Group A2 Sunday July 25th Report...

Last Sunday ride also an exciting ride. After the PCH restroom stop we were headed south instead of heading north of the PCH as planned due to the big Surf contest event at the Huntington's pier. We rode out together then make a turn into the Back Bay before the Jamboree (the gate way from BB out to PCH). This to test out the endurance of our new members...

The ride was smooth and nice enough that made those Red/White/Black jersey riders took off and disappeared in our eyes and left behind few serious "cruisers and sightseeing" RR, Loc, Tina, Minh, Candy, Long and I. That's alright guys, we were working on it...we sure enjoying the view and the Bay's breeze that we have missed so many times when we rode by since we have always busy of grinding teeth, huffing & puffing, checking on front guy's rear wheel & fighting hard with fierce head wind...

Unfortunately, the chain from Tina's bike came off once then few minutes later there another time...it seem like she must have been applied too much power on her pedals that the crank could not hold it no more and kicked the chain off or something...but no...her brand new bike needs to be adjusted, master Candy said while he checking the bike...no tools were found on any of us for master Candy to perform his magic...darn it! He felt like a good old Wizard had just lost his wand...he stared at the bike and sighed.

We felt Tina's frustration, but we told her not to worry, that's part of riding a bike & it is hard to avoid, chain off is nothing, flat is more to concern. Chain quickly back to its position and we were on our way. A group of VV road runners, were waiting for us at the end of Back Bay trail, we once again together rode out nicely in a single file into the BackBay loop---> Irvine Blvd-->Dover and out to PCH.

On the PCH to the SART, Long and I were far behind from the pack and a scooter came up fast. Long had a crazy idea that we race this guy and in hope that he will get caught at the red light so we can all start & will have a fair fight. But at the traffic light we both got block by 2 cars that making right turn and bunch of our VV riders, the scooter guy was upper handed, but we did not mind...the green light turned on, the scooter started, the guy kind of heavy so the scooter rolling slowly...that was our hope! Long and I never before together sprinted off hard to shorten the distance, we quickly reached to 32.3 mile/hr and we have closing in...unfortunately, even the weight of this guy on the scooter mad it slow at start but once it gained the momentum the scooter running faster & faster, the scooter rider couldn't even notice that 2 knuckle heads chasing him behind and were out of breath, slowly dropping off. Long and I had a good laughed while catching our breath...SART was in sight.

At SART we quickly opened another attack (sorry folks we are not aggressive people...for past 30 miles we had just only getting warm up!) anyway, everyone even 2 tandems would not want to be left out. All A2 riders form a single file like a Red arrow poking through the air swallowing up the trail...one after another took turn pulling the pack, everyone sticking together like glue no matter how hard the leader pushed no one got drop...Ky Anh getting back in shape so quick, proven that he too becoming a deadly hungry wolf.

After the tunnel, RRs start charging in, this is their secret, this is an experience from the pro, this is where they make the damage, the kill to their contenders...I can hear the sound of the peloton tires grinding on the trail surface louder and louder...there! RRs leading the pack follow by Long, Ky Anh...passing by fast, no time to lose, I squeezed myself in a position of this powerful shooting arrow and hanging on with my last finger...But 2 RRs and Long were too powerful for us, we slowly drifting away...a few seconds later Loc came up from behind and yelled "come on A. Toan!" his voice seem to woke me up him & I once again, with all of my last drop of strength and power I sprinted off & pulled him closer and closer to the flying arrow...the Slater under pass is near by we all slowed down, seconds later Minh, Tandem team & the rest pulled in...we were completely out of juices! But we all have big smiles of satisfaction on our faces. Together we heading to base...

Special NOTE & a Friendly Reminder:
For past 2 Sunday rides, Long and I have noticing that our A2 riders & new members along with guests need to pay more attention with safety during the ride on trails or on open roads. On trails, if we see more walkers, bikers or joggers whoever in front of the pack should yell out or give signal to alert our fellows riders behind and we should all quickly relay the message down to the end, do not panic...find a safe open spot to get in the pack. On the street, we should be ALWAYS remain inside the WHITE line of the "bike lane". When the "bike lane" is no longer available we should immediate resume a SINGLE FILE, staying focus and pay attention to those riders in front of you, and again whoever in front of the pack responsible of yelling or signaling for the riders behind you once potential danger is appear and we all should quickly relay the message down to the end.

Riding in with a large pack like us, everyone is relying on each others, please be courteous. We want you to have a safe, good and enjoyable ride every time, the Road Captains can not be every where at any time to remind you...we should take charge and help each others to ride SAFE.

For our new members or guests, please visit our VV website and check out all Rules & Regulation under RIDES selection:
http://www.veloviet.org/rides.html


Ride On...
Toan