Bimblers on a Roll

This was a very busy weekend for Bimblers, with races and other various and sundry endurance events taking place in multiple states, both near and far. The weekend’s premier event was, of course, Mr. Bimble’s performance at The Western States Endurance Run, but there were other Bimblers keeping busy as well
Photos, tweets, TXT messages, etc… already had the internet “tubes” clogged by mid-day Saturday as news poured in from the west coast regarding Mr. Bimble’s 100 mile effort at Western States. The news started good, and stayed good, and we look forward to much more BS once Mr. B and Guthrie are recovered. Congratulation Mr. Bimble, one down, three to go!

A couple of “quiet” races took place this weekend as well. While not quite “secret”, they were not “hyped” either…

Suds (aka Svelte?) went off to the Cranmore Climb, a brutal 2 loop mountain race in New Hampshire. If I have my facts straight, I believe this race was serving as the Americas (North and South) Mountain Racing Championship for 2009. Suds expected to “rub elbows” with many Mountain Gods. I have no doubt an excellent and detailed report will follow.

El Toro (aka Tennessee?) competed in the Pittsfield Death Race. Reports are that he did very well. ET participated in this race last year as well. He doesn’t talk too much about it for two obvious reasons:
1) He went back again, knowing what it was like. This is NOT something to be proud of!
2) The details are horrifying enough to curl your toes. Even world weary, battle hardened Bimblers need to be spared from hearing too much of the story.
We expect an “edited for television” account from El Toro soon.

The non-competitive endurance event of the weekend was our Bycimble at the New Haven Century ride. Participants included Ultra, IGGY, Jiffy, Clark, GaZelle, Allstate, Hardware, and me. Other faces familiar to some, were in attendance as well. Almost Bimbler BiL (ask Allstate and/or IGGY), a father/daughter team (I work with the father) who had the good sense to keep their distance, and a woman who came up from the city, and thought it might be fun(?) to ride along with us.

We set out shortly after eight through the mean streets of New Haven. The early Sunday silence in the heart of the hospital zone was shattered by shouts of “Hey, you’re going the wrong way”. Our fearless leader, who should remain nameless, so I will not tell you it was Ultra, ignored the shouts, and we Bimblers, like the lemmings we are, followed him. Soon enough, we made a U-turn, back by the smug shouters, humbly acknowledging the error of our ways.

Soon enough, we were riding along the beach in West Haven, enjoying the weather, the views, and the company. Our group split in two, just slightly, with the leaders clearly in view. When we got to Jimmy’s, which is the local version of Chowder Pot in Branford, the second group stopped for a traffic light and minor equipment issue. That is all it took for the breakaway to start, with Ultra, Jiffy, BiL, and some others pulling away from us, the self-appointed peloton. Once we restarted, Clark suggested that I take the lead. I assumed that included setting the pace, and I began to reel in the breakaway. Unfortunately, I did not notice that the peloton did not follow. No matter, we all regrouped, after passing by the House of Zell, at the first aid station at Cafe Atlantique in downtown Milford. Special note was made of both the quality and quantity of the PB&J and Oreos. Bathrooms rated highly as well. Some of our group headed back on the “short route” after this stop.

We set out again, with Ultra and Jiffy clearly feeling the need for speed. Other than a phone call, that was the last contact I would have with them during the ride. Some others entered and exited our group, but there was a core, as best I can remember, of Clark, IGGY, Hardware, me, and the unnicknamed woman from Brooklyn. We left the shore and headed into “hill country”. Clark and I labored up one significant hill, and shortly thereafter a long smooth stretch of straight slightly downhill road presented itself and inspired me. It mattered not at all that this was not part of the course. Eventually, Clark caught me and eventually, but not for quite a while, we realized that I had led us astray. We eventually tired of waiting for Hardware and IGGY to catch up, so Clark called Hardware. The report was that IGGY had had a minor problem (see photos) so we sped back to assist. Many miles and hills later, Clark and I realized that we had gone past the point where we had all been together. How could we have missed them? Oh, we missed them because they were on the actual, official route, whereas we were not… So, we turned around and tried to follow the official route. Along the way, we found a pair of cyclists who were ready to quit due to multiple bike problems. Fortunately, as many of you know, I carry a myriad of “goodies” in my backpack, and I was able to provide all the necessary “parts” to get them back on the road.

Clark and I continued to “chase down” IGGY and Hardware through the hill country, and I took us off course again! Finally, we both agreed it would be best if I followed. I called IGGY, who along with Hardware and, hmm, let’s call her BB (Brooklyn Biker), were comfortably resting at Wentworth’s Ice Cream, and asked her if they could wait for us. They acquiesced, for which Clark and I were grateful, as we never would have caught them otherwise. We then rode through some beautiful countryside in Woodbridge, where there appear to be trail running opportunities, on the way to Wentworth’s.

Finally, after the ladies waited for several hours (?) for Clark and me, we were all re-united. Except of course, for Ultra and Jiffy, who by then were in the mountains of Wallingford. We all, not at all grudgingly, agreed that we could head back to New Haven and complete the 43 mile loop, which is what we did. Hardware took us on the scenic tour, by her house. While she was hoping someone would suggest taking a break to mow the lawn, no such offer was made, so we moved on. At that point, Hardware found that magic, elusive gear. All bikes have this seemingly mythical gear, but few cyclist can reliably find it. We all did our best to chase her, to no avail.

We arrived, triumphantly, at the New Haven Green to a cheering throng (a new nickname for Allstate?). No sign of any “officials” present at all. Fortunately, IGGY was able to “check us in” with her shiny new toy, the iPhone 3Gs.

Shortly thereafter, Ultra (and supposedly Jiffy) returned from their 62(?) mile ride. Our group then proceeded to The Playwright for “sustenance”. A pleasant outdoor table from which we could watch our bikes provided for a leisurely discussion of the day’s events. Eventually, we all departed in various stages: Allstate, GaZelle, Ultra, Hardware, Clark… Both BB and I left shortly after Mr. Wonderful arrived, with whom IGGY proceeded to a second lunch.

Having missed my 2PM train home, I took the 100 mile route, backwards, to Branford. I “crossed paths” with several cyclists completing the full century. Maybe next time…

All photos Copyright © 2009 Cathi Bosco. All Rights Reserved.