." John Lubbock
All the pieces of the puzzle came together. It started with PCG getting inspired.
Carrots from farmers market.
Friends who had too much meat from a fishing trip in Alaska.
Egg plant from the Harris garden. Tomatoes "flown" in from Indiana.
Let's Eat! Paige named this dish Summer Harvest Stack. Eggplant was cooked to perfection.
Drizzling this cranberry sauce stuff she made.
Yum! Let's Eat! #spoiled
2 comments:
Nice use of the hashtag. Is that your first?
Ha! I think so. Will you please tell me again what exactly a hashtag is or does. I remember the definition being somewhat like when a male cyclist tries to explain why he shaves his legs.
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