A Horse Creek Ride

The EVCC rode again 

Took up their wheels outside Cochrane:

John, and Jeff, and Laurel and Chris.

We headed west and didn’t miss

Grand Valley Road our upward turn

To give the legs a little burn,

With nothing in our path today

But one child’s shoe, a canvas gray

That caused a melancholy thought

About that which would soon be sought,

A fleeting point because the hills

Reminded us of trainer drills

That rudely seemed of little use

As 5%s piled up abuse.

We forced our way upon each mound

“What silliness to get around!”

Yet we’re addicted —sure we are

Preferring this o’er any car

(Simply as a note aside, 

Poetic form requires elide

And as convention styles the form

Over to o’er as per the norm.)

Apologies to Housman’s verse

His Shropshire Lad is none the worse;

In doggerel, or equal sort 

A ride report’s a ride report.

With tails propelled by strongish gust

We took the drops and put our trust

In slope, and line and tires, (one inch)

And Horse Creek Road became a cinch.

I might admit we crossed the line 

Going all out, but I’ll decline

To say a hammer-fest took place,

Not out in such a pretty place

With views of distant snowy peaks

No mechanicals and no leaks 

marred the ride. Thus, watered and fed

Our goal: to catch those guys ahead

And so they blasted as did we

Until upon their wheel with glee

We passed them right before the end.

Another ride of fun and friend

To kick the spring along toward May

With hearts of joy and legs of clay.