Bright, sunny skies and moderate temperatures brought out a nice showing for the Sunday Flashers out and back, 45+ miles training ride.  Several members from Joe’s Bicycles (Indianapolis)  came down.  Also, local squads DRT, Mob Squad, Speedway and Scholars Inn Bakehouse were represented. 

It was shaping up like a typical frigid winter training day.  It was Saturday and  don’t always participate in the noon team ride, usually selecting Sunday as the weekend day that I will bear the wrath of the family for checking out for several hours.  But today’s course was appealing as it generally worked its way back past my house after about 30 miles.  The course actually went longer, via Paragon, but I had planned to go south after Anderson and Old 37.  The dishes in the sink can wait.

Some may say that riding the same course is tedious, but I am of a different mindset.  Not that I disagree completely with my colleagues on the bike, as Bloomington offers many choices for ride selection. What I like about the same course each Sunday is that you know what’s in store and the focus is on your performance.  Also, to be fair, the Flashers is a relatively safe, well known route, often with broad shoulders that has a little bit of everything; long, steady climbs, windy expanses, long flat stretches where the chase group can see the leaders for long periods of time.  And, in the event of wet, cold and inclement weather, numerous bailout points (turn-arounds).