chicken ride.... grande edition.

another excellent day for the big trip. it was a bit breezy on the roll into work, but a VERY nice tailwind on the way out. I was unlucky and flatted on the roll out of the city, but was fortunate enough to be in front of the SRAM guys. the scooped me up into the fold just as i was finishing the tire change. We made a quick stop at the former starting grounds of the namesake ride - now changed over to a 7-11, grabbed some liquids and fuel and continued to the Chicken Coop.
we must have had 20 on the roll out from Scott's, and it was a pretty snappy stroll out, bar to bar with long pulls being made by most. Everyone is quick in the tailwind. On the turnaround, we finally got the paceline cooking, but there were a lot of Indians and not enough chiefs to keep it fast. finally we got it cooking pretty good, i was in a serious spot of difficulty when i was able to roll back on at a red light. it was pretty clear who was cooked and who had gas left. I decided to throw in the whole matchbook towards the end and help out a few guys that were keeping things fast. Unfortunately it was the 'help out the group 30m off the front' move that left me high and dry and provided little amusement for the group. Somehow i gutted it out up the Joliet hill, which was quite piano for some reason, and the whipping began into the last turn. Brian Haas did a lion's share pull as always, and Pistol Pete set me up well for the final pop.
A vanilla bean frapp was my reward for flogging myself, and also served as dinner for the day. I gathered my backpack and strapped on the lights back at the Chicken Coop and Ritzler and i rolled it home.
Over 4 hours in the saddle for the day, over 2300kj an 130 km overall - - LOVE IT