Thursday, March 25, 2010

OSB 2-10 The Drive to Bike


41 comments:

Rocket said...

Hi OSB Friends!

Turbo stopped by today and dropped off the card and the newest OSB Jersey. Thanks, guys!!!! I'll definitely be on the road in it soon. I've been out on my mountain bike for some short spring rides, waiting for the sweeping and some rain to clean up the road a bit before I take out the Cervelo. I think I saw Jazz along Deerwood the other day. Rod and I went to Thom Swift at the Playhouse, too. What a great show.

Enjoy the smooth roads in NC. Watch out for hypothermia though....it can catch you by surprise. And don't forget some lights for the tunnels!!

We'll be enjoying the hot tub at home :). Happy spring!

Cookie said...

Great to hear from you, Rocket. Hope see see you out on the road soon.

NC 2010 said...

Blast off tomorrow, 0800
Rat, Zorro, Donut, Pebbles, Libby,Turbo. meeting up with Kelly Omni and some locals in Asheville.

Laszlo said...

You crazy buch, enjoy the sufferfest!!
Have a safe drive and rides!!

Cookie said...

Enjoy the trip, lads. I'm wishing I was going with you and glad I'm not at the same time.

Stinky said...

Have a safe trip. Hopefully the weather is fantastic.

Happy biking.

Omni said...

Buttercup ... err, Cookie,

Whadda ya mean you're sitting out this year? Just how am I going to draft all week with out you here?

OSB NC said...

Things are great in Asheville, Booked into house 0830, Feel like royality. did a 90 km ride, on no sleep and the newbys were impressed. (we all were) Well worth every km of driving. Wet tomorrow and near 20oC for the rest of the week. Living the Dream.

Princess Rat said...

Here and dry , Queen E going for a run, the other hardy souls just left in the RAIN/6 degrees (trying to justify my decision) for a 50-60k ride. Fear, no acceptance of the fact that I won't be on the arc, DNA not of species survival quality. Butt, at least I am dry. Oh, and warm. Did I mention that. And as an added bonus, bike is clean.

rat said...

Hey Bubbles, we all especially me miss you. No phone here, can't send email cut can receive. (damn NB Net). My try to add skype, what is your number. Drop me an email.

No Doubt said...

Good to hear from you Rocket, hope to see you and Rod on the road soon.

Have fun in NC OSB. We broke in the trail for 'yall last week, so it should be a little more tame hopefully. Don't underestimate the parkway. I'm sure Kelly will fill you in on why you need lots of layers and possibly a stove and tent while riding up there. Have fun! If you're decending from Pisgah into Brevard, look for Carl and Larry in one of the cookhouses. You may just get some of their mistery roast and some fresh coffee.

Jazz said...

Hey boys, picked a good week to get out of town! Remember, its all - and only - about the suffering...and yes, the beer. (Stay away from the Millwakee's Best!) I find that 1 or 2 Sam Adams before a 90km ride really evens things out. Try it!
Be safe!

Bubbles said...

Rat

You are lucky to be there on vacation and riding!! Some of us had to stay home. For the love of god get out and ride. You won't melt (but you will get fat:). Hope everyone is having a great time! Have a fabuoloous week

Cookie said...

Could anyone understand a word of Rat's comments? I probably would have stayed home, warm and dry as well.

An reader from Whooville said...

That was Rat's way of saying it was a "book club" day.

rat and the gang said...

Riding today 140k loop thru Lure lake. I am planning to go out as well.
Decision made to stay here in Asheville til Friday and leave for home in the am with estimated arrival home noonish Sat.

missing all of our significant others here.

rat and the gang said...

Riding today 140k loop thru Lure lake. I am planning to go out as well.
Decision made to stay here in Asheville til Friday and leave for home in the am with estimated arrival home noonish Sat.

missing all of our significant others here.

Senora Zorro said...

I love you Mitch!

Bubbles said...

Sooo...how was the day? How is the weather. Hope everyone had a great ride. Pebbles, how were the hills? How many times did you have to unclip?

What's for supper? It's Wendy's for Mat and I tonight...no Rat...no supper.

Thinking of all of you and hope you are having a fabulous time!

Bubbles said...

Good night Rat, I love you:)

My Skype address is kathywilson451

You should "look me up"

Turbo said...

Just wrote a big lonhg note and it didn't send so will keep thisw one short. all is well, we are over 400km so far and lots of climbs. internet and phone service is sketchy thus not hearing from us as much. The house has been wonderful and is creating some good team chemistry. Not to mention the food, Dounut is preping Maple Curry Chicken, got to go eat. Take care and best to all

Bubbles said...

Yeah, well tonight I ate a bagel and two bananas!!! So there.

Have a great day tomorrow.

rat said...

Well time for bed as had a 140km day again and tomorrow is the assault on the carolinas - that is Ceasars head and sassafras.
I had a bagel and 2 bananas too bubs but I also had the maple Curried chicken

Mzzzzz Jazz said...

In honour of one of the very best OSB legends, here's something for the OSB crew in NC (maybe next year's official trip poster?):

http://www.cafepress.ca/+ride_it_small_poster,391282793

Mzzzzz Jazz said...

Whoops bad blogger re: above post... click on my name for link.

Omni said...

To those left behind,

Just a quick note to say I am back in Portsmouth (raining here). I hope Caesar's head and Sassafras did not disappoint ...

The climb to "Little Switzerland" yesterday was most scenic, but less challenging that the squiggles on the map lead me to believe. While spinning (& gawking) up one of the gentler portions, I encountered three long-boarders coming in the other direction - quickly - in what struck me as an inevitable encounter with road-rash at any moment.

I then drove to Virgina; parked at the Peaks of Otter Country Store and descended into Buchanan (SR-43). As I was nearing the end of the "fun" part, I shot around a corner to see a transport truck bridged across the second to last switchback. He had made it past the first switchback - and chewed away the bank on the inside of the turn then got stuck on the next one (outward turn).
Somehow he missed the two 10x15, bright yellow, signs suggesting the unsuitability of the pass to "Buses, RVs and Trailers" and indicating the "last chance to turn around".

On my climb back-up the truck was still there, but had been joined by two state troopers ... they were waiting for a crane and second tractor to be able to turn-around the trailer and take it back down the hill.

Once back on the Parkway I continued to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain (another 16km and 1500'). Temperature on the Parkway was 17 at Peaks of Otter and perhaps half of that in the wind at the top of Apple Orchard.

The bonus is I was able to end the day with a descent back to the car - and almost took out Bambi's momma on one of the corners ... we were both just a little startled by the encounter. In total I counted 21 deer in 25km on the Parkway.

OSB NC said...

day 5 in the books, 115km, cesars head sasafras, Turbo put the demons to bed. weather was a toasty 23oC and tomorrow is warmer. (sun screen back)Rats night to wow us with some special meal. Tired legs and many laughs. Libby found lu lu lemon so we can all rest and Donut has a new friend (Steve French) We meet some cyclist from Toronto today and all drooled over the road cycling here. up to 525km, but who's counting... Take care expect to be back home early on saturday

Bubbles said...

Might I just add that lu lu lemon makes a PERFECT gift for wives left at home!! I personally could use a new jacket AND a pair of pants. Libby, you can direct the guys to the "good stuff". Don't worry about the expense. WE ARE WORTH IT!

Rat, I still love you! (go figure)

Pinky said...

Sounds and looks like a fantastic trip.

Bubbles said...

OK...Now I'm jealous! Looks like it has been a great trip. Safe travels home. Gonna be 20 degrees and sunny this weekend.

Omni said...

Hello OSB-NC,

It's sunny and 63F in Portsmouth this afternoon ... I'm headed out to ride the islands [http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/nh/portsmouth/752272639321] ... a Portsmouth flat (as opposed to NC Flat) ride ... not as nice as your 80F Parkway ride today, but it's time on the bike.

Note: I trust you are returning via I81 -> I78/NJ287/NY87 -> I84 ->I90 and not coming-up the I95. There is some sever flooding in Rhode Island and eastern Mass, including a portion of the I95.

Kelly said...

Bubbles etc.: We miss you here in NC. Also, confidentially, I'm worried that you're getting a topographical map or new jockey wheels or rather than Lululemon. Libby and I tried to intervene, but you know how boyz always think they know best.

Stephen Dixon said...

Hi gang... sounds like a grand cycling adventure in NC once again :-) I'm stoked to be back on the bike again... have been feeling the urge lots after a couple of years of burn-out. Been out with your evil cousins 4 or 5 times and feeling great.

Safe trip home and see you on the road.

PS - Any rides this weekend in sunny Freddy Beach? Please post. Plan to do one evil ride and one OSB ride.

OSB NC said...

WOW, Day 6, 28oC rode parkway from asheville to Brevard. 33 km of climbing 25km of decent. and back home on some country roads that would be in a cyclist dream. End up with 650km for the week. the motorist we amazingly nice. definately hardwired to "Share the Road" While we all return home with different memories. One thing is for certain, couldn't have been much better. We all got along so well and supported each other on all the rides and pitched in around the house to keep it positive. Plan to being some good weather home with us.

Bubbles said...

Kelly

If I get a F*#!'n map, it is NOT going to go well...might I remind Rat that my birthday is Tuesday:)Tell him not to worry though, I'm ordering myself a new bike tomorrow. Beautiful, green and pink.

Sounds like a fantastic trip. I look forward to being there next year.

Please, all...be careful on the way home. We'll plan a party at our house soon to hear about the trip!!

OSB NC said...

All back save and Sound. Absorbing the week, and memories of OSB NC 2010
IT's offical "HairPin"

Donut said...

The trip to NC was awesome and worth the travel.. The climbing...Whicked!! The decending...SWEET!! Lots of great food and company. Rat, next year I believe another ride accross Pennslyvania Rd is in order.... Thanks Omni for mapping out the routes at the first of the week... Looking forward to next years trip..

Jazz said...

Was this Steve French from Corner Brook? I had a good friend swimming as a kid same name...last I heard he was some kind of Doc and into Tri's...

Anonymous said...

that post was from me, Queen e

Spring Fatness Jazz said...

Sunday Ride? AM leaving for Millville and Easter Feast at 12:30. Would love some company! If you just got back from cycling nirvana and you want to lord your skinny, fit ass over me by pulling me all the way to the Crabbe Mtn. turn off, hey, come fill yer boots! You'd get your 7th Century ride of the week in! Or, if not, ride to the Ridge or Burton for a 50 or 60k ride. Either way, be great to have some OSB Company!

Hairpin said...

Hey OSB, Thanks for a fantastic trip! Beautiful riding, great company, excellent food, and lots of laughs... Perfect!

Steve French and Norman aren't exactly hitting it off yet, but I'm sure they'll get used to one another soon enough.