Too good to be true? Warmer weather and perhaps a tailwind?
Change in plans. Hurricane Irene had damaged highway 12 which connects to Cape Hatteras and ultimately Ocracoke Island. The highway department has built a bridge, but it isn't open and Tracy was unable to find anyone who could/would allow the cyclists to use it. The option was to ride 80 miles to Swan Quarter and catch the ferry to Ocracoke, which leaves at 12:30 PM! Tracy asked the Big Dogs if we thought we could ride the eighty miles and be at the ferry by noon. Of course, we said, sure, we can do it. CrossRoads moved up the departure time to 6:45 AM and divided the riders into three groups: one group would be taken by van to the Sag stop at 44 miles and start the ride there; a second group would start the ride from the hotel and either catch a ride to the ferry at the SAG stop or continue if they thought they could make the ferry by noon; the third and final group consisted of Don, Peter, Jack, Al, Mike T, Sam, and me, who were going to ride the entire eighty miles (AKA the big dogs).
After an early breakfast at the hotel, the riders gathered in the dark to either load bikes or wait for first light to get on the road before 7:00 AM. We had five hours to make the time cut, averaging 16 MPH including stops. Forming a pace line, the five members of Team Big Dog took turns pulling at the front while other riders took advantage of the stronger riders. We left Kill Devil Hills on SR 64 and rode south. Temperature was in the mid fifties and most riders were bundled up. There was little or no wind and we made good time to the junction with SR 264. Stuart, who had made a breakaway from the group missed the turn and had to backtrack. Heading into a pesky head wind, the peloton continued down a mostly deserted road bordered by swamp on both sides, and raced towards the SAG stop. At one point, Peter declared a "natural break" (he had to pee) and the riders stopped, only to be immediately attacked by clouds of huge mosquitoes! We quickly regrouped and sped towards the SAG stop where CrossRoads staff gave out DEET wipes, which didn't deter some of the gigantic, thirsty mossies. Al and Sam left the feed zone early, followed close behind by Jack, Mike T, and me. The three of us rode in a pace line but never caught the breakaway duo. Peter, Larry, and Bill followed. Larry is risking his amateur status by riding with the Big Dogs.
Jack, Mike T, and I made it to the ferry in plenty of time by 11:30 AM, averaging almost 18 MPH for eighty miles. Of course, we then had to wait an hour to board the ferry to Ocracoke Island for a 2.5 hour trip. CrossRoads Staff organized a lunch buffet out of the back of the support truck for the exhausted riders. Tomorrow is a rest day.
Ocracoke Island, NC
Population 688; elevation 3'
A remote island of the Outer Banks
Blackbeard the pirate (Edward Teach) died on Ocracoke I.
During WWII, British ships were sunk by German U-boats and the bodies of British sailors washed up on shore. The British cemetery is maintained by the Park Service and a British flag flies over the cemetery.
80.3 miles; 4:30 hours; 495' climbing; 4,260 Calories.
Sounds like a very well timed rest day - but of course, you BD's will surely be out riding :)
ReplyDeleteTeam Bitey Girl and the Mutts is very impressed with Team Big Dog's performance today! Way to work the paceline...
ReplyDeleteBummer about the roads and hope the damage isn't too bad as you continue down the coast.
Team update - we participated in a small, one-day competition this Sunday. Our team did well, winning the sprint in record time. However, we failed to podium in the road race due to unfair relegation to the back of the GC by biased club officials. [Personally, we feel that taking another team's musettes is completely appropriate if they are too slow to get to the feed zone first. Our motto? You snooze, you lose.]