Although this route always has riders on it, Thursday is the big ride day. As with previous Thursday rides, I rolled out ahead of the main pack...those guys are too fast for me.
Rolling out ahead of the pack leaves me constantly thinking of someone behind me, sizing me up to be overtaken. I've had the fast pack overtake me before and it's not fun. I was wondering IF, WHEN and WHERE they may catch me. I saw many riders riding in the opposite direction, heading toward the start or toward the pack with plans to catch on as they came by. I thought with my head start, they should catch me near the end and I should be able to catch on for a fast pull for maybe the last few miles. Also in my thoughts were the ominous, grey clouds that looked to dump buckets of rain on me at any time.
By mile eight, I was also overtaken by a solo rider. He rode by, said hello and I jumped on his wheel for a little pull. He was a big fella riding a Strock 0.9 or something like that. He was keeping a good steady pace and near Cumberland Parkway, he pulled away a little bit. I figured well, I guess that's it, he's gone. But as we approched the first little climb on the Parkway, I was reeling him in. He didn't like the climbs. Even though I topped the first of these little climbs in my 25 cog, I was still pulling him in.
At the peak of the first little climb, I pulled around him and pushed harder. I wanted to create a gap and he didn't like the hills so with two more little climbs on this stretch, now was my chance. After the three little climbs, approaching Paces Ferry, I slowed down to catch my breath, have a drink and get ready to bomb down this little stretch into the quaint village of Vinings.
This stretch of road was rough from construction, thick with traffic and the traffic lights slowed me down...all this took away some good momentum. I was thinking about the Strock guy, I'm sure he wanted to close the gap but I will say; I was feeling pretty proud of myself so far.
A right turn and a nice long, high speed dive back down to the river. As I expected, the Strock guy stormed past me. He was driving hard and so was I but I knew that the climb going up on the other side of the river would bring us back together. As we crossed the river, the sky's finally opened up and the rains came. Up ahead coming toward us was the main back of maybe 25 riders. Ain't no way those guys were going to catch us today.
I took a break and rode the wheel of the Strock guy for the majority of the climb. As I pulled around him, I thanked him for the pull and mentioned that the pack wouldn't catch us today, his face was looking down and there was no reply. A right turn, the road levels out then starts another long down hill and back comes the Strock guy. I'm behind him now, not on his wheel, he's ahead by about 10-12 yards. The rains were getting stronger and we were pretty much side by side now for a good long stretch.
Another downhill and yes, another climb. This time, I let the Strock guy have it. I took it easy, spinned my crank but gained ground at the same time. From here, I pulled ahead of the Strock and never looked back. The rains were still with us and I was feeding off it. I just kept digging all the way to the end. Back at the parking lot, I thanked the Strock guy for the ride and pushing me, he replied that I didn't need a push. I thanked him for the compliment and with the rain still pouring down on us, began to load up.
A very satisfying ride it was. Considering the rain, a solid pace for this hilly course at 16.9 avg. speed, 43.4 max. speed. Looking forward to my next ride.
Since my plan this morning was bicycle to my Ranger, then Walmart for a battery, then back to my Ranger and attempt a resurection, I aired up the CR1Pro to 110 psi, not my regular 120 psi. Although my Mavic Ksyrium Elites are pretty much bullit proof, with the additional battery weight of about thirty pounds in my backpack, I didn't want to overburden my wheels and tires with high air pressure.
Before I left the house, I packed a few survival items to help repair and diagnose my ailing Ranger.
During the ride to the Ranger, my mind was churning away, putting together a strategy and an action plan to affect a repair. First order of business was to search the Ranger for a receipt for the battery purchase - none was found. Second item was to attempt a starting to see if the truck had magically repaired itself overnight - no overnight magic, it growned maybe two turns of the crank, but that was it. Third item was to connect the volt meter to the battery to check the voltage and the meter read an even 12 volts, exactly what a properly working battery would say. Even though this read "normal", my guess was that somehow the battery had lost the Cold Cranking Amps needed to turn the starter.
At this point, it was time to throw the leg over the Cr1pro again and chase down a new battery. With a new battery, I could at least limp the truck home or to a garage. The bike ride to the Walmart was only a few miles; when I arrived, I steered the CR1Pro toward the big glass doors of the garden center which opened automatically making me feel very welcomed. Down an aisle, then into the main part of the store, from there I scooted to the battery department where I dismounted. Their battery look-up guide was not clear and pointed me to a battery that did not match the current battery in my Ranger. I looked through the guide several more times, scratched my head, then decided to go elsewhere. 
The parking lot test confirmed the battery was deleted of Cold Cranking Amps even though it showed 12 volts on my meter. The next step was to charge the battery and while it was charging, the alternator needed to be removed for a full bench test. Robert provided the tools for me to loosen the serpentine belt and remove the alternator, he also helped out with one of three connectors that didn't want to come loose. Not wanting to damage the connector and make more trouble for myself, I let Robert provide the expertise. With the parking lot removal of the alternator complete, I brought it inside for the testing.
With the skill and ease of the pro that he is, Robert attached the alternator to the tester and started pulling levers and pushing buttons. I stepped back a few paces and quietly looked on as the testing machine roared to life. The meter gauge tried but failed to make it up to the green, "good alternator" range; a new alternator would be needed. I think Robert said the "stators" inside the alternator were deficient.
With a new alternator in hand, it was back to the now hot, sunny, parking lot for the installation. The installation would be a simple reversal of the removal. The repair was all very easy, I purposely bought my Ford Ranger because of its old school, simplicity and ease when a repair was required. With a shiny new alternator installed, I reattached the breather hose and I was good to go except for the battery.
The battery was being charged while all the alternator work: removal, testing and installation was taking place. The hope was that the Cold Cranking Amps number would come back up but it only increased from 197 to 243 while the battery was rated at 640 CCA. A new battery would be needed. Robert directed me to take my old battery back to Brand "Z" auto parts store where Robert said, they would probably do their own test and provide a pro-rated warranty reimbursement where I could go ahead and buy a new battery at a steep discount. Robert let me use his loaner battery to get my new replacement from his competitor...what a guy! Brand "Z" was very amenable and everything transpired just as Robert had said. I was out the door with a new battery in no time and did the replacement in their parking lot.
Many, many thanks to the gang at Advance Auto Parts, especially Charles and Robert pictured here. These professionals were so very helpful in getting me back on the road. At Advance I received the tools, advice, direction and courteous professionalism to successfully repair my Ranger. My odyssey began this morning at 8 am with the spirited but anxiety filled bicycle ride to the Racetrac and ended at 12:15 this afternoon with a comfortable, air conditioned drive back home in my repaired Ranger. 
