December 30, 2007

gimbel’s ride 2007.12.30

i am not sure what the split was but most people decided to go long today. up through the ‘steps’ and the 172 climb, it was nothing but good times. the pack was full on long/slow winter miles mode and jordan & co. did a fantastic pace-setting job to keep the group together. i  was told the pace in the second half of the ride was actually faster than it’s been for the last few weeks but i was just glad to be tucked away in the middle of the pack instead of taking the shortcut or getting my ass dropped on 22.

with his pulling assignments now behind him, jordan started to animate the ride. after going for the 1st sprint at full-bore he still had the legs to attack us up the hill right afterwards. few of us worked together to make sure we keep him at a distance we knew we could close. when we were all back together again, he attacked us again over the poggio, this time with the toga dude. 

i was spent by this point and with no hopes for leading out brian or will i tried to burn through my reserve and see if i could bring them back. the answer? not even remotely close. if anything, the duo gained more grounds on the pack. totally dejected i swung off and watched abdul taking charge of the chase. i think they were brought back near the top of the first hump. i am not sure who won the sprint today.

ps: although i didn’t recognize him the whole ride, usi’s own barry miller was in attendance on the long ride. it’s funny. no matter how many years pass by, he will still be remembered as that quiet and mild-mannered kid who came out on the ride with his dad. and it makes me wonder… how am i remembered by others?