19.5 for 55? That's a pretty fast group ride @dougiedude. You guys running a pace line? Also, nice avatar..."The dude abides"...LOL.

 

Pace line off and on. Too many noobs and guys trying to go off the front to do it well, or consistently. The hills in North Georgia tend to keep the pace down a bit, too. I should have shown the computer page showing vertical, but it was 1996 feet...

 

Thought I'd try a new avatar out, for 'size'....

not as stodgy as my the Flagship caseback, but perhaps more apropos, since my HS buds nicknamed me 'Dude' more than 20 years before the movie!

 

Roger. You get any tri guys (or TT guys that should know better) attempting to use the "dick bars" while in the pack? "Dick bars" = you're a dick if you go aero using the aero bars in a pack...unstable/delayed braking therefore "DANGER WILL ROBINSON" alarms sound.

 

Seems there's always 'one', and today was no exception.

At least he was a relatively 'stable' Dick-rider, but all it takes is a touch of a wheel, or a squirrel trying a free 'merry-go-round' ride in the spokes to take down the pack when the hands are encircling those two 'dicks'!

 

LOL

 

@dougiedude...I hear you...we have one or two show up sometimes (depends on the ride)...if it's a ride composed of CAT 1 - 3...they won't be there...but the ones I've seen show up on other rides are always on the bullhorns while in the pack...so that's cool. Sometimes I'll ride my TT bike on a group ride...but if I go aero (in the "dick bars")...I'll do it waaaaaay off the back.

 

@dougiedude...you guys do sprint signs and KOMs?

 

@dougiedude...YIKES!...there's one of those dick bar riders...stay away from that dude!

"Danger Will Robinson!"

 

!!!!

 

Congrats on your TT Silver medal, however

 

We don't have any formally designated sprints, but there's always the mini 'race' to see who makes the summits first...

The final bridge (county sign) before the shop is nearly always a contested sprint, however.

 

I was a triathlete before I narrowed my focus about 10 years ago, so I must admit, I was a 'dick' rider, too, back then. I even took my 'horns' on a few group rides , until I realized it wasn't so cool...

 

@dougiedude...thank you, sir...now I have a complete set (gold 2013 state TT, silver 2015 state TT, bronze 2014 state TT)...time to retire and eat boat loads of Dunkin' Donuts doughnuts.

 

Roger that, @dougiedude.

Still have your tri-bike?

 

You guys are killing me. I don't even want to think about how fast I'd be dropped riding with you. I tried my first Cat 4 climb yesterday and had to stop at one point. In fairness, it was because I had just finished the part with a portion that was ~38% grade, but still, very humbling. That said, I cracked the 1 minute mark on a Strava segment for a nice little hill that sees plenty of action, wound up putting me into the top 25 all-time, so there's that.

Congrats on the medals, Mad Dog!!!

 

@Wetworks...thank you, sir AND nice work on your part! You say a portion at ~38% grade? Holy smokes!!! That's insane! I don't do so hot in the hills...during the 3 masters road races I did this year, I was dropped in the hills at all 3 races...very humbling...my team mates were not very happy with me!

 

Long gone.

I do still have my '91 Basso road bike (Columbus tubing, DuraAce grupo) I first got 'serious' on... I was a much better swimmer and runner back then...

At 140 pounds, I thrive in the mountains. Give me a 10% grade for 10 miles, and I'm happy... Especially on the descent !

 

I don't believe I have ever seen a 38% grade... and I hope I never do!

Even the Tour de France's steepest section only hits about 16%... you sure about that number, @Wetworks ? Regardless, I know how humbling anything greater than 15% can be!

 

Roger that @dougiedude...remind me (170 lbs) not to ride with you when I get based in ATL soon.