(Well, this is really just a test.)

Last night was a genuine saunter - and at the back end, as with last week, we shortened things just a tad. As I was going to the ride I noticed the wind was from the NOrth, and the "good" ride to the north is to Alto Vineyards... but that's usually something we do further into the season with a longer day and more miles under the wheels... so I figured to plan pre-emptively to skip the Last Incredible Overpass.
Now, when I get really good at this I'll remember to announce the possiblity at the beginning of the ride ;)

A lovely out and back last night; west on Kirby until just past Bondville Road. It's a really good idea when you've got a wiiide range of riders. Those of us at the back could turn around when we wanted to - which didn't have anything to do with sundown or speed, but just that we'd gone far enough into the wind, thank you, and it was time to turn around. We did about 12 miles, about 11 mph. Other people did more.

May 19 - Success!

To tolono and back; averaged about 10 mph. Everybody made it all the way :)
Learning slowly: stop and check!! Okay, I checked tyres at the beginning; no mush. Still, that back rider was working awfully harde... but I waited 'til Tolono to look and see that, indeed, those brake pads were awfully snug... Pick up bike. Spin wheel. Watch it stop.
It took some tools and knowledge but we got at least another mm or two of clearance - a much easier ride back.
All it takes is picking up the wheel and spinning. Do it!!!

(Um, yes, I need to do it myself, too.)

St. Joseph... too far?

... Today the wind was a peppy 12 mph or so from the North. This is the toughest direction to deal with because the route options are limited. St. Joe is the usual choice - but it's 22 miles, and it means heading straight out Windsor Road until you can't go any further, and there's not *really* a good breaking point ... except we should have pulled in where we sometimes do anyway. There were 22 in the group and I started out in front ... by the time I dropped to the back the newest couple had already turned around and gone back :( (Our speed, for the record, was roughly 10.5 mph to their 9... so, alas, the gap was widening.)
Lesson learned: I'll have somebody else start (tho' that carries the risk that people go faster), and if it's St. Joe will make sure folks know that the stopping point is well over halfway to the halfway point.
Good news is that the other new folks had a grand time; a group broke off for HOmer Lake and another group did the 25 mile version but came back faster. Weather was gorgeous - *very* sunny (SPF 40 :)) and the wind below the predicted bluster.
I am hoping the folks who went back will come back to, perhaps, the shorter Tuesday ride and try again...

I had the camera but it simply wasn't a day of photos. We rode to TOlono and back - 19 miles - in a WNW wind. This meant that those N miles coming back weren't easier than the S miels going out, but I think that worked out okay 'cause we needed the break going out.
About 18 riders at the start; about 8 of 'em went to Mahomet. I think Ernie was the only soul who took off for the 24 mile route... I didn't realize *everybody* was coming straight back. Lesson: do the "show of hands" for who's going where...

Routes from meadowbrook, annotated.


The first is http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315763. - it's a "Philo-SIdney" route. Goes by nice horse farms; the mile into Philo is a bit busy so you can go one more mile and then turn left (East?). There's a Casey's in each town.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315819 is an eastbound route to St. Joseph, home of the GOlden Mine restaurant (and a Daairy Queen near the interestate). I may be one block too far SOuth in St. oe for the Golden Mine, but I don't think so.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315834 will take you through Tolono. This particular route takes you past the Freedom Station in Tolono, tho' you ccan also continue on 1200 (First STreet) South another mile and cutting across town on the South end. Coming North on 900 (Duncan Road), there is at the corner of ... hmmm... 1000? I think... on the right hand side, there's a water pump in the corner of a field which a cyclist's relation is pleased to let us use.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315834 is in the same direction but continues to take in the town of Sadorus; when you turn NOrth you'll go by a baseball park on the right (just after crossing the train tracks) that has bathrooms or something close to it. (If I remember right, the water from the fountain is nasty, though.)

Routes from meadowbrook, annotated.


The first is http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315763. - it's a "Philo-SIdney" route. Goes by nice horse farms; the mile into Philo is a bit busy so you can go one more mile and then turn left (East?). There's a Casey's in each town.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315819 is an eastbound route to St. Joseph, home of the GOlden Mine restaurant (and a Daairy Queen near the interestate). I may be one block too far SOuth in St. oe for the Golden Mine, but I don't think so.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315834 will take you through Tolono. This particular route takes you past the Freedom Station in Tolono, tho' you ccan also continue on 1200 (First STreet) South another mile and cutting across town on the South end. Coming North on 900 (Duncan Road), there is at the corner of ... hmmm... 1000? I think... on the right hand side, there's a water pump in the corner of a field which a cyclist's relation is pleased to let us use.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=315834 is in the same direction but continues to take in the town of Sadorus; when you turn NOrth you'll go by a baseball park on the right (just after crossing the train tracks) that has bathrooms or something close to it. (If I remember right, the water from the fountain is nasty, though.)