Not the dedication made you'd expect

Season Miles: 2,075

Dousman, 53 miles
15.2 ave. speed
83 ave. cadence
Sun, 80, wind 5-8 NICE!

First of all, a question for you.
Q: How many people did I count riding a bike on my ride out to Dousman and back today? The answer at the end of this post.

This beautiful Sunday, Sept. 11 meant a dedication ride, but it's not the dedication you might think. Not to take anything away from marking the 10th year since the terrorist attacks. But today's dedication goes to Eddie.

My lake neighbor Eddie died on the morning of Sept. 11 a couple of years ago. I grew up with good old Eddie next to us out there. For decades whenever I needed a tool or help on a project or a suggestion for how to get something done out there Eddie was my go-to guy.

Within five minutes of pulling into the lot I would see Eddie come out from his garage to send me his patented greeting with a wave, "How ya doin'?" he would always say. Just months before he died at the age of 96 he was out there raking in the lake weeds. He was like a grandpa to me. I hope that's how long I last and how strong I go out when it's my time. On this anniversary of his passing I dedicate my effort today to Eddie.

It was less than 24 hours after I had completed a 40-mile ride that I was back out on the road today. Wearing my Sunday finest for the occasion, I had pulled on the kit I bought several years ago when I was in Paris. I don't wear it much, but I wore it today for the dedication ride on 9-11.

I decided that since the path west is going to be closed now until the 23rd that I would take it one more time out to Wales. When I got there I decided after my stop that I would go on to Dousman today, simply enjoying the ride and counting all the people I was seeing on a bike.

I pulled up to Bicycle Docs and went in to buy a gel and get a bottle filled with water.

Once back to Wales I pulled off briefly to get more water. I saw a couple of serious looking roadies doing the same. They took off down the road rather than the path in the same direction as me...just a couple of minutes before I too left.

This is the fun part of this route because there is a slight false flat downward toward Waukesha. And at one point later I saw those same two guys on the road. One went straight and the other turned back onto the path in front of me.

He looked back, saw me, and then set a solid tempo. Having a little gas in the tank yet and some Shot Bloks in my jersey pocket, I decided to get up behind this guy. He was moving. It took work, but I grabbed his wheel. Then after following for a bit I decided to take a turn up front.

On the gas....full on.

As I approached a walker ahead I glanced back figuring this guy on his Trek would be right behind me. He was. So I gave him the hand motion to move over to the left. I did the same thing for a second person walking. Trek guy was glued right to my wheel and I was doing 24's in this section at hard tempo.

When we got to a second intersection I called out 'CLEAR' for him and glanced back just in time to see that he was turning off to the right. He called out to me, "Thanks for the lift," to which I replied, "Any time. Good riding."

To tell the truth I was glad he turned off because I was now gassed. Even if he had taken a turn at the front next I am not sure I could have stayed on his wheel.

After that big effort it was just a matter of pacing myself all the way back home. No major issues. No cramping. I was a little tired, but not bad at all for going 53 miles in what felt like the dead of summer heat. Fantastic I say! I'll take this weather all year.

A: 260
Yup. 260 people riding a bike...and no repeats either. I kept track.

It's good to see all those people out there enjoying the weather on a Sunday afternoon. Of course it helped that the Packers played on Thursday.