DAM J.A.M. '10

The best weather I've experienced in 4 years at DAM JAM.  The morning was cool and overcast.  Storms had blown through earlier.  I watched lightning move away as I got closer to Pryor, OK.  


Strategy for the day was to take it easy, take some pictures, smell some flowers (if I found any). All that seems to go out the window as the lead group took off.  I just couldn't resist the quick pace line at the beginning of the ride.  It helped that Lance (go Team Superior) was up at the front too.  I chatted with Lance and held on to the lead group for 22.5 miles.  At that point I had a decision to make.  One water bottle and 22 miles until the next rest stop.  No reason for dehydration at a "fun" ride.  I pulled off to the rest stop as EVERYBODY else in the group kept going.  I hope they all got thirsty :-).


After a quick stop I headed down the road by myself.  I had a bit of music to keep me company.  Yes, I know, that is dangerous.  Only one ear bud and the volume not too loud.  The day was nice and I thought I saw a cyclist behind me when I looked in my mirror.  I might have been hallucinating as they never seemed to catch up and then finally just disappeared.


As I approached Grand Lake I ditched the music to just enjoy the scenery.  I enjoy looking off the DAM every year when I ride by.  This year I decided I had to take pictures.  Actually I have only ridden past this once as I've only previously done the 100 mile route one time.

Near the end of the DAM.

There wasn't much traffic which was good because I was stopped in the lane on this fairly narrow DAM.

An Awesome View

Finally, other cyclist!

Yea!  Motivation!  More Cyclist coming.  Put away camera and start riding again.  Only missed one spillway that I thought might have made a good picture.  Rode with, around, near these guys for a while.  Finally made it to the mile 44 rest stop.  Shortly after started riding with Dennis.  Finished the ride with Dennis.  Thanks Dennis, even though you will likely never see this.


At about mile 80 is the hardest hill on the course.  Gee thanks!  At the top you are greeted with the cross dressing rest stop.  Actually, the theme is M*A*S*H 4077.  Dennis was kind enough to take a picture of myself and Klinger.  We never figure out who was Hot Lips.

Question?  Which one of these guys is the cross dresser?  Tough call.

Weather was nice but was fairly hot by the time we finished.  There is one reward for finishing this ride, an Ice cold shower at the local pool.  A perfect (and shocking) end to a great day of riding.  And if you are wondering, no, I did not smell any flowers.  I did however smell a number of dead things on this warm moist day.

Stopped in Claremore on the way home.  There are a number of bike related sculptures downtown.  This one is right outside the local bike shop.