Coldest Dam Ride Revisited

[ted]

This is a ride that used to happen on the first day of the New Year "back in the day". It starts at the welcome center at Clarks Hill Lake (aka Lake Thurmond for those of you who must call it that), and circles the lake in a counter clockwise fashion.
The route is the same as the "Best Dam Ride" that Chain Reaction holds every year.
Most of the time it's pretty cold which makes it an extra bit of a challenge and is the whole point of the ride. It's just another way to hone your suffering skills.
If there is enough interest, I'll post details as to when and who and etc....
If my suspicions are correct, almost nobody will be interested in this because it's too cold, I'm hung over, I'm not a road rider.... However, I'm on a one man mission to keep the tradition alive before it is lost forever.
Don't make me do it alone please, because I will.

[wooglin]

I'm interested but I'll be in New Hampshire. Does that count as a suitably lame excuse?

I'm actually kind of bummed, because over here we've got a new year's day century tradition. Great way to start the year.

[seenvic]

My goal is to never ride a road bike again at any point in my life.

So no.

[ted]

seenvic said:

My goal is to never ride a road bike again at any point in my life.

So no.

No shite Sherlock!!!
So we'll talk about you selling me that cross bike you have then eh?

I'll bet you're up for a New Years Day connector aren't you?

[Angela]

Ted I'll stick this in this month's newsletter since some folks don't read the forum and you never know. There are quite a few serious road riders in the SORBA-CSRA so if they will be back in town you might have saved this dying tradition!

[ted]

Thanks Angela, This was supposed to be a simple poll with yes or no or maybe answers. However it doesn't seem to be going that way.
I know that Outspokin has a ride on New Years Day, but I thought this would be a more "laid back" ride with a change of scenery. It really gets boring riding out in Beech Island all the time.
once again, thanks.

[seenvic]

[/quote]
No shite Sherlock!!!
So we'll talk about you selling me that cross bike you have then eh?

I'll bet you're up for a New Years Day connector aren't you?[/quote]

Connector? Naw man, I'm going on the Outspokin' ride.

Now, about the cross bike. Think it will fit you? I'd sell it. I'm in a selling mood these days. Ibis....for sale (maybe sold). Another thing I got to sell is an XL Wool jersey. 100% Marino Wool, never worn. Just too big for me. It's nice. It's blue...kinda that Carolina blue, but a little darker. Not quite as ghey as Tar Heel blue. I have one just like that fits great....not sure why/how I got an XL. Interested....let me know.

[type1troy]

Todd definitely could use 1 more cross bike! Are you having a consolidation Bill? Ibis sold? That's nuts!
Anyhow, I'm up for the ride Ted. Gots to be slow and steady, base miles.
See y'all at 11 today!

[susan]

Sounds like fun. I'm not sure if I could make it the whole way. I've been off the bike for over 3 months now. Might be a good way to get back in the saddle (with a lot of pain)!

[ted]

susan said:

Sounds like fun. I'm not sure if I could make it the whole way. I've been off the bike for over 3 months now. Might be a good way to get back in the saddle (with a lot of pain)!

Thanks Susan. If you can ride once or twice a week for the rest of the month for about an hour, you should be able to do it without too much pain.
I'm expecting the pace to be around 15-16 mph. No one will be left behind.
Like me, I know you have the ambition. However, common sense seems to spaek a little louder. If you can't, there's always next year.
Hope to see you at the meeting.
Todd

[Robf]

Count me in for the ride, Ted. I need to get to the point where I can catch Bryan "don't call me Floyd Landis" Bigsby. Just kidding Bryan! You're riding good. And by the way, The Silk Ti is Sold.

[ted]

seenvic said:

Another thing I got to sell is an XL Wool jersey. 100% Marino Wool, never worn. Just too big for me. It's nice. It's blue...kinda that Carolina blue, but a little darker. Not quite as ghey as Tar Heel blue. I have one just like that fits great....not sure why/how I got an XL. Interested....let me know.



Wool? Heck yeah!! I'll try it next time we get together. Wool is the sheeps schnizzle.

[azdrawdy]

Kinda off topic here, but since you brought up wool...

seenvic turned me on to Steepandcheap.com a month or so ago, and they have been getting a pretty large quantity of my paychecks since then. They constantly offer wool jerseys/socks/shirts/etc. for crazy prices. I have picked up a dozen or so Smartwool items at 70-80% off msrp.

You are correct, wool is all that and a bag of chips...

[ted]

Here are the tentative details:
Monday January 1:
1. Meet at Welcome Center on SC side of the dam @ 8:45am.
2. 9:00am or so- Ride couter clockwise around lake at 14-16 mph pace
3. Don't talk about racing, don't think about racing, and no racing.

BYO everything. Nothing will be supplied by anyone.

[ted]

By the way, I think we're planning on going to Hot Foods By Calvin afterwards.

PS Post 100 for me. It only took 3 years.

[ted]

Final notice:
Meet @ 8:30-8:45
Leave by 9:00
Ride @ 14-16 mph average.

Phil has spread the word about the ride and will possibly be a SAG wagon guy for us.
As of right now
I'm only counting on me, T-roy, Robf??? (are you still going?), and maybe one other person.

If you don't want to do this ride or feel like doing a faster paced ride, you can do the "That Other Damn Ride" with the Outspokin' crew. They are leaving at 9:00 from the shop.

Robf, email me.
Todd

[Angela]

I'm planning to go while D watches bowl games as a commitment to riding for 2007. I'd like a general preview of the route if possible because I suspect I will be very, very slow tomorrow so I don't want to be out there wandering around trying to find my way

[tryin]

I'm in, maybe one more.

[ted]

You should check it out on the map, but here are the directions without mileage.
Please keep in mind this is a non-affiliated, unorganized ride. There are no maps and there is no support. You are on your own if you ride faster or slower than me or everyone else.
This isn't specifically for you Angela as I know you can read a map; rather it's for anyone else watching these posts.
Phil "may" help and there "might" still be directional markings on the road.
I'm not sure of the mileage, but it's around 60-65.

1. LEFT out of parking lot
2. LEFT onto Hwy28 toward Plum Branch
3. LEFT onto SC-S-33-30
4. LEFT onto SC-S-33-44
5. LEFT onto Hwy378 into the state of Georgia
6. LEFT onto Hwy 220 (Be aware that at the 4-way stop you encounter on this section, Hwy220 turns right)
7. LEFT onto Hwy 47 (road leading to Pollards Corner)
8. RIGHT onto Ray Owens Rd (the only right you'll make all day)
9. LEFT onto Cobbham Rd which leads to Pollards Corner
10. LEFT @ 4-way stop onto Hwy221 (Jake Pollard Hwy) This leads back across the dam to the parking lot.

I highly recommend looking at a map or on Google Earth tonight.
Google Earth is pretty cool if you've never used it.

[susan]

I think I am in as long as it is not raining. Angela and I will ride sweep ;D

Thanks for the directions. Hopefully we will not get lost!