5:30Crew
The 5:30 Crew
It’s 5:30 am on the Outer Banks. Most people are sleeping or just getting up to get ready to work. At the same time 5, 10 or maybe 20 local business owners, real estate developers, contractors, engineers, doctors, school teachers and other avid cyclists are preparing to ride 18 miles before 6:30.
They meet at the same bench at Food Lion in Southern Shores every weekday morning at 5:30 to ride everything from full on carbon race bikes to trusty old steel framed road bikes. In the true Outer Banks spirit, they ride as a group.
The 5:30 Crew started riding together unofficially about 6 years ago. "I liked the idea of riding at that time of morning because I could get in a good ride and still have time to get ready for work by 7:30. At first there was Charles Hardy, Cliff Neal, Bruce Ferrier and myself. Cliff and Bruce kinda dropped off and Tom Hollian joined us." says Graham Strickland. Graham and Chalres Hardy still ride every morning with Graham leading the group down the Beach Road to the Black Pelican. After Graham pulls off the front everyone takes turns leading the group while the previous leader falls to the back and gets to enjoy the draft.
What started out as a B group ride has turned into an A/B ride. For the first 7 miles or so the pace is a friendly 18-20mph with much conversation and camaraderie. Just before the first turn onto Colington Road the A group breaks away from the peloton and sprints to the stoplight. At the Colington/Bypass intersection the groups split and the A group proceeds at a 22-25mph pace around the back of the Wright Memorial to W. First St, up Bay Drive to Kitty Hawk Road and then finally to Woods Road. The 3 sprints can reach top speeds of 35 mph! The B group continues on the same route at an 18-20 mph pace with no sprints. The A group consists mainly of racers who ride for GSOBX (Outer Banks Gruppo Sportivo) and the B group are mainly avid cyclists who may or may not be training for an upcoming 100 mile century ride or 60 miler to Manns Harbor and back. It is also not uncommon to see a few racers hang back with the B group and even ride the loop twice at that pace. Joe Anlauf says "The ride is good for a beginner although a true beginner will find it very challenging. There will always be a few individuals that will stay back and help foster the beginners love for cycling."
Most of the riders found out about the ride either through a friend who rides or from either Michael at Kitty Hawk Cycle Co or from Chip at Outer Banks Bicycle. Both shop owners are big supporters of the ride and are always willing to let other cyclists know about the ride.
In the summer months The 5:30 Crew even has a few tourists join them and they are always welcome. It is recommended that they ride courteously and follow the group. Also, headlights and tailights are a must. The 5:30 Crew jersey is optional.
Links:
www.groups.google.com/group/gsobx
