Feb 20/21 - out for a ride

The first ride was to pickup the X5.  As usual, Fields BMW disappointed.  The car was supposed to be ready by noon and finally I called at 2pm only to find that Kelly was out for the day; called in sick.

The lady told me that Service would call me back with a status because the paperwork wasn't awaiting.

So ... close to 3pm, I called again.  Still not complete; I said that I needed to pick up the car and would head out.  She said that they'd call back within a half-hour.  She put me on hold repeatedly and then was finally waiting for "Tony" to pick up, more hold time.  Guess what; that phone call lasted for most of the half hour.  Guess what ?  I was still waiting for Tony but said no, I'm heading out to pick up the car.

I got there and another lady said that Tony was finishing up the paperwork.  I cooled my heels in the waiting area for another half-hour.  I then wandered out and found that Tony was on the phone.  The paperwork was sitting by him.  I waited until he hung up and then knocked on his window.  Would he have ever come out to see me in the waiting room ?  By this time it was 4:30. 

Song and dance man Tony said that they were short-staffed yadda yadda yadda.  We talked about Philly, where he used to live, having recognized my 610 area code.  Yadda yadda yadda.  I said that they are always understaffed, is my observation, and if they would stop giving out free coffee, soft drinks, bagels and ice cream bars and hired more staff, it would probably make people happier ... or at least me !

Anyway, he then said that I needed a new throttle body.  Yes, says I, that's what I told Kelly and we just had to go through the usual diagnostics so that they could put it through the extended warranty.  Ugh.  Of course he didn't have any of that information.  There's also a recall, non advertised, that I need -- a new drive shaft.   It's been set aside for me and that will be undertaken at the same time.  On Monday they'll sort out the extended warranty. 

I drove home.  Sandy hadn't waited for all this; come what may, I was going to be driving something home.

I packed myself and the car for the bike ride.

Up at 3:30 am, I was out by 4am and to the bike ride about 4:10.  There was frost, surprise surprise.   The difference this day was that the frost wouldn't last long.

Shortly into the ride, I dropped off the peloton.  It was a large group, almost 40 riders.  At the first Control, top of Sugarloaf Mountain (not really a mountain but a pretty good hill), I caught them up and rode off before some stragglers had left.  So at that point there were 4-6 people behind me.  A Control or two later, which saw me catch some stragglers and them leave before me, most of that large group (20?) had stopped for a flat.  I made sure that they were ok and rode on, expecting them to catch me before the turnaround point.  Nope.

This was an out-and-back.  About 8 miles before the turnaround, Keith and Ruth on their tandem were heading back.  Two more together and then Don Gramling by himself.  I made quick work at the turnaround, a Naked Fruit smoothie, and headed out, into the wind.  The pack had arrived just as I was leaving.

I saw that pack at the second to last Control; they came in as I was leaving.  The pack was now down to 6 riders.  I saw them again as I rode back down Sugarloaf; we hit that both times; but finished up fifth ?  Something like that, sixth if you count the tandem as two.  The much diminished pack came in as I was having some mac-n-cheese. 

I had three or four of those naked fruit yesterday.  They are filling, have no sugar added and provide good energy.  Their only drawback is that they are expensive, usually about $3.25 each.  I think that I had three of them, two V8's and 3/4 of a water bottle.  Yes, I know, not enough fluid.  I also had 4-5 gels and an organic nut bar.  Yes, I know, not enough calories.  

I was back home a little about 9:40 and had some proper supper; Sandy had done a stir fry with substantial leftovers. 

The day had started out on the cool side and warmed up but then clouded over so it never really did get hot.  I was down to my jersey -- the wool one -- and re-donned the long sleeves and reflective vest at sundown.  Head cap, full fingered gloves and leg warmers plus the heavy jacket stayed stowed from the morning. 

It was a good ride.  I probably pushed myself more than usual as I actually ending up with a higher average speed over 300km than I usually end up with after 100km on local rides.  There's something about having that pack ahead or behind you that spurs you to greater efforts .... I was the breakaway ... were they going to reel me in ?  I was sure that they would but they didn't.

Today we head to Palm Beach for dinner with Phil and Maria.  We'll be back tomorrow in time for boating; taking advantage of a couple of very nice days, weather wise, in a row.

Onward !