The Big Steamer Is Decided
The atmosphere was electric in the depot Tuesday evening as the large group prepared for the most important ride of the season. For on this night the Corinth Cycling Crit Champion would be crowned. Big Rick and The Boss are tied for the overall lead and would be battling for the coveted Big Steamer jersey. The weather conditions on this night were perfect with temperatures in the low 70’s, light easterly winds and sunny skies. The peloton rolled over I-35 onto the battlefield and rattled down Corinth Parkway at a steady 22mph clip. The train turned north onto Shady Shores road and the pace ratcheted up to 24mph. Dan the Man came to the front and lead the group across Dead Man’s Slough. They turned into Ceilo Ranch and The Wrench jumped onto the front, turning the screws just a little tighter. Arriving at the bottom of the Col de Shady Shores, it was Gruppo compatto as the trek to the top began. Flyboy was on the front now as the rest of combatants sought the shelter of a wheel. Towards the top, Big Rick and The Boss moved to the front and went over the snow less peak together, setting the stage for things to come. Once over the top, they turned towards Cowpattie Hill and Dan The Man again made an appearance at the front, driving the boys down the road. Without question. Dan has to be the most improved rider in the Corinth Cycling Club this year. In just one summer of riding with the group, Dan was able to increase his average speed from 16mph to almost 20mph on the weeknight route. Fourteen miles into the ride now and the group is still all together. They head up Cowpattie Hill and The Boss jumps off the front trying to see who is riding well and who might be throwing in the towel. They crest Cowpattie at 24mph and everyone is riding. It is obvious now that this is going to be a group sprint. The Boss takes one more salvo off the front but Big Rick and Thrasher are lurking and reel him back in. Heading down Shady Shores road and The Wrench and Thrasher launch an attack. The pace is now almost 26mph, lungs are gasping and hearts are pumping as the breakaway is not allowed to get away. They turn south towards Dead’s Man Slough and The Cornbread King launches a vicious attack. The Wrench and Big Rick are on the front and decide to let him go. King has a 75 yard gap and looks impressive. Would he be able to hold it? Not so much. The pace is to high and The Cornbread King is unable to ward off the field. They pounce on the rabbit and make a quick stew of him as he is spit out the back. They turn west now onto Dobbs and Thrasher steady’s the pace at 22mph. The moment has finally arrived and they turn onto Corinth Parkway preparing for the moment of truth. Thrasher stays on the front as pedals are now being turned in anger. They turn west and are heading into the setting sun with a slight crosswind. The speed is now 25mph with Thrasher still on the front, Big Rick on his wheel, The Boss just behind riding alongside Stewie. They are about ½ mile to the finish now and The Boss knows it isn’t his night. What should he do? If he sits on he knows he doesn’t have the legs to win a sprint finish. If he jumps now it will be suicide because of the distance to the line. The Boss pushes all his chips to the center of the table and jumps. The speed is now 32mph and it hurts. Big Rick is coming as is Scooter, Stewie and Jack the Ripper. The Boss has effectively reduced the sprint field to five strong. 500 yards to pay dirt and The Boss looks back which is never a good sign. He has popped like grandpa’s pants after a Thanksgiving meal. Big Rick fly’s past with Stewie, Scooter and The Ripper hanging on. The Boss tries to hold their wheel but is now wearing the mask of pain. His dream of the championship is no more. But there is still a sprint to decide and the boys aren’t taking any prisoners this night. Big Rick radios his engine room and asks for more power. The Ripper, just a month removed from his spectacular crash, is hanging around like a dog under a picnic table. The finish line is just 50 meters away now and Big Rick and The Ripper are engaged in a duel. They hit the rise to the finish line and The Ripper is pumping those pistons he calls legs. He puts his head down, lights a fire cracker and crashes the party for the victory. Big Rick has taken second and Scooter finishes a strong third. A dejected Boss rolls in 10 yards back in 5th place. With his second place finish, Rick Phillips has taken the Corinth Cycling Crit Championship and is now the holder of the “Big Steamer” jersey. He will be presented with his jersey this week and will be able to wear it until the next champion is crowned in Fall 2008. Thanks to everyone who showed up and took part in our fun afternoon rides this season. Final Corinth Cycling Crit Standings: Big Rick - 28 points The Boss -26 points Dice - 12 points The Cannibal - 11 points Hollywood - 8 points Flyboy - 5 points Thrasher Tim - 5 points Scooter - 5 points Gentle Ben - 3 points Jack The Ripper – 3 points Tornado Tom - 3 points Gramps - 2 points The Wrench - 2 points Stewie - 2 points
The long incline to the sprint finish. The Visitor Parking sign is the official finish line.
The atmosphere was electric in the depot Tuesday evening as the large group prepared for the most important ride of the season. For on this night the Corinth Cycling Crit Champion would be crowned. Big Rick and The Boss are tied for the overall lead and would be battling for the coveted Big Steamer jersey. The weather conditions on this night were perfect with temperatures in the low 70’s, light easterly winds and sunny skies. The peloton rolled over I-35 onto the battlefield and rattled down Corinth Parkway at a steady 22mph clip. The train turned north onto Shady Shores road and the pace ratcheted up to 24mph. Dan the Man came to the front and lead the group across Dead Man’s Slough. They turned into Ceilo Ranch and The Wrench jumped onto the front, turning the screws just a little tighter. Arriving at the bottom of the Col de Shady Shores, it was Gruppo compatto as the trek to the top began. Flyboy was on the front now as the rest of combatants sought the shelter of a wheel. Towards the top, Big Rick and The Boss moved to the front and went over the snow less peak together, setting the stage for things to come. Once over the top, they turned towards Cowpattie Hill and Dan The Man again made an appearance at the front, driving the boys down the road. Without question. Dan has to be the most improved rider in the Corinth Cycling Club this year. In just one summer of riding with the group, Dan was able to increase his average speed from 16mph to almost 20mph on the weeknight route. Fourteen miles into the ride now and the group is still all together. They head up Cowpattie Hill and The Boss jumps off the front trying to see who is riding well and who might be throwing in the towel. They crest Cowpattie at 24mph and everyone is riding. It is obvious now that this is going to be a group sprint. The Boss takes one more salvo off the front but Big Rick and Thrasher are lurking and reel him back in. Heading down Shady Shores road and The Wrench and Thrasher launch an attack. The pace is now almost 26mph, lungs are gasping and hearts are pumping as the breakaway is not allowed to get away. They turn south towards Dead’s Man Slough and The Cornbread King launches a vicious attack. The Wrench and Big Rick are on the front and decide to let him go. King has a 75 yard gap and looks impressive. Would he be able to hold it? Not so much. The pace is to high and The Cornbread King is unable to ward off the field. They pounce on the rabbit and make a quick stew of him as he is spit out the back. They turn west now onto Dobbs and Thrasher steady’s the pace at 22mph. The moment has finally arrived and they turn onto Corinth Parkway preparing for the moment of truth. Thrasher stays on the front as pedals are now being turned in anger. They turn west and are heading into the setting sun with a slight crosswind. The speed is now 25mph with Thrasher still on the front, Big Rick on his wheel, The Boss just behind riding alongside Stewie. They are about ½ mile to the finish now and The Boss knows it isn’t his night. What should he do? If he sits on he knows he doesn’t have the legs to win a sprint finish. If he jumps now it will be suicide because of the distance to the line. The Boss pushes all his chips to the center of the table and jumps. The speed is now 32mph and it hurts. Big Rick is coming as is Scooter, Stewie and Jack the Ripper. The Boss has effectively reduced the sprint field to five strong. 500 yards to pay dirt and The Boss looks back which is never a good sign. He has popped like grandpa’s pants after a Thanksgiving meal. Big Rick fly’s past with Stewie, Scooter and The Ripper hanging on. The Boss tries to hold their wheel but is now wearing the mask of pain. His dream of the championship is no more. But there is still a sprint to decide and the boys aren’t taking any prisoners this night. Big Rick radios his engine room and asks for more power. The Ripper, just a month removed from his spectacular crash, is hanging around like a dog under a picnic table. The finish line is just 50 meters away now and Big Rick and The Ripper are engaged in a duel. They hit the rise to the finish line and The Ripper is pumping those pistons he calls legs. He puts his head down, lights a fire cracker and crashes the party for the victory. Big Rick has taken second and Scooter finishes a strong third. A dejected Boss rolls in 10 yards back in 5th place. With his second place finish, Rick Phillips has taken the Corinth Cycling Crit Championship and is now the holder of the “Big Steamer” jersey. He will be presented with his jersey this week and will be able to wear it until the next champion is crowned in Fall 2008. Thanks to everyone who showed up and took part in our fun afternoon rides this season. Final Corinth Cycling Crit Standings: Big Rick - 28 points The Boss -26 points Dice - 12 points The Cannibal - 11 points Hollywood - 8 points Flyboy - 5 points Thrasher Tim - 5 points Scooter - 5 points Gentle Ben - 3 points Jack The Ripper – 3 points Tornado Tom - 3 points Gramps - 2 points The Wrench - 2 points Stewie - 2 points
The long incline to the sprint finish. The Visitor Parking sign is the official finish line.
The Yellow Train snakes through Cielo Ranch
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Jack The Ripper laying down the law
The Boss attacks up Cowpattie Hill
Legs prepare for battle
Dan The Man leads the train down Corinth Parkway
Rick is all smiles after receiving the coveted 'Big Steamer' jersey.