Ride Updates

A.B. Sandefur ( 502-425-9463)  will be subbing for me as ride captain on Friday, July 27th, at the 9:15 am ride from Sawyer-Hayes.  

Because this is Waterfront Wednesday, the Slow and Easy ride will leave from the Yellow Lot tonight.  It will be HOT - make sure you have adequate water. 

With the forecast still showing very high temperatures thru Sunday. I no longer plan to do the full 70 mile option out to Salem and then back to Corydon for the Morgain's Raid tour on Sunday. I plan on only riding from the Comfort Inn to Palmyra and back which will be about 35 miles. Therefore, I will not be able to sweep the full 70 mile out to Salem and back on Sunday. I will still have sign in sheets and cue sheets for those that want to do the 70 mile out and back option on Sunday. However, if you choose the 70 mile out and back option on Sunday, this route will not be swept.

Charlie Drexler

I received a question about the 53 mile route that was scheduled along  with the century of Saturday.  The shorter route has not been cancelled, but please be aware that most of the route is out in the open.  There is only one store stop.  Be prepared for the heat.  Despite the shorter distance, it is a long way on a hot day.  Puddle

With predicted temperatures Saturday of 107-109 degrees and few extra store stops to provide extra shelter and rest if we are in need, I feel it is only prudent to cancel Saturday's Century.  Sorry.  I just am not comfortable with it.  Puddle

Due to excessive heat (forecast 100 degrees) and the fact that the waterfront area will be a zoo tomorrow, the ride is cancelled.

See everyone NEXT week!
Laura

Like Kirk, I am not canceling my Wednesday ride, the Mangler, unless there is active lightening.  Unlike Kirk's ride, however, the Mangler is "a hard ass club ride." This ride has more climbing than the Crestwood Killer and most of it is during the first 1/2 of the ride.   I rode 104.8 miles today on a relatively easy course, so this is how it is going to be on Wednesday:

1.  If you normally ride a 7-8 hour century including stops, I suggest you plan on 9.5 to 10.5 hours on Wednesday or riding ahead of the ride captain. I am fine if you drop me.  Since I designed this route, I can find my way home.  If you haven't been completing a regular club century in 7-8 hours including stop time, you have no business showing up at the ride.  Come out another day when it is cooler and you have picked up your speed a bit.
2.  I reserve the right to call the ride at the first store stop turning it into a 50 miler if people are feeling badly.  That being said, I will ask if anyone wants to take over as ride captain before calling the ride and turning around.  I expect to hear no whining that you drove all the way to Memphis to the start if I turn people around and you don't volunteer to take over.  You have been warned.  Besides that, I excel at whining and I doubt you can outdo me in this area.
3.  What I found today was that I stopped at every store that was open and hydrated.  They weren't long stops, just long enough to down a drink.  I intend to ride that way Wednesday. That being said, I can only think of a couple of additional places where stores MAY be available on Wednesday.
4.  I occasionally walked a tough hill that I would normally climb and I also stopped and rested at the top of a couple of climbs. Yet again, I intend to do this Wednesday if I feel like it. Lolling in the grass can be extremely pleasant.  Getting back on the bike can be extremely tough.
5.  You can ride ahead if you would like, but I am riding at a reasonable pace where my tongue is not hanging out of the side of my mouth and my breathing does not sound like that of a obscene phone caller.
6.  Two water bottles will not be enough. Bring more or a camel back.  Remember the need for salt.
7.  Consider bringing a tube sock to make an ice sock for your neck.
8.  I will ask any rider who appears to be not prepared not to ride.  You should have been acclimating by riding shorter, hilly rides in the heat.  I have never told a rider they could not ride before on a club ride, but it the right of a ride captain to do it.  This includes cutting you lose if necessary or asking you to turn around if you start and appear unable to complete the ride safely.
9.  There is no sag service.  If you have any doubts as to your ability to finish, and you are wise if you do, have a back up plan for someone to sag you in.

Stage #8 is CANCELLED.

There were multiple issues, among them: Extreme Heat, I-65 Southbound currently has 2 lanes being dumped onto the 2nd St Bridge, and the temporary ramps on the Milton-Madison Bridge.

Both the TMD Stage and the Ride itself are cancelled.

It is TOO hot for me!!!!