David Roderick - 5/25/2015
A pretty dry day for the riders………….300K May 16, 2015
The 300K is in the books. We had twelve riders registered, two riders did not start, and two riders abandoned due to a serious mechanical issue. There was rain all around on Saturday, but for the most part, our riders were able to avoid it. Debi was in Austin, Texas buying me some socks and a water bottle from Mellow Johnnies bike shop. You know, the one that Lance is associated with, and has a shrine devoted to him in the basement. Debi got some really nice pictures for me, and still managed to put together a batch of date bars for the 300K before she left. Volunteering, with a little arm twisting, Ben Slay and Dawn Mettler manned the turnaround picnic in Logan, and by all reports, and what I personally witnessed, they did a great job. Thanks Ben and Dawn. Ben came up with the idea of donating all the extra food and such to the Logan Fire Department. They were very appreciative, I just wish I would have thought of it first. Further proof, that along with David Buzzee, David Miller, Ted Meisky and Ric Noland, that I am fortunate to surround myself with great people. Matt Taylor finished first at 6:30 pm, and Eve Hush, David Rudy, and John Sanchirico finished to beer and pizza at roughly 10:00 pm., well ahead of the 2:00 am cutoff.
On to the 400K and some issues that have risen pertaining to hotels. I negotiated a discount for lower rates at Best Western Plus in Canal Winchester this past winter. I was the only person to book a room there for the 200k and 300K. I was informed that the discount rate had expired and no longer applied, even to my stays. I tried to get a new discount rate for the 400k and the 600k, but failed to do so. I will not be hosting the rider check-in for the 400k or the 600K at the hotel on Friday night before each ride. I will move that pre-ride check-in to Cyclist Connection during Ric’s regular business hours. If you want your bike, lights, and reflective gear inspected ahead of the ride, Drop by Ric’s before 8:00. If you’re looking for a room the night before, the Best Western may have rooms, but no discount. I stayed in a Best Western in Pickerington a short drive from the start two nights this week, and it was still cheaper than one night in Canal Winchester. There are a few other hotels in Pickerington as well.
The sleep motel for the 600k was to be the Best Western in Canal. It is the closest to the start and end of the first 400K of that ride. However, there are two hotels near the Pilot Control in Chillicothe, which will be at about the 300K point. There is a Holiday Inn Express behind the Pilot at 1003 E. Main St. (740) 851–6140. There is an America’s Best Value Inn, 1135 E. Main St., right next to the Pilot. Since Best Western Canal Winchester has taken the action they have, we will offer a bag drop to the Pilot Control in Chillicothe. If you’re planning on doing a 1000K or 1200K later this season, it is sometimes suggested that riders ride the 600K straight through. If you simply want to finish the 600K distance, you might consider a hotel stop of a few hours depending on your speed. Remember, all controls have time windows, and you must clear the control whether you stop and sleep or not. Since the control time windows get so long, we will not be offering a picnic for either the 400K or 600K. We will still have bagels, bananas and water at all the manned controls. Remember there are such things as secret controls and information controls. You never know when one my pop up.
Be safe out on the roads. I hope to see you on the 400K and or the 600K.