Sunny skies, light winds, and moderate temps motivated a large group of about 23 OVCer’s to hit the roads for another Saturday cycling adventure. Riders from Salisbury, Pocomoke, Lewes, Laurel, Tyaskin, Delmar, Millsboro, Princess Anne, and Whaleyville converged in Fruitland for 60 miles of steady endurance riding.
Taking advantage of calm winds and moderate temps, almost 30 riders headed up to Laurel, DE for the 5th Annual Bike & Brew. With 50 mile, metric, and full century options, there was something for everyone.
Taking advantage of near ideal conditions, OVC turned out in force on Saturday to ramble down to a lovely corner of Delmarva, Deal Island. 22 riders -- Roscoe, Mark, Chris, Glenn, Russ, Maria, Matt D., Melissa, Maria, Jamie, Jim V., Jim D., Bill, Freddy, Brian F., Brian O., Phil, Ken W., Rob, Ahbi, Paul G., and Scott -- nearly all kitted out in their signature black and blue, rolled out from Rise Up for 65 miles of mellow, steady cruising.For over three hours, a cheery and relaxed vibe pervaded the bunch. Even three punctures (all curiously originating from Pocomoke folks, but changed promptly and professionally) did little to dull the mood.
For the second year in a row, OVC helped host ABRT’s Church Creek Time Trial. The first of a two-race series was held on Saturday, notwithstanding the dismal forecast. Although it looked like we might escape with only a drizzle, Mother Nature provided a large dose of rain, wind, and cold right in the middle of prime racing time. OVC volunteers and racers were not deterred though!
This Saturday, seven OVC riders travelled across the bridge for the season’s most anticipated race: the Poolesville Road Race. The classic 10 mile course features rolling terrain, a short punchy climb, numerous turns and chicanes, and, of course, 1.3 miles of gravel. Although weather conditions were dry on race day, a week’s worth of rain left the gravel soggy and lined with puddles. Needless to say, road spray was a big factor, leaving racers and their machines covered with sticky, gray mud.
On Saturday, OVC rolled out of Evo with about 35 local cyclists for a 50 mile jaunt to support the American Diabetes Association and to promote the upcoming Tour de Cure. Lead by Matt M., the group kept a mostly conversational pace during the 2.5 hour ride. The rain held off until the last 5 miles, when the bunch experienced a light spritzing and a nasty little headwind.
Spring returned to Delmarva this week and OVC took advantage of it. About 17 riders -- Alex, Caleb, Bruce, Russ, Chris, Melissa, Scott H., Sonny, Dean S., Dean P., Roscoe, Ted, Kevin L-G, Frankie, Steve, Roscoe, and Sean -- rolled out of the church with a stiff 18 mph tailwind guiding them south.
The day after settling up with Uncle Sam, OVC headed up to Sussex County for 70 miles of endurance riding from the farm. 13 riders, Russ, Roscoe, Scott H., Scott A., Glenn, Marty, Bill, Jim V., Alex, Freddy, Mario, Jamie, and Barry, rolled on course at about 845AM. The group endured chilly temps early on, but this was offset by extremely calm conditions that made pedaling almost effortless.
OVC hit the road this weekend and headed up to Columbia, Md. for the Carl Dolan Memorial Spring Classic. 9 racers -- Sean, Brian F., Dean P., Mark, Roscoe, Alex, Sonny, Frankie, and Ted -- braved unseasonably chilly temps to participate in 5 separate events.
Unseasonably chilly temps didn't discourage 12 of OVC’s finest -- Dean P., Frankie, Sean, Mark, Roscoe, Alex, Sonny, Caleb, Chris, Bruce, Steve, and Brian -- from rolling out of the church for the season’s first extended version of the Tuesday Night Ride. With the thermometer reading in the low-40Fs, the bunch was bundled up like it was January.
This past Saturday OVC partnered with Team Korrageous to host a group ride from Specific Gravity to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and to enjoy a weekend morning of fun on two wheels. An estimated 20 plus riders rolled out of Specific Gravity to pedal their way through 50 miles consisting of Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties in less than ideal conditions. When it was all said and done the entire peloton finished the half century parcours “together” in 2:40:52 which was accomplished at a workman/womanlike average speed of 18.6 mph. Great ride everyone.
OVC Tuesday Night Ride openers always seem to draw a big crowd and this past Tuesday night was no exception. With a good mix of TNR rookies and veterans, 18 OVC riders would depart from the church in Fruitland and before the hammer was to go down, Bill H, Brian J, Caleb O, Mark L, Chris D, Dean P, Dean S, Jim D, Jim V, John J, Kevin L G, Roscoe, Russ, Sean S, Sonny, Steve, Scott H and Ted H would warm the lungs and legs for the first 3 miles of their 30 mile journey.
On Saturday, OVC kicked off the 2016 road racing season with the Tidewater Classic near Williamsburg, VA. Making the 3 hour drive south were a fine contingent of Eastern Shore riders, including Brian F., Steve J., Dean P., Alex, Frankie, Caleb, Matt P. and Roscoe. OVC had riders in every race and posted some solid results. Even better, everyone stayed rubber side down and had a great time.
Just on the heels of a great “B” ride on Saturday, OVC still managed to draw 18 riders on Sunday from 3rd Wave for their marquee “A” ride. Littered with some of OVC’s finest, the ride didn’t take long to get up to speed and after settling into a nice manageable pace, all 18 riders more than did their fair share of work throughout the 3 plus hour 60 mile ride.
A chilly start in late January did little to deter 19 riders from getting in 55 miles of pure tempo and just a little past a half past 10, 18 of the 19 starters (one abandoned do to a mechanical) set sail down Coulbourn Mill Rd. With the official start to the ride just past the 3 way at Coulbourn and Union Church, the Black n Blue Train was at full steam and as the field made its way down Whitesburg, speeds were already hovering around the 25 mph mark. Despite the brisk pace, all 18 were present and accounted for as they made their way onto the rough pavé Sand Rd.
Cool damp conditions did little to deter 13 riders from taking the start line this past Saturday from Specific Gravity. Up to the challenge of nearly 70 miles of tempo on wet roads and a nagging NW wind were Dean P, Roscoe, Bruce, Caleb, Glen, Brian F, Brian J, Kevin G, Maria, Jim B, Bill H, Ted and Russ. With a rather timely departure the field of 13 would suffer their first mechanical just 15 minutes into the ride. With the flat fixed in a jiffy, the group was back up to speed and hammering their way towards Powellville. Unfortunately one more puncture would halt the group’s momentum, but again the flat was fixed in no time and the group would set sail for their next destination located down the road in the town of Pittsville.
With a week of frigid temps, close to 30 riders grabbed their bikes and rolled out of Specific Gravity and took advantage of a warm and calm morning in early January. On tap Saturday for OVC/Culver & Pierson were 60 miles of tempo and possibly a fast finish on Johnson Rd. Making their way on course, the brisk pace would claim a few victims before the peloton even reached the crossroads.
After spending the Xmas holidays with their friends and family, OVC decided to get back down to the business of training on two wheels on Saturday. Once again blessed with temps more reserved for March, 18 riders would mount their trusted steeds to begin their high speed 50 mile march through the back roads of Wicomico and Somerset counties. The neutral rollout on Division would soon give way to the first green segment on Meadow Bridge Rd. Barely clearing the overpass on Meadow Bridge Rd, the ride leader would already have his hands full trying to pull back the reins on a select few. After a quick reminder of green segment protocol, order was restored and for the remainder of the MBR segment, the pace remained well within the prescribed moderate to up tempo parameters.
Thanks to everyone who rode and helped to organize the past six weeks of brewery rides.
We rode 362.3 miles in 5 counties with an average speed of about 19 mph. Of the 362.3 miles, only about 4 miles were ridden more than once.
We had between 20 and 90 riders at each ride with folks from Salisbury, Bishopville, Whalyville, Berlin, Pocomoke, Laurel, Millsboro, Lewes, Easton, Preston, Laurel, Delmar, Cambridge, Ocean City, and all points in between.
We sampled a number of impressive local brews, many of which are nationally recognized -- or soon will be!
We had fun, enjoyed some beautiful Delmarva days, and made some new friends along the way. Thanks, OVC!
OVC (complete with team tent) gettin ready to roll from Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, DE this past Saturday. We used the Dogfish Head Brewery as our start & end point. We combined a ride w/ giving back to the community. We raised money as well as 2 bins full of needed food for the Community Resource Center.
Thanks again to our Delaware contingent (Dave McCloy, Mike & Maryellen Morris, Eric Howard, Kenny Melesky, Shelley & Paul Tyrell, Fran Edge, Jamie Clousen, & Frank Massara) for hosting a great ride to help raise and promote a worthwhile cause. Looking forward to next year.
