Ride Summary 4/27/2010

Starters: MSU Triathlon Team is sponsoring a ride to benefit Mason Barker on May 15th, riders can start between 8 & 10 AM at the MSU Pavilion. For info, visit www.msutriathlon.com At this time I plan to make it, we can turn it into a great group ride and it’s a great cause, so if you are riding anyway on Saturday (there are no road races) and I assume you all are, let’s help out.

Summary: High winds and cool weather and exams might have meant a smaller turnout tonight but twenty is not bad. Heading south was like riding with no chain, but once we headed east the group got split up in the strong crosswinds. After the sprint we all got back together however but again got some separation heading into Mason for the final sprint. Brad (President of MSU Cycling) on his second TNR took the Mason sprint on a 1988 Nishiki with downtube shifters, outstanding. Anthony (who is graduating, bummer, and going on to veterinary school) was riding very strong. By the way Anthony got 21st place in Texas collegiates out of more than 700 Triathletes, he even beat Rhone, the "Australian Whip". Mike Kemp took a sprint too, nice work. Finally, Banky told me we should call the ride the 'five puke ride' because five people threw up. I did not see this, I think he's just positioning because he tried to slip off the front and we hunted him down like a pack of wolves on a rabbit in the middle of winter. Remember, we regroup, our intent is not to leave anyone behind. Don't be discouraged by this ride, the crosswinds made it really hard. The way you get stronger is by doing the ride, you cannot do this on your own.

Milestones: The member count on our Blog http://tuesdaynightroadride.blogspot.com/ hit another milestone this week eclipsing 50 riders (now at 52). When we hit sixty riders we will have a ‘primes’ night on the regular TNR. Bike shop swag as well as a monetary prize and no it won’t just all go to the top sprinter, we plan to spread it around, and yes it will be worth it. So if you are interested or just as a fellow cyclist who wants to support us in a free and easy way, Please log on and sign up. Numbers are power, it will open a lot of doors for us. Thanks.

Closing ideas:
 I am considering creating an attendance prime in conjunction with Webbcorp incorporated and the local bike shops, I will need some help to put it together and keep track, thoughts? Prize will go out at the end of the season.
 Lots of positive feedback on the idea of breaking up into teams at TNR, setting an objective and trying to execute tactics to make it even more interesting and compelling than it already is. Does anyone have any ideas of how we can tell two or more groups apart without spending a ton of money? Helmet covers, armbands, handyman’s secret weapon (aka Duct Tape), etc.?