"December Reservations" Revisited
by Nate Morgenstern

Ocean's 11 came to mind as we embarked from Brookdale Park on that Saturday morning.  More than a bit of moisture still hung in the air, giving it a sense of the sea and a cooler feeling than the 50F temperature suggested. We were eleven hearty souls with tires acting like squeegies on the sloppy pavement.

A relaxed early pace may have lured some into false expectations, while serving as a mild warmup for most. Stops were frequent--too much so for some--but provided needed creature comforts. Wet roads turned dry, then sloppy again, then wet with drizzle as we rolled along. Some spent more time at the front than others, which is usually an equalizing measure. Yet, that was a touch insufficient when the hills stood before us. William Blake said "Great things are done when men and mountains meet;" and sometimes these can be witnessed at the rear of a group. While those ahead struggled to tame the beast, a glance aft might have revealed a display of teamwork with one rider assisting another to complete the climb. Although the satisfaction of such an accomplishment is sufficient, the incredulity painted on others' faces at the concurrent arrival of the vertically challenged, serves as added compensation.

Note to self: Great things are more easily achieved if not attemped the morning after downing a full bottle of red wine.