Lucky To the Rescue! (and a ride for Walter)

Weekend Training
Provided to us by Martin Edited/Modified and published with permission by Lynn and Joy

Lynn’s training schedule had been getting tougher the last few weekends, with back to back 100-milers July 26 & 27, back to back 120 milers Aug 2 & 3, and then back to back 150 milers the weekend of Aug 9&10.

Those of you who know Lynn, will not be surprised to hear that it is difficult to get her to talk about her training rides or to search more vigorously for riding partners.

Her Saturday ride started from her house at about 5:45am in the complete darkness that encompasses that hour this time of the year. With her rear "blinkie" in full operation, she set out to meet "Lucky" at the Finley YMCA about three miles from her house. No traffic.

At the Y, Lucky, who recently completed the Lake Placid Ironman in under 11 hours and a bonus riding partner, Mark wear waiting. Mark is a fairly regular Y riding partner and CNC riding partner from last fall.

The intrepid trio headed out on Six forks Rd across I-540 and points north. All "blinkies" were in operation. Sometime before reaching Franklinton, the "blinkies" were retired for the day, and Lynn’s cycling computer stared acting up, actually blinking at her. They turned around upon reaching US-1 just west of Franklinton and headed back toward Raleigh where Lynn’s computer finally died. Lynn didn’t care much about speed only the odometer reading—how else was she to be sure she was not cheating on her training schedule?!

Lucky to the rescue! He offered Lynn his wireless cycling computer for the weekend, or longer if she needed it. They stopped at the Stoney Hill Fire station and Lucky (with knife and zip ties supplied from the fireman) installed his computer on Lynn’s bike.

Somewhere around 50 miles, Lucky and Mark split off their separate ways for their respective homes. 50 miles of riding with partners: pretty good compared to some of the training rides, especially since the "Lake Placid" training group finished their training (and the Ironman). Lynn continued to the Y, refilled her water bottles, and decided to repeat the trip up Six Forks ->New Light->Bruce Garner->Pokomoke Road…to Franklinton, and returned. Rather than completely retrace the route on the return, Lynn decided to make a four-mile loop side trip across the flat Pleasant Union Church Rd. I (Martin) had finished my metric ride and was standing in the parking lot as Lynn rode by Pleasant Union Elementary – I don’t even know that she noticed me, or anyone else for that matter.

Soon thereafter, Lynn called from Finley Y to say she had completed a bit over 100 miles and was trying to figure out where to ride next. Walter and I drove out to meet her at 1pm at the Subway at Patterson and NC-98. Walter likes going for rides.

We got to the Subway about four minutes after 1pm, just as Lynn arrived on her bike. Walter was very excited! Lynn was also happy to see Walter. Walter enjoyed helping eat our tuna subs. Lynn remounted and headed out to ride her last 25 or so miles. She finished about an hour and a half later. Saturday done. Average pace about 18.2.