Metro Metric Ride

This past Sunday a few friends and myself rode in the Metro Metric XXVII, sponsored by the Elmhurst Bicycle Club.
The starting point, registration and finish line was at Hampshire High School, home of the infamous “Whip-purs”.
The day started out by being greeted by a stage-5 clinger. Yes, folks the trike draws in the winners. As we waited for the rest of our riding group, I was accosted by the super geek, and his main attraction had been the Baron in the back of my Jeep. Man, it did look sweet!!. First, I would like to state, I do love to talk to people about trikes and the Baron, and especially enjoy letting people take their first trike ride on the Baron. But 90% of the group was very hung-over and hurting (myself included, see dinner at Blackbird entry) So all the questions, blank stairs and awkward silences were just about all I could handle.
Big thanks to Steve here for helping w/ super geek. Thanks my friend!
Finally, we were all tuned up and on the road. The first section after leaving the high school was on the road and mildly busy, but a few turns later we were on backcountry roads and heading west towards Virgil. The day was simply delightful, warm and sunny without being humid, barely a cloud in the sky.
One of my highlights of the ride was a long back-back country road. The only trike I was riding slower than the group that was divided into sub-bike groups. Jr. on a single speed. Which was a beautiful bike that had a tight handlebar setup with a comfortable riding position and sweet cork grips. {The more cork the better. I will write another entry about my love of cork products and my concern for the growing cork shortages throughout the world. Remember, my love of fly-fishing.} The rest of the group was riding quick and colorful Felt bikes with the exception of a super cool blue bike with TONS of carbon fiber. On this long stretch I never saw another rider, with the exception of a single motorcycle with a sidecar. Another Trike!! Both the rider and passenger gave me a wave, it was nice, and I must say even better than a Jeep wave, which is tuff to beat.
Trike riding allows you enjoy your surroundings so much more. I had the time to look at the farms that were passing by and time to slow down to check out the animals. I came across lots of goats, pigs, horses, and a few jack-asses, With my newly mounted iPod speakers jammin’,


I rode in perfect comfort, at smooth speed and loved every second of it, perfect tricycle bliss. Shortly there after, I was at the Rest Stop and the 18-mile mark. The rest area was great. People checking out bikes, eating tasty snacks of fruit, granola, gorp, Gatorade, and icy cool water. REI was even there with a small stand and mini-shop. We cooled down, topped off water bottles and took off for the final 15 miles. This final section was mostly on roads with light to medium traffic, one major road crossing (RT. 64) and thru two little farm towns.

The last stretches of the ride were along some sod farms and thru downtown Hampshire. Sod farms really let you see forever, peacefully gazing over the vast open flat fields of perfect deep green grass. These peaceful fields only made me want to run my Jeep thru there in 4WD at very high speeds, doing donuts!! Sorry grass hoarders.
After passing thru Hampshire we finished the ride with a tasty corn boil and some homemade snacks.
For the Barons first group ride it was, as Borat would say “Great Success”!!

Also, check out the youtube footage with the attached link. Its me being passed by two roadies.