Sexy Pace Line

What happens when 5 decent riders join forces to become the most unstoppable force the history of this trip has known? Why SPL of course.

Three days ago we were all coming off our disasterous ride to Indian Lake when we were faced with the prospect of a hilly, windy, 75-route into Boonville. Somehow the fates aligned as five unlikely riders (myself, Ian, Jess, Erik and Kate) came together to form a pace line of epic proportions. What made our pace line so effective I think was that, despite having never ridden with each other before, no one interrupted the line with ego-laden riding (i.e. dropping the group when pulling) and everyone was so appreciative after your turn to pull, it was a very emotional team experience. That, and we were the first to arrive. The woman who greeted us told us we were the first group in 5 years to make it to the church before 2pm. Shazaam.

But let me explain this pace line concept a little better. In riding, much of you energy is spent breaking the wind. A pace line is formed when 2 or more riders ride in a straight line. The person out front, the "puller" breaks the wind for everyone riding behind, making it a lot less work to go the same speed. The line rotates so that each person takes a turn out front for several miles or so, spreading the work evenly amongst the line. In Boonville, we described this process to a woman at dinner. In the middle she interrupted: "Oh, yeah, just like Nascar." Yes, just like Nascar.

Hmm, what else have we been up to? Two nights ago we were in Palermo, another blip on the map. We stayed in the Lutheran Church, where pastor Tammy was resident bulldog. No lie, Tammy had some sass to spill on everyone. Throughout our presentation, Tammy sat in the back and acted as peanut gallery. I wish I could remember a few more specific comments, but one sticks out. Isaiah had left a necklace at Tammy's house when we were taking showers. He informed her of this and she responded, "You better come get it tonight before my husband comes home." Really? Really.

Also of note at the Lutheran Church was a strange picture of Jesus. Several years ago, when the class went to Washington, the National Catholic Church had this giant mural of what we later referred to as "angry Jesus." This picture was "come hither Jesus." Yes, this picture of Jesus was giving you the eye. Even better was the writing: "With Love, J."

The next day we arrived at RIT, a school that was designed after the gulag if ever there was one. When John R. pointed out that I had never seen a gulag, I told him my mother once worked in one. Unfortunately, not many people that entered my mother's old office ever came out.

We worked on a build yesterday, the highlight of which was Penn and Erik breaking off vines by playing Tarzan. Also, I got to show off my forestry skills when we needed to chop off a limb from a tree stump. Sean made a valiant effort with the axe, but only a real forest ranger knows how it's done (i.e. moi).

Also yesterday we went to the movies. I was adament about seeing "Wanted" with Angelina Jolie and accompanied Craig and Ian. Needless to say, it was the worst movie I ever saw in theatres and (because Craig was there) the funniest too. I will be writing and posting a review soon because it was just that heinous.

We're in Lockport today with plans for Niagra tomorrow. I'll be writing again soon since there's more to tell, yet little time remaining on this computer.

Thank you all for the mail, I felt like a popular kid this time around (because let's face it, love is measured in care packages on this trip).