the joy of a distended abdomen

hey everyone, it was a great ride down to miami - even if the occasion itself was somber. it was really amazing to see so many cyclists gathered in one place, especially once we started to ride over the bridge where the incident happened. it was just a sea of helmeted heads taking up the road side to side and as far ahead as one could see. it seemed as though every bike club in south florida was there as well as a lot of regular folks, tattooed fixie hipsters, families with children.... the works. what was important about that, I think, was that it showed the issue of safety to be of a much broader concern than just amongst those of us who ride regularly. while I doubt if the political will exists to do what is necessary to make the roads truly safe, at the very least it may make people be a little more attentive.

the ride itself was different than our usual club rides northward. the roads were a tad rough and even more urban, if that's possible. the police did a good job of getting us down there. the ride was escorted, safe, and pretty much non-stop. the return trip, however, was agonizingly slow. between the shifting wind and having to stop every ten feet for another light, everyone was quite ready to be done.

the big finish came at Jaxson's where we enjoyed a much welcomed meal (courtesy, by the way, of clemens' and willy's generosity; thank you both very much!). jerry disappeared about as soon as we got there and the reason was clear. the place was packed already and they had just opened! while we were able to bask in the afterglow of a good ride, jerry had to sling hash and generally make the kind of things happen that keeps a place like jaxson's viable even in this world of corporate knock-offs. and certainly a huge thank you as well to jerry for providing us with a table and complimentary ice cream.... which, on top of the gigantic meal was almost too much...

almost.

and thanks finally, but no less, to all the G2 riders who could make it out today - as well as some new folks, and... you know, some folks who decided to dress in red instead of blue and green:

Cesar, Mauri, Rori, Gayle, Jim, Clemens, Mike, Mark, Rene, Jerry, Kyle, Liz, Your humble author, Willy ( captain and benefactor), and Kelly - who is considering becoming a member. way to go, Kelly!

ps. photos will be posted as they become available