The Road Apple Roubaix has come and gone once more, and left us with memories of probably the most “spring like” day yet. Makes one think that the Vernal Equinox might not be just a fig newton of our imaginations. Beautiful morning to be out riding, and lots of the riders seemed to be having a fine time and enjoying our historic/picturesque village.. After being perhaps a little apprehensive about the prospects, what with some of the dire weather possibilities, it turned out to be just fine and the rain even held off until considerably later; no thunderstorms for us.
I was impressed by the sponsorships and their continuing support. You got the usual–Mountain Road Cycles, Right Path Massage & Fitness,Eddie’s Bike Shop, Double Wing Brewery, Blue Moon, And you’ve got some “off the wall” contributors to the Chinese auction array, like Roughneck Gravel Roubaix (Coal Country), Questionable Edition, Holy Crap Survival Kit, Group Ride Apology,Loud Courage, Vitamin C You at Noon (I think that was an invitation to the post-ride festivities at Slim & Jumbos’s), Jimmy’s Street Ranch, Indoor Training Survival Kit, Liquid Courage Kit, Gear Up. And then there were the themes and memes :”Bikes Are Wheelie Fun”, “Gravel Goonies Never Say Die.”:
Speaking of which– the theme this year revolved around the ‘80’s–mostly stuff I’d never heard of, since I did not have a TV for most of that time. Couldn’t tell you any shows of songs from that era at all.
Oh, and there were folks from all over here to take part in the event, clubs and individuals : Blue Sky Bicycling, Ohio Cycle Works, Hay Wire, Recovery Ride Carbload, Fat Head Beer, Summit FreeWheelers, somebody from Vermont (Don’t think he biked all of the way here.).
There were some cool bikes up for a raffle, I think. There was one iem on the Chinese auction table that had a sign reading “Smells Like FTP. Please use Immediately”. I have no clue what that means and would appreciate a translation at some point. If it turns out to be at least borderline-acceptable fo a family paper, I will pass it on. If not, I’ll just chuckle to myself, Okay.
There were at least two gentlemen there celebrating their sixtieth birthdays and they had a cheering section there with sounds and sirens and banners to mark the occasion. Don’t know if they got sung to in Slim & Jumbo’s after the ride.
Far as I know, there was only one rider who went down but our top-notch Community EMS was right on it up on Ryder Road.
Heckuva day. Look for them to come back next year–first Saturday in March–rain or shine, come hell or high water (We’ve come kinda close once or twice), right after the Full Worm Moon.
Crocuses are coming up!
