Tag: RAMM Gears

Mary Munford Elementary

  • Where’s the Track?

    Twenty Four gentlemen ran decided to start this Friday off right by biking or running.  Before 5:30 AM, several PAX members preparing for the BRR took for additional miles.  At 5:30 AM, the professional and amateur bikers left.  This is what the rest of the running PAX did.

    The Thang

    Using Brocode, run east on Grove and take a left onto Antrim.  Run to Thomas Jefferson High School.  Pair up with a running equal and then alternate running 400s for about 24 minutes.  PAX members ran 7 to 9 400s.  Some PAX members did a slow lap around the track and then all ran back to Mary Munford for about 4 miles.

    COT – Numberama, Name-o-rama, Announcements, Wheelie took us out.

    NMS

    A few weeks ago, YHC participated in the Richmond Road Runner’s Club summer track series at UR.  For one of the event, YHC and Betsy Ross (2.0) ran the 8000 relay in which each teammate alternated running 400s.  After completing this, YHC thought this would be a great RAMM workout including those preparing for the BRR.  After the mile warm-up run to TJ this morning, YHC gave the instruction to step onto the track.  As he stepped onto the track, he had trouble identifying where the track was because it was dark and the grass had overtaken the track.  After some discussion, Splinter pointed out a one foot path around the track.  Once this was discovered, off we went.  Little mumblechatter occurred while waiting for the partner to complete his run.  As we finished the 400s, most PAX members took a slow walk back to Antrim and then ran back to Mary Munford.  Its funny how running less miles like today can be so challenging.

    Congratulations to Offshore for completing the summer challenge today by taking an amateur bike ride.

    It was great partnering with Swiper today during the alternating 400s.  Well done to Sippy and Saab for pushing the pace.  Our groups were together the entire 24 minutes and it was exhausting.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • Labor Day Convergence at Three Lakes Park – Sept 3rd at 7:00. See Pre-Blast
    • F3 RVA’s 4 Year Anniversary Convergence – Sept 22nd starting at 6:00. Runners and Non-Runners are needed.  See Pre-Blast

    Gotta Run!

    Phonics

  • Minimalist Backblast

    Many Pax by foot and bike welcomed Fall weather to the RVA.  Despite Marv’s constant pleading to run the Carillon route, we elected a new Lockjaw route of a trapezoidal nature with several dog leg turns.

    It was great running with EF Hutton and Phonics – good company, conversation, and pace.

    Puppy Pile tomorrow – 7:05 – Carillon.  See Marv for details.  Bring your kids.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Praise the Lord, and pass the Gatorade. (preblast… Dirt Church Sundays at 0800)

    For a couple of months now, some of us have been assembling on the short street in front of the Courthouse Church of Christ for a Sunday Funday Liturgy of Singletrack and Gravel.  Non-demonenational (we’ve even had ‘cross bikes), and no-drop, with routes that can be as short as an hour and as long as twice that and change.   It’s real mountain biking, so helmets are required and you’ll want to be prepared.  Bailout points will be available for the time-compressed.  When RVA MORE closes the singletrack for weather-related reasons, this ride very easily becomes Gravel Church.  We roll at 0800.

    YHC has been riding the venue for about ten years and has seen the scene mature and Pocahontas State Park become a real MTB destination.  Plenty of old dudes (and not so old dudes, and not dudes, for that matter) are out here every weekend and you may see someone you already know.

    Come channel your inner Tinker Juarez with us (he’s 57 now, btw).

     

  • Carillon the Right Way…

    24 descended upon Mary to see where their legs and wheels would carry them.  After Splinter provided a quick translation of the Belizeian word for “Hello”, we were off.  Runners covered distances ranging from 4 to 8 miles, and every distance in between.  Bikers covered all that is RVA.

    YHC’s Lab Rat-esque apology goes to the 4 and 5 milers, who got slightly lost – but gained extra distance – thanks to poor instructions from the Q.

    Announcements:

    • Puppy Pile next Saturday
    • Dirt Church coming to a back blast near you

    Saab Abides

  • Back to Basics

    13 of RVA’s finest posted this morning by foot or pedal.  Here is what happened, more or less.

    The Routes:

    East on Grove and north on Malvern.  Take Broad St east.  4s take Belmont south, 5s take Davis, and 6s take Lombardy; all southbound to Grove.  West on Grove the the VSF.

    Swirly took us out.

    With Lockjaw’s summer tour closed out, it was a welcome return to the Friday RAMM.  YHC wanted a nice and simple route and upon delivery of instructions, not a single question.  Mission accomplished.

    Broad St is under development with the new Pulse bus line and an ever evolving Scott’s Addition.  As one runs this route, you see people living on the streets with their possessions close by and sleeping when/where they can.

    Go forward today mindful of all that you have.  For many of the Pax, your problems are insignificant in contrast to those of others’.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Amateur Hour, Part Deux…

    Fifteen on foot and fifteen* on wheels posted at Mary this morning in between raindrops.  A couple few 2.0’s made it out despite the early hour, and two FNG’s got named.  

    The cycling went a little something like this:

    Out the back and down Cary.  Dive into Windsah Fahms, and out via Portland.  Douglasdale.  Hang a right and boogie down to Byrd Park for a lap around and between the lakes.  Get rained on like a champ.  Over to, and around the lake with the fountain in it.  Climb up to Boulevard and roll, en masse, respectfully following all prescribed traffic laws.  Left and down Ellwood, disregarding said laws.  Back to Mary via Grove.

    Some things of note: Firstly: high marks to first-timers, children, and otherwise fit dudes who just don’t spend time on bikes.  Thank you for coming out, because riding bikes is rad but riding bikes with other people is way, way radder.   Secondly: high marks to ALL riders for their adherence to Rule #9** — riding a bike in foul weather means you’re a badass.  It poured for a little while, but the stalwart and stoic PAX honey-badgered through it.  I didn’t see that coming, but am glad ain’t nobody noped out because of weather.  Finally: extra high marks to Kabota for bringing out the sled with the kiddie seat on the back.  If you take your little one out on that thing, you’re a good dad, dude.

    I’m going to suggest that this sort of thing happen more often, if for no other reason that it was a lot of fun.  While the RAMM Gears Faithful always get in a good workout when we’re all spandex-and-Strava’ed-up, there should be more to Friday morning than that.   Maybe once a month would suffice, maybe even just once a quarter?  Just again, though, please.   I hope others feel the same.

    Before I forget, from what I heard at the coffee pot this morning, the runners did “the Carollon Route”, whatever that is.  TYA and Swirly did “Patterson backwards” and Bleeder tried to kill LugNut but thankfully didn’t succeed.

    Please remember that all PAX have a standing invitation to get bikes dialed in at No Tools’ Coffee Emporium & Bike Shop.  Rates are reasonable (IPA) and hours are by appointment (don’t forget the IPA).   Find me at @bvay on Twitter.

     

    Announcements: Humpday Happy Hour is coming up… Roller Coaster Run & Kubu Kuba Dos.  Lab Rat says listen to Soundcloud this afternoon.  Dirt Church is Sunday before 8am at Courthouse Church of Christ (will be all gravel this week).  BT will be racing Bleeder on jet skis next week.  Maybe there’ll be video?

     

    * Shout out to the brother who posted with the little 2.0 on the bmx bike.  Things weren’t shaping up as planned and they waved off on Cary before Malvern.  Anyone catch his name?

    ** see here for The Rules but don’t take ’em too seriously. 

  • Amateur Hour… RAMM Gears this Friday. Pre-blast?

    Amateur Hour… RAMM Gears this Friday. Pre-blast?

    A couple of weeks ago, Phonics told me that this Friday, August 3rd, was to be the date for RAMM Gears, Amateur Hour, Part Deux (see https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2018/06/15/peloton/ for reference) and he asked me to put together a route.  Of course, my reaction was “F* YEAH… More dudes on bikes!”.

    If it’s truly the case, and this Friday is to be the second edition of the “run-what-ya-brung, dig-out-the-1990-something-Trek-and-come-ride”, I’m your guy, and I’d like to open it up to 2.0’s if they can make the early hour, unless there are objections.  I’ve got a route in mind, and plan to tune it for maximum satisfaction for those who can post.

    Additionally, if your old bike needs a some touching and loving before Friday, give a brother a holler (best to tweet at @bvay).  I actually do own tools, and have a deeply seated love for that bike you bought in college and haven’t touched since ya got married.

    I want to see you on your bike.

     

    No Tools

  • Frisbee Free Zone

    9 studs posted on a Friday morning for normal F3 activities, running and biking.  There were 5 runners and 4 bikers.  Routes varied, but lots of hard work was put in.  Swirly and TYA went for an 8 mile jaunt through windsor farms and by the carillon.  Bootleg, Lug Nut and Pullout meandered through the west end neighborhoods to log their miles.  The normal bikers were accompanied by Wedding Singer today who was a hitting RAMM gears as part of the summer tour.  Not sure what kind of bike he had, but I am envisioning a tricycle with big wheels. Great to have Clavin back and the Profit continues to post for the friday morning spins…No tools is a machine.

    TYA OUT

  • Kind of Just Backed Into It

    24 – Now that has to be a record of sorts.  Great weather brings out great runners.

    YHC went over the routes a couple of times with a mixed degree of reception from the Pax.  It turned out to be effective as no one was lost.

    To put all route questions to rest, here is a picture of the six mile route.  5s turned at Broad St and 4s at Monument.

    Fudd took us out.

    NMS

    YHC wanted to revisit Broad Street, but after a show last night at Agecroft, Windsor Farms was calling as well.  Here is a route to do both!

    It was great to run with Fireman Ed and Ponch as it was Ponch’s first RAMM and Ed’s return after some time away from the roads.

    Announcements:

    • Summer Tour is still underway.  Not too late to start.
    • Puppy Pile this Saturday at 7:05 at Carillon
    • August 3 – Amateur RAMM Gears part deux.  Rumor has it that No Tools will provide guidance in the repair of our old bikes.  See him for details.
    • “Dirt Church” Sunday mountain biking is in full effect.  See No Tools.
    • CSAUP late October – Running loops around Forest Hill Park; one an hour.  Last man standing takes all.

    Always Be Tapering,

    Lockjaw

     

  • half and half

    6 runners scoffed at 6 bikers this morning for an epic showdown of pedal power versus foot power!

    Not really.

    Bikers did an awesome trip around the bike loop that the pipeline is a part of in the dark.  It was way cool.  Unfortunately, our FNG did not get the memo that is was MTB day and brought a road bike.  He broke off of the group at the Carillon and No Tools gave him a route.  He did not return to get a name.

    Runners did old school on Grove.  No idea what happened.

     

    Lab Rat apologizes…