Weekend's Ride: 8/8 To Placitas and Back Again

We had the best rider turnout of the season for this ride - an amazing 15 riders showed up early for the ride up to Placitas (route here).  Riders today were - Tina, Jeff, Evil Gary, Maneeshika, Matt, Greg, Alba, Ryan, Laura and Eric (returning triumphantly on the orange tandem), John, Stacy, Frank, Captain Awesome, and Captain Snookums.

This ride is can be divided into four parts: a fast flat out to Bernallilo, a long slow hill up to where the sidewalk ends (anyone?), a long fast down hill section, and finally another long fast flat ride back. And aside from the brief stretch where 550 meets I25, relatively quiet and beautiful, especially the ride north from ABQ and the climb into Placitas.  Overall, it was a great ride, a great goup and nice cool weather due to an blissful overcast sky (a rarity here in the high desert).  It was also great to overlap with a Women Riding Well training ride!  We weaved in an out up the long hill to the top where we rallied.

At the first rally point!

As the season continues, it is always great to see our team in action!  Everyone has a great time, and some of the best friends I have have come as a result of miles riding with the Penultimates.  It is always fun to get to know people while riding.  I am pretty sure if it is the lack of pretension that comes with dressing up in spandex and plopping a helmet on the noggin and then working and sweating for hours on end.  That tends to get people to let their guard down.

Clouds?  In ABQ?

One thing that came to mind today especially, was a great scene from that classic film - The Great Muppet Caper.  Check it here.  It reminded me of our team today - especially the end when the whole group rides together.  Sure, maybe it is our team's general nature of contained chaos and good will when riding. Maybe it was long ride induced loopiness.  Maybe it was the orange tandem.  Maybe we all just look like muppets.  In any case, it made me happy!  Go Domo!  

Right at the start - covert captain cam!

Not the Penultimates, but close.

Leaving rally point 1

At the top!

Mr. Miyagi riding in Stacey to the top of the hill.  Another reason why our team is the best!