Today's Players
Mitch (Points Marshal), Lee, Jim, Doug, Jack, Selwyn, Phil, Brian, Stoffel.

The first hill climb on River Road - the shorter steep one - went to Stoffel

3 Points Stoffel

Stoffel set a blistering pace that blew the field apart. Brian hung with him for a little while but eventually fell off the lead pace followed by Jim. Stoffel was the first to the finish line.

5 Points Stoffel

After explaining to Brian multiple times that the State Line sign (about twenty feet wide and ten feet high) was the finish line for the State Line Sprint Points the group was off. There was a two man paceline (easy pace) while strategy was whispered back and forth between riders. An attack by Brian, Jim, Mitch and Doug at the highway turnoff was quickly reeled in (I blame Brian) and the pack roared down the hill together toward the uphill finish. Brian attacked again, was caught easily (total attack time - 3 seconds) and the field blew toward the finish. The bunch sprint finish went to Doug who raised his hands a little early but Marshal Mitch gave it to him anyway.

5 Points Doug

Jack 1 point (because we like him)

Jim turned back as he had an appointment to get his nails done. Brian almost crashed the entire field because he pulled over to take a look at Mitch's cue sheet (I feel really bad about that, by the way) and Mitch had us ride in a complete 5 mile circle returning us to the Mountain House Restaurant (commercial break - The Mountain House is owned by my family - My cousin Joe - great pizza - end commercial break)

We doubled back to Route 303 and continued into the northerly headwind for several miles before entering the Tweed/Bradley. (Miscellaneous factoid - The Blauvelt Diner has great breakfasts. I know this because I grew up about a mile from it). The climb up Bradley was easy. I don't know if points were awarded but if they were they would go to Stoffel but credit should be given to Jamie's Dad Selwyn - The Thunder From Down Under - who was riding like a cycling god on the wrong side of the road.

Wait a minute - "Cycling God On The Wrong Side of the Road" – Led Zeppelin song correct? Never mind...

The hill up Tweed was in fact that first Bradley Tweed summit for the big points. These went to Selwyn because he led the group down the first Bradley Mountain and he is the mountain man from down under.

8 Points Selwyn

Once again we came to a T intersection with no idea where to go. Our ride marshal/captain pulled out his invaluable cue sheet and had us double back to the Tweed climb. The beginning of the climb was started with a sharp left hand turn by Mitch. His break was reeled in. Stoffel (surprise surprise - Bastard!!) set an early pace but had to contend with the attack by Brian (clear double line violation by Brian - 20 pt. deduction). Brian was dropped like a hot potato, passed by Stoffel (who definitely threw a 'LOOK' back over his shoulder) and then sailed off into the ascent.

5 Points Stoffel

On Clausland, Lee and Stoffie eyed each other warily and casually approached the last climb. Doug and Mitch tried a sneak attack picking up speed on the downhill leading up to the last bump. Stoffie was having none of it and clipped past Lee. There was some confusion on what actually constituted the summit and the points for Clausland were awarded to Lee because Stoffel was too nonchalant and already had too many.

6 Points Lee

At this point Brian had to take off as our ride reporter and Mitch continues:

We stopped in Piermont bike shop so Lee could talk some smack with the guys behind the counter. Everybody thought about what they needed to buy next. In my case it was hot chocolate because I was quickly developing hypothermia. Snacks were munched at the coffee shop.

Bang out of the coffee shop I make a half hearted stab at the foot of Tallman Hill only to be instantly depressed by the screaming coming from my thighs. Stoffie once again sets the pace with Lee and Doug in tow. Stoffie easily picks off another 5 points. We then turn left on 9W. Stoffie keeps going like the Eveready Battery to State Line. I didn't see it, but I assume he picked up another 5 points.

5 Points Stoffel

After State Line I decided I need to use my cunning if I am going to win any points. Half way to Alpine Road I turn to Doug and feign confusion. "Uh, isn't Lee way up ahead? Didn't he break for State line?" Doug feigns as if he's listening to me. Maybe he didn't even hear. Then Stoffel queries whether he should turn back to find out what happened to Lee, Jack and the others. I immediately agree Stoffel should turn back. Then after sucking Doug's wheel for a mile or so, I move up front. Selwyn asks me where to go next and I tell him that the next sprint is about 100 meters in front of him. I tell him this over my shoulder as I am sprinting unchallenged away from him past Alpine Road.

5 Points Wile E. Coyote

5 Points Doug

We whip our way onto the Terrace. Stoffel, still stinging from getting clipped by Doug at CNBC, decides to put it away on the little branch encumbered climb.

5 Points Stoffel

All in all a fantastically fun time. Great energy and a great workout. Final results:

Stoffel 23 Points and Winner Overall and KOM

Doug 10 Point and Winner Sprinters Competition

Selwyn 8 Points and Winner Best Kiwi and Great Guy Competition

Lee 6 Points and Winner Best Looking Competition

Wile E. Coyote 5 Points and Winner Most Sneaky Competition

Honorable mentions to Phil, Jack, Brian and Jim for allowing the rest of us the honor of their presence ;)