Yesterday was the second New Jersey shore ride of 2004. It was sparsely attended due to the threatening weather, leaving only the heavyweights. (By heavyweight, I mean actual pounds, with the average weight of the riders present being over 220 lbs.) I admit to myself almost backing out because with over an hour drive to reach the start, the weather forecasts were speaking of 70% chance of showers! Luckily the forecasts were wrong and the light attendance was quite a pity because the ride itself was great and the weather could hardly have been better. Apart from the few drops that fell as we left the golf club parking lot, the ride was dry the whole way with very pleasant temperatures (low 70's).
The ride itself led us through a number of lovely residential areas before ending up on the shore where the spring ride took place. This ride along the shore turned out to be the start of perhaps the most challenging stretch with a very strong headwind, followed immediately by the climb up in the Atlantic Highlands. Upon reaching the summit of Mount Mitchell, we made a short stop at the vista point and were able to observe the New York skyline in the gray overcast distance. We then had a great downhill ride along a winding scenic road.
All told the ride was just over 30 miles. I would like to thank Tom for organizing his second New Jersey ride of the year. I would also like to take this opportunity to also ask that all those interested in a ride in Southern New Jersey put aside Sunday the 22nd of August for a ride that I hope to organize. The ride will definitely be fixed gear friendly, as there are no hills within 20 miles of my home in New Jersey (I won't count highway overpasses.) I'll give more information as we approach the actual date.
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Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ