Mad Dog Mammoth Cave Overnight Century and Return

Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 2001

 

Congratulations to all who participated in the official Mad Dog century for the month of May, the Mammoth Cave Overnight, a challenging, hill intensive 122 mile ride down on Saturday and an even more hilly [they thought I was pulling their legs] 115 mile return on Sunday. Yes, we rode the ferry across the mighty Green River, although yours truly, the ride captain, is not welcome back on the ferry anytime soon after an altercation with the ferry operator who started pulling away from the ramp without Jim Moore, who was only about 50 yards behind the rest of us. Somehow, the old guy's gruff response of 'I don't wait for nobody!' was just not the level of customer service I was expecting from a National Park licensee. My negotiating skills obviously need work as the ferry operator made Jim wait at the ramp for the next trip. Oh well, everyone else we encountered at Mammoth Cave was great!

The weather turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Despite ominous clouds and weather warnings on Saturday, we thought we had successfully skirted the bad weather ... that is until the sky opened up on us just south of New Haven. The rain, although torrential, lasted only about 30 minutes ... and most of it we sat out under cover. Other then that though, we had great weather for the rest of the ride. Sunday was great the whole way.

I want to recognize and welcome two brand new Maddoggers ... John Paul, alias 'Art Dog', and Heidi Solarz, alias 'Daisy Dog'. Way to go guys! It was Heidi's very first century. Amazing when you can make your first one a 120+ mile hill intensive ride ... and then turn around the very next day and ride another 115 miles that is even more challenging. Makes you wonder which gender is the stronger. This also marked the first Mammoth Cave overnight on which we remembered to pack wine ... three bottles. We all had a nice party in one of the cottages at Mammoth Cave Saturday evening ... did you know that Eddie can perform a credible imitation of Heidi's handstand while still sober? He had a little trouble with upside down splits ... but it was a great visual. Thanks Numero Uno.

The ride back was marred by a reckless driver just south of Bardstown attempting to scare the living hell out of Adrian ('Horse Dog') ... and pretty much succeed too. The driver was coming down the road from the opposite direction at over 70 mph and veered over the center line directly at Adrian, coming within a foot or so of hitting him. We sure don't think it was unintentional. What is going on with drivers out in Bullitt and Nelson counties? Thank goodness his aim was off.

All in all, though, a very nice weekend. I wish the weather had looked more promising on Saturday morning so that more riders could have joined us. For anyone still considering their first official Mad Dog Century, the June installment is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th in Campbellsville, designed courtesy of our good friend and fellow Maddogger in Campbellsville, Jim ('Grizzly Dog') Moore. Looks like a great ride over lightly traveled country roads new to LBC riders, not unusually hilly ... and yes Duc, 'the brochure' does promise a ride 'in and around Green River Lake'. And yes, our 'No Drop Policy' is still in effect. Ya'll come!

Mike 'Pan the Goat Dog' Pitt

Ride Captain

 

P.S. Have you noticed the cool Mad Dog stickers gracing the helmets of many of the LBC members? These cool stickers ... not available anywhere else at any price ... are awarded free to all finishers of official Mad Dog century rides in 2001. Are you making plans now to obtain yours? How will you respond years from now to your grandchildren when they ask if you too were one of the infamous LBC Mad Doggers of 2001? Don't let the chance to join the Madness pass you by.

 

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OK, sorry to infringe on your day but no trucker has killed me yet.

Mike Pitt: I want you to know that I, for one, appreciate everything you do for the 'Mad Dogs' and even though you know how I feel privately, even though you slept with Jim this Saturday, I wanted the cyclist to know how much trouble you went through to take us to Mammoth Cave.

First, Mike came back two days early from a vacation to Ft. Myers just to be with us. You are 'mad.'

Mike had his beautiful and sweet wife, Sue, meet us at the start of the ride and Sue took our bags for an overnight stay to Mammoth Cave. Being one who overpacks, I personally loaded two Army duffle bags full of enough stuff to live the rest of my life comfortably in any home that would have me along the way.

Then Mike had his daughter, Marcy, or maybe Marcie, take our stuff to Mammoth Cave and Marcy dropped it off for us.

I was so slow riding that Mike had the restaurant stay open just for me so I could stuff my skinny body with Rainbow Trout and two $6 vegetables. Plus a salad.

Then he provided some wine and some butt ice for my warm Champagne.

The next day, Sunday, he had Marcy drive down to Mammoth Cave and pick our stuff up and Sue brought it to us at the finish of the ride.

I, for one, cannot remember such good service on ANY LBC ride I have ever attended.

For those of you who thought the weather might slow us down, well, for everyone except 'Mad Dog Daisy' and me, that would be true but for the other riders who know only a little fear riding a piece of metal in a thunderstorm, it only slowed them down for a few minutes.

Remember our motto: 'Only Englishman and 'Mad Dogs' would ride in weather like this ....

Sunday was beautiful and we wish you were there too.

To Mike, Tim, Jay, Jim, Adrian, John Paul and the lady who kept us on our best behavior, Heidi, Thanks for playing. It was nice to see Wendy, our roller blader from Cave City.

We also now have a new 'Mad Dog' theme song. I hope Jim will post the words so I can remember them rather than make up my own.

Special congratulations to Jay who is smart enough to know when his body says enough, he could mentally agree. That step in sports is one a lot of people never understand and Jay has figured it out. I have a great deal of admiration for you Jay.

Special Congrats to Heidi who joined the ranks of Century doers. Heidi not only did her first Century, Heidi rode 120 miles of some of the toughest terrain we have around here. But in addition to that, she rode 115 miles or more back on the second day. Heidi, you are GREAT!

Special Congrats to Tim and Jim who did their first ever back to back Centuries. Guys? I wonder if those 30 mile rides will ever seem long anymore.

Mike, THANKS!

Eddie, Mad Dog Paco