BIKERS BEACON <bR>
Thursday, April 23 <bR>
<P>
It just doesn't get any better than this. The day's forecast was<bR>
promising and the weatherman's prediction did not disappoint.<bR>
Plenty of sunshine, flowers abloom and temperatures hovering<bR>
'round 70. This was the kind of spring day that comes as a rich<bR>
gift to sufferers of the Michigan purgatory-like winters. By the<bR>
time the afternoon rolled around on this Thursday, BBC members<bR>
were chomping at the bit to get out.<bR>
<P>
And come out they did -- in force. A whopping 16 riders (!) met<bR>
in the Ad Building parking lot. Doug Fattic's memory was taxed<bR>
to remember the last time such a crowd gathered for a weekday<bR>
ride. At the exponential rate of growth were keeping now, Berrien<bR>
Springs is soon to look like Bejing at rush hour.<bR>
<P>
The 16 riders were President Scott Thayer, Jerry Thayer, Richie<bR>
Forrester, Doug Fattic, Scott Leben, Todd Jarnes, Marc Samuel,<bR>
Jack Stenger, Randy Mack, Ron Johnson, Erik Labianca and Phil<bR>
Eide. Joining these veterans of the training ride were a bevy of<bR>
new-comers. They were the young Dan Johnson (Ron's son), the<bR>
architect Seth Morrison, the cross-training Hans Habenicht<bR>
(normally a mountain biker) and the broadcaster Ralph Sanchez<bR>
(WAUS staffer).<bR>
<P>
Listen folks, this armada was catching no small amount of stares<bR>
on the streets of our fair villiage. Women stood slack-jawed.<bR>
Children ran for cover. There was so much Campangnolo gear on<bR>
Main Street, the local yokels must of thought the Italian army<bR>
was invading. It was impressive! Matter of fact, a kind middle-<bR>
aged lady in a stretch, white early-1980s Lincoln Continental<bR>
even gave us an encouraging honk while passing us by. Sure she<bR>
might have looked ticked off. And it might have appeared she was<bR>
coping the typical Middle America attitude toward bikes: "Get<bR>
outta my way pipsqueaks, I gotta big car and this road belongs to<bR>
me!" But we know better. Didn't you see the Colorado Cyclist<bR>
catalog on the passenger seat? Yeah, right.<bR>
<P>
The ride was social. Everyone talked, encouraged the newcomers<bR>
and enjoyed the spectacular scenery of Michiana in early spring.<bR>
But behind the placid pace and atmosphere, there was discernable<bR>
tension. Phil was with us, and it was only a matter of time<bR>
before he made a run for it. With legs like tree trunks ("They're<bR>
bigger than my waist," one rider muttered) it was obvious that<bR>
the big guy could break the pace open at will.<bR>
<P>
Everyone stayed together mostly up to around Shawnee Road. But at<bR>
the Singer Lake climb, Phil showed flashes of the strength that<bR>
can make his massive Cannondale bike frame bend. The peleton<bR>
regrouped, mostly, and ran an impressive pace line up Hinchman. A<bR>
Swiss watch can't match our precision when we work together. <bR>
<P>
As usual, the cruel Hinchman hills stratified things a little.<bR>
Several riders effectively boxed in Phil in order to prevent his<bR>
imminent attack. (It was neither pretty nor sporting, but it was<bR>
effective.) But when the big guy got out, he turned on the<bR>
afterburners. The rest, I presume, was history.<bR>
<P>
I say "presume" because an unfortunate mechanical problem meant<bR>
your humble correspondent did not get to track the lead pack from<bR>
his customary football-field distance. The final results, then,<bR>
are sketchy. I presume Richie, Phil and Scott finished strong.<bR>
Marc Samuel was not far back from that crowd. <bR>
<P>
Unfortunately, my chain and my chain rings had a little argument<bR>
and separated at an inopportune time. All thoughts of record<bR>
finishes and a 20 m.p.h. average were dashed on the top of the<bR>
Hinchman incline. As I was falling to the pavement I noticed the<bR>
lovely blossoms on the apple trees -- and an oncoming Doug<bR>
Fattic who nearly put tire tread on my face. Ah spring!<bR>
<P>
Listen, when all 16 of us were together, cruising at 28 and 30<bR>
m.p.h. down rolling hills on Snow Road, it gave new meaning to<bR>
the term "self-actualization." It's for times like these we ride,<bR>
BBC members, for times like these.<bR>
<P>
So, the brilliant weather and our growing numbers were the big<bR>
story on this Thursday ride. Welcome to the newcomers. Please<bR>
keep coming out! Way to go, Dan Johnson! Why don't you talk up<bR>
these BBC rides among your biking friends at the Academy? Where<bR>
have you gone Ricky Robertson? (Get the wheel fixed, Bud, and<bR>
come out and make the statement you're capable of making.) Jason<bR>
Lange? Phil it was great having you with us.<bR>
<P>
For those who missed it, this ride it was singular. And for those<bR>
who drive gas-guzzling white Lincoln Continentals and give us<bR>
loud honks with attitude, we have but one thing to say: may your<bR>
children ever ride Huffys!     <bR>
<P>
Until Tuesday, I remain,<bR>
<P>
Jack Stenger<bR>
BBC Chief Propagandist<bR>


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