2003 Tour de Peninsula

We had a really big turnout for this ride, so it was alot of fun. One good reason to do this ride is the level of support provided. Orange cones are set up forming a bike lane for the entire ride on the roads, with people at intersections either stopping traffic or guiding the flow. There is a small section on a bike trail, which normally is a bad idea, but this seemed to be closed to the public, so we didn't have to worry about oncoming bikes and had more room to pass slower riders.

Val, Kevin, Myself, Paige, Gregg, Dino, Amy, Polly, Howard, Ming, Paul, (not pictured: Dave, Hilario, Michelle)

One of the benefits of our Wheely Cool jerseys is that we were able to find each other among the crowds very easily. We all found each other at the start line, and while we were riding, it was clear where everyone was. This is a very popular ride and the crowds were large, with riders of all ages and varying pace. Even within or group the paces varied. But we were able to stop at rest stops and regroup quickly with the help of the jerseys.

With our large group we could talk to each other and speed up, slow down whatever we wanted and it seemed like we always stuck together to a degree so that nobody felt isolated. I think that made for a very enjoyable ride. We weren't trying to prove anything by riding fast or beat anyone. Except for one guy....

As we were climbing one of the large hills of the ride, nicknamed "Mount NeverRest" we were casually pedaling up it, but then along zoomed a guy in a Polka Dot Jersey and I said "Hey it's king of the mountain!" and Kevin, Dino and I knew exactly that there was no way this guy was going to zoom to the top of the hill without a challenge from us. So we weaved around the poor people cranking up the hill and caught up with polka dot guy. I don't exactly remember if we passed him or not, but he wasn't going all that fast, and it really wasn't too safe to be riding fast among all these people anyways. I'm pretty sure he wasn't king of the mountain, though.

Other than that, it was a casual ride. Dave got his usual two flats. There was a crash on the downhill section and ambulance was on the scene. I think I recall the same thing in the same spot as last year. It's supposed to be a fun ride!

Afterwards, we had a great barbeque at Paige and Dave's house, a suitable end to a great morning.