Conference noted::bicycle

2097.0. "Indian Mound Century" by SHALOT::ELLIS (John Lee Ellis - assembly required) Tue Oct 01 1991 16:09

    
    Here's a small note on the Charlotte Tarheels' Fall Century last Sunday
    the 29th.  Nothing remarkable like Chip's snowplow Merlin antics. ;-)
    Just a nice ride.
    
    The Tarheels put on 100-mile and 50-mile loops.  Probably 40 people
    did the Century - divided into sub-five-hour rabid racers and leisurely
    tourists, with few people in between.  
    
    It was a splendid day: 50�-83� with brilliant sun.  The route went
    east (yes, returning west) so we got plenty of that sun.  It was Nelson
    Frazier's (local veteran fanatic) Indian Mound Century, originally
    a 135-mile loop he'd lead in June, a sure-fire toasty experience.
    
    The Indian Mound is an American Native hill fort/burial tumulus
    in the Uwharrie Mountains, bordering the Carolina Sandhills.  It is a
    state park (and reststop #2, mile 48).
    
    The course is a far-reaching loop, about 3 notable climbs, otherwise just
    rolling.  (Two of these notable climbs are preceded by stomach-in-throat
    freefall descents.)
    
    The front pack took an early lead, all wearing shorts, short sleeve
    jerseys, and gossamer "alte luce" warm-up jackets.  I was peeling off
    clothes all day (two jerseys, windjacket, tights, cap).  I was in
    the second group for a while, moved on up to a space in between,
    and caught a racer who'd been slowed down by a crash in the front pack.
    He had lost a rear spoke, but his Merlin was doing fine none the less.
    
    We reached the Indian Mound stop as the first group was about to pull
    out - they'd stopped about 10 minutes.  I stopped to peel off some 
    clothes and proceeded the rest of the way alone - which kind of
    lessened the appeal of a club ride (namely, riding with people).
    
    For me, the 100 miles took 5:16, which was an ok time for me... 
    the front pack naturally came in well under five hours, giving them 
    more time for lounging about and refreshing themselves in the sun.  
    From what I hear, most everybody had a similar good time - a balmy way 
    to end September. (I managed 180 for the day as a whole, and didn't 
    regret a bit of it, in that weather.)
    
    -john