In order to prevent any confusion with the Hunters riding group, which meets every Saturday at GRU under the able leadership of Linda McMahon, a new riding group called "The Stray Cats" has been christened.
Composed mostly of Hunters who ride in the great tradition of Hunters "style, speed and temperament" the group will engage in impromptu rides, sometimes with other bike clubs, in distant places. These rides will be announced via group email and all GCC members who can manage to shift in to the "Hunters Mode" for the duration of the ride are welcome to join us. We will place an emphasis on fun and recreation, and the social benefits to be had from meeting members of other bike clubs and riding in their territory.
The pace will be similar to Hunters (10 -15 mpg) averaging about 13. We will make regular stops to take a breather, check out local sights, look at flowers, fix flats, take pictures, etc. Keep in mind that the actual ride leader will probably be from the club in the region we ride and some accommodation will have to be made to their style. The riding distance or distances will be given in advance with as nearly accurate a prediction as possible, consider again however that the ride will probably be led on-site by a non-GCC person.
This will be a TOURING group; no pacelines, no wheeling sucking, no wheel watching. If you can handle the adventure (look up the definition) without too much whining then you should come ride with us, in places where the accents may be different.
If you want to be a STRAY CAT too, all you have to do is watch the email for future rides and show up at the designated time and space coordinates, in the "Hunters" frame of mind. Of course it helps to have some capacity for self reliance on an away ride of any sort, so don't forget to bring a spare inner tube or a repair kit, some snacks, and some potable fluids. No Stray Cat will be left to expire on the side of the road as long as another Stray Cat lives to defend and protect them, but its still best to be self reliant.
Thanks to Marty Tod and Diann Dimitri for coming up with the new name, which emerged at the summit meeting and luncheon held at the Tocoi Fish Camp at the midpoint of yesterdays ride. The Stray Cats then officially inaugurated their first ride as the second half of the Riverdale - St. Johns river ride. Total mileage for the ride day was 48.5, average speed was 12 mph. Under overcast skies and pleasant temps we rode with 5 GCC members and 4 NFBC members. In spite of a slightly moist start, the sprinkling stopped after about 3 miles and the ride day turned out to be pleasant and entertaining.
Unofficial leader for GCC members participating in these rides will be me (Rob Wilt), but it could end up being any of the Hunters who plan to make the ride (in the event I can't make it). The primary ride contact will be named in the email.
Keep watching that EMAIL for future ride notices, and if you have a GCC buddy who doesn't have email, tell them about the rides.
Meow!