Breakneck 100km randonneur ride 8.10.2021

For this month's metric century I rode the Breakneck 100km Permanent route with Rick, its creator.

We arrived simultaneously for a pre-ride breakfast at the Lamp Post Diner about 6am, its opening time per its website, only to find it dark. The sign out front said, Open 7am.
We left our cars there, geared and saddled up, then rode a short distance to a Wawa, where we ate breakfast sandwiches, turned on our recording devices, and headed out on a grey, humid morning. Forecast was partly cloudy, 72-84F, winds out of the south at 5-8mph. Pretty good riding weather for August.

This route starts in Gloucester Township (not far from Camden County College), heads over to Mullica Hill, down to Vineland, up to New Brooklyn and Sicklerville, across the highest point, in downtown Erial (part of the same alluvial ridge that runs thru Pine Hill and Pine Valley Golf Course), then back down to the starting point. A bit of the early part of the route was on a bike path in Blackwood NJ, but the rest of it was on roads. Several of them were a bit sketchy, with car traffic and minimal shoulders (can't imagine doing it without my helmet mirror), but most of the ride was enjoyable, especially in the farm and orchard country.

This was the first loaded-in course ridden while using my new Garmin 830, which replaces my 820 (possibly a defective unit). I only growled at it once.

Rick was game to accompany me for this monthly metric, even tho he had ridden the route with someone else just a few days (nights, actually) before. I welcomed his good company. We were never at a loss for conversation, and the ride went well and safely.

 Another month, another metric century. Rando-lite, I call it.

 Pictures, route map and profile are viewable here:  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/72995974

Knapp's Cranbury 100km randonneur ride 7.20.2021

Had a pretty nice Summer day for this month's solo metric century - sunny, temps 70s to mid-80s, very low winds.

Just one Garmin hiccup, and, surprisingly, one cue-sheet error. Not bad. Between the two, I got the route sorted out. The belt-and-suspenders approach paid off again.

This was the first time I went by the Monmouth Battlefield, so I picked up a park brochure (while taking a nature break). Upon reading it at home later, I learned that the June 1778 battle was an important political win for the home team, with lots of Continental star power: Washington, Lafayette, "Mad" Anthony Wayne, and General Charles Lee (uncle of Robert E.). It is also where the myth of  "Molly Pitcher" originated.

I ran out of water, so I went into a Donkey coffee shop and grabbed a bottle out of the cold case. But some super senior ahead of me was holding things up big-time trying to prove to the bewildered counter-person that she was entitled to something extra according to whatever she had in her gold shopping bag. I got so frustrated waiting, I put the bottle back and left, finishing the ride with empty water bottles. I hope I never get old. Hey, wait a minute...

At one point, a driver in a car headed the other direction on an otherwise quiet country road yelled out something to me, not sure what, but it ended in the syllable "-ole." I wasn't affecting his drive in any way; guess he just needed to express himself.

Route map and pics here:  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/71626509

Hancock's Bridge 100km randonneur ride 6.08.2021

"And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days..."
-James Russell Lowell

On this nice, hot day in June, I rode the new Hancock's Bridge 100km Permanent route with its creator, Rixter. Rick is a stronger rider than me (I've called myself "Mr Slowski") but he is good enough to wait for me up ahead, sometimes out of view. At one point I saw two riders coming toward me, with one wearing a jersey that reminded me of Rick's. Wait a minute - that IS Rick, and with him is fellow club-member Gary, out for a solo ride. Pure happenstance, meeting up on the road. Funny.

Starting near the Union Lake dam in Millville NJ, the route heads past the southern edge of Parvin State Park and up to Anderson's Store in Centerton, over to Bud's Market in Quinton (good breakfast sandwiches), down to historic Greenwich (site of a pre-Revolution tea party), up to Bridgeton, down to Fairton, then back to the western edge of Millville. It is an enjoyable course, a lot of long runs on quiet country roads with some elevation due to a few rollers (by South Jersey standards). Route, elevation profile and pics here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/68856358

We rode past some foot-high corn; it would be nice to ride the route again when the corn is tall. I saw my first mountain laurel in bloom (Millville-Fairton Road), and heard a couple different cocks crowing. A number of dogs barked hello, but seemed to be kept on their property by invisible fence - except for 3 little dogs that together came charging right out onto the road. I predict short lifespans for them.

As usual, I had a Garmin GPS hiccup, where it told me I was off-course and needed to make a U-Turn. Fortunately the ride-creator was with me to keep me on the correct path.

I am now halfway to a RUSA P-12.

Clamdigger 104k randonneur ride 5.03.2021

 Rode a Permanent randonneur 'metric century' route, officially 104km, out of Toms River NJ.
I got an early start for the 1h 15m drive, arriving at the first Control (a Wawa, no surprise) just a few minutes after the 5:57am sunrise.

Early in the ride I pedaled thru the Ocean County College campus, which was wooded, spacious and quiet. There were signs for Covid testing, but I wonder if that is still happening.
Later, the route went along Toms River and Barnegat Bay, which was enjoyable on a quiet, off-season gray May morning. Temps 60-73F. Winds were not much of a factor, 6-8 mph.
In some watery reeds near the shore, I saw a couple red-winged blackbirds, first I've seen in months (altho I just learned they don't migrate). Also saw a young osprey, egrets, a swan and a turkey-ish bird which I did not recognize, plus a dead hawk, frog and crab on the road.

The route used the Barnegat Branch (rail) Trail for one mile-plus, a cinder path.
An interpretive sign mentioned that the area once hosted a large Atlantic white cedar forest, but after being logged it did not regenerate. That wood is good for birdhouses. Later the route was on gravel (Good Luck Road) for a short distance. The non-paved sections were fine for my 28mm tires.

Both coming and going along a stretch of US 9, I passed the de-commissioned (2018) Oyster Creek nuclear power plant. I believe when it was coming up for its re-licensing, it was the oldest such plant in operation in the country, operating since 1969. Rather than try to come up to code to pass inspection, the company struck a deal for an extension and an agreement to close at the end of the term. Two of my brothers, a pipe-fitter and a welder, worked there over the years as members of United Association union Local 322. At the entrances there are signs for Holtec, a company which now has a big chunk of riverfront real estate in Camden NJ, lured there by huge incentives from a state economic development program. A major road was even re-routed to give the plant the sizeable plot of Delaware riverfront land it desired.

There were a couple long, quiet pine-country roads (Lacey and Dover) which I also enjoyed. Plenty of spots for 'nature breaks.' And there were a couple full-service restrooms along the way. Such relief.
Have to mention that there were also several busy stretches with too many cars and too little shoulder. Had to have my wits about me; the helmet mirror was essential.
As usual, my Garmin gave me several erroneous 'Off Course' warnings. Glad I had printed out the cue sheets to double-check myself.

Pictures, map and route elevation profile here:

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/66622712

Donuts and Hoagies 102km randonneur ride 4.14.2021

I rode the Donuts and Hoagies 102k randonneur Permanent route yesterday, so named because many of the Controls are Wawas (hoagies), along with an independent donut shop and a Donkey Donuts.
Nice Spring day for a bike ride (altho with just a few sprinkles late [I suppose that's appropriate for a ride with 'donuts' in the name]), starting and ending at Village Park in the fine old town of Cranbury NJ. I only had 1 off-course 'bonus mile', which is pretty good for me on an unfamiliar route. My total was 64.4 miles.

One especially nice thing about riding solo, with no timetable to meet someone, I just wake up whenever, go thru my morning routine, prepare the bike and gear, head out when I am ready, arrive at the start point without worrying about traffic, then saddle up. It is a zen way of going.

From my home to the start point, I had a one-hour drive, part of which was on the New Jersey Turnpike, and I either saw or crossed over the Turnpike many times during this ride.
Rode on a lot of back roads, too. Saw lots of skunk cabbage, which was always one of the first signs of Spring we would see when Bill S and I, as boys, hung out 'down the crick' and got our feet wet despite parental warnings.

When I entered my Results on the Randonneur USA site, I mistakenly entered my Moving time, not my Overall time. *urk* It looks like I finished about an hour earlier than I actually did. But I can't find any way to Edit my info there. The Contact link just takes you to Bugzilla, where you create an account, which I did, only to find it is only for reporting Bugs, which this is not; it is user error.                     EDIT: Found on the RUSA site an email address for requesting corrections. Response was almost instantaneous, and the correction was made within an hour of my request. Kudos!

I took care to do plenty of hydrating in the couple days leading up to the ride. Along with taking Saltstick capsules, I drank less than 2 water bottles-full along the ride itself, but I had to pee plenty. I recall going at least 2 times in the woods, once at the Millstone Twp muni building (thank you, kind civil servant, for letting me in), and at least 3 times in porta-potties. Riding solo and not carrying a lock, I was not comfortable leaving my bike outside a Wawa, e.g., to go inside for a nature break, so I didn't.

Noticed during one porta-potty nature break that the structure's plastic has a recycle triangle with a '2' in it. I guess it's appropriate that a potty would be a #1 or a #2.

Pictures, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/65506676

Millville 100km randonneur ride 2.24.2021

 2.24.2021

With Rick L (a strong rider). Emerging from "the land of the ice and snow," the weather today was good for a change: mostly sunny, mid-40s to low 50s F, and the winds at the start were only 6mph but got to 12 mph by the end. Mostly they were crosswinds, but there were some unexpected headwinds (in the second half, of course).

Startled a guy with his dog (not close, he just didn't realize anybody was nearby), but he recovered enough to courteously return a friendly hello.

Even tho the distance has been no big deal in the past (including last month), I struggled mightily today. My thigh muscles and my knees hurt, and I even had a short spell of dizziness (very unusual). Lots of cramping, too, even tho it was not warm and I was diligent about taking my Saltstick capsules. Then Rick suggested it might be related to my first Covid-19 vaxxing, which took place less than 48 hours prior. I hope that's it. I'd hate to give up these 100kms, but I have no intention of continuing if they are going to be suffer-fests.

Pics, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/63025197 

Veterans Memorial 104k randonneur ride 3.22.2021

 

3.22.21 (Best friend Bill's 70th birthday)

 I rode Rick's Veterans Memorial 100km randonneur route on this fine Spring day (temps 37-60F, ENE winds 5-7mph). This one was 104km, or 64.5 miles, from Vineland to Estelle Manor (where the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery is located), Corbin City / Tuckahoe,Woodbine, Belleplain State Forest, Port Republic, back thru Buena Vista to Vineland.

Had a false start (forgot to select the route to Navigate in my Garmin), which meant it was best to return to the car, reset my device and start over. Known as 'bonus miles' in the biz, I had 1.6 of them today.

At least a dozen times I heard vernal pond 'peepers' while passing some standing water back in the trees near the road. A couple different times I heard a cock crowing. Saw a turtle sunning himself in a creek along Post Road, but when I circled back I found he was camera-shy. Country stuff. I love it.

Passed a rider going the other direction on NJ-50, and I gave him a wave. He did not return it, at least while I was looking. Maybe he did not approve of my blinking front light and hi-viz vest. Or maybe he just did not want to let go of his aero bars.

Solo, on my Spesh. After last month's suffer-fest Millville 100km, I didn't want to drag another randonneur along to ride at my pace, not knowing if I could even finish. It went well, tho. And being solo, I was able to stop frequently whenever I saw a photo op. That kind of thing can drive co-riders nuts. 

About 51 miles into the ride, I reached in the back pocket of my Randonneurs USA for the last of my Clif bar and bumped up against something else. Huh? Ah, it was my Clif Shot caffeine gel (Double Espresso). Score! I had meant to consume it at about the halfway point, but had forgotten about it. I sucked the sweetness down, and shortly thereafter I was well-fortified for the long haul up Union Road.

 All in all, this was a good day on the bike.

Pictures, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64251000