9/26 Ride Report - The Heat is On !!!

I could not sleep last night as my head was full of thoughts. It was as if it was the night before a big ride, and I was full of pent up energy and excitement. In a way, it was a new ride for me as I have been off of the bike for a whole two weeks now.

Driving up to MSP, I was excited to see the parking lot full of cars with bikes on them. Walking around, I shook everyone's hands as I was excited to see my biking friends. There was Anh Minh, Anh Sang, Long, Toan, Chi, Dat, Thang, Randy, Kirk, Duc, Kyanh, Loc, and some new folks whose names I can't remember right now. Surprisingly, I did not see any of our A1 guys. The news must have broke that I was coming back, not in shape, so they must have taken pity on me and decided not to come out. That's good, I thought, as this was going to be a SLOW ride then. The A2 guys, on the other hands, were talking about attacking me. Yikes!

And then guess who drove up... The Animal. And right behind him was Greg. Next to came was Cap't and Greg Russell on their bikes. Then the entire Rock Racing Crew showed. Man wishful thinking indeed!

This group about 20 riders rolled out. Nice and steady pace, with everyone asking me about England and the Pope experience. I chit chat with folks as we rolled nicely on Bushard going towards the beach. Along the way, I somehow ended up in front and did a little pull with Greg in the double paceline formation. Let's just say that I did not last very long, and was huffing and puffing after like a few minutes up front. To be honest, I was dying but was trying to put on good face and not show too much everyone my weakness. I think the signs were hard to miss as I was desparately waving Duc up to help me pull.

At the rest stop, I was excited when I saw Fed-Ex and Big H. We have not seen these two in a long time, as Fed-Ex has been racing and Big H recovering with a broken collar bone. I came up and shook both of these guys hands. Man it's gonna be an interesting ride now.

Then guess who popped around the corner, no other than our big man The Warrior. Nic has been MIA ever since junior came, and he has been doing diaper duty. Nic brought his friend Sal along for the ride. I also spotted TZ around too. Man... our A1 boys are back in the game!

Next to show was Jimmy, his friend and their two boys. Also they brought along two brand new riders, riding with tennis shoes no less. I am sorry there were not a lot of pictures as my camera finally died. I manage to take only a couple of shots with KyAnh's iphone. Only one photo turned out good and here it is.

Photo #1 - Members of the A1 Fast Boys: The Animal, The Warrior, and Cap't

The A1 guys took off after a short rest. I stayed with the A2 folks as we debated on the route. The heat was on as it was over 100 degrees F, and we were next to the beach no less, and we were concern with the 69 miles route heading inland. After much debate, we are off and planning to stick to most of the original planned route!

We were rolling nicely, with Toan in the front pulling the pack, and then all of a sudden Anh Thang broke away. I yelled at him to slow and pull, but he had too much energy. So we let him dangle at the front for a while by himself, until he got tired and fall back within the pack. On PCH, our group passed the River Velo crew, whom we rode with on GMR. We saw Cap't Bong and his daughter, and talked to them about the next friendship ride. Let's just say for now that I better get in shape as soon as I can because it's coming and gonna be a hard one.

Newport Coast climb was a struggle for me, as most everyone pass me. Later at the coffee shop, Duc told us he was climbing at 14 mph when Fed-Ex blasted by. Duc could not believe this, and if you guys know Newport Coast then you know 14 mph on this hill is a magnificent feat already. Duc said Fed-Ex slowed, let him catch up, then bursted again. After a few of this yo-yo moves, Duc waived Fed-Ex on.

Back to the A2 group, most of us made up the hill okay with the exception of Sal, Nic's friend. He has not been riding and looked like he was going to heave any minute now. A moment of rest though and we are on.

Next up was another hill on Campus then Ridgeline. The Rock Racer boys started becoming active and was making their moves on this hill. I was struggling to maintain sight with these guys as they accellerated uphill. The attacks came even on the downhill on Ridgeline. These RR boys were taking chances even I did not dare, as they weaved in and around slower riders. I think we lost a few members on this aggressive portion of the ride now that I think of it. Good thing there were route sheets handed out at MSP. We finally reached the Circle-K rest stop where the A1 guys were waiting. Temperature must be close to 110 F as we all squeeze under the available shade. I had my head down and were just trying to breathe to put oxygen back into the lungs.

Fed-Ex and Big H decided to ride back with our A2 group. Oh that's just great! Not only do we have to deal with the heat, but now we have to deal with these two monsters of a rider. As we started off, I instructed the A2 pack to not loose the draft of these two guys, and to "stick to them like glue".

I must say that I am very proud that our A2 did exactly that. Toan, Sang, and Thang were like leeches man, and they did not let go as Fed-Ex and Big H accelerated repeatedly. On the Back Bay though, Fed-Ex was pulling at 27 mph all by himself. It was an amazing display of power as the rest of us could only hold on for dear life and was unable to help. We regrouped at the boat marina. Somewhere around here, Fed-Ex and Big H bid us goodbye, and we thanked them for the extra workout and excitement they gave us.

SART was an interesting ride. We had Thang doing the solo attack again, then we had Toan and Sang trading off and pulling the pack. A little after the wooden bridge, they both pulled aside and waved the guys behind them up. I was in fifth position, there were 3 guys between me and the front duo, but NO ONE came up. I have been drafting all this time, decided I had extra energy, and I moved to the front with a 27 mph move, passing these 3 folks and the 2 front guys, thinking I would drag someone along with me. Surprisingly no one came with me and I was alone in front for a few minutes. I looked back and decided that I would try to hold it at 27 mph.

Wishful thinking of course, and I quickly died off. By this time the pack had torn itself to pieces trying to chase me in the heat, and only 3 riders managed to pass.

Back at MSP, my legs were shaking, but my heart was full of joy and my body full of excitement. We all were yaking excitedly as the heat could not even slow us down on this ride. The A2 team even managed to beat the A1 guys back as well. The heat was on for this ride!

Hope you enjoyed reading. See you next Sunday!

Phong