Number 666 and a Superstitious Rider


The morning air was alive with the scent of a late spring day as
the riders lined up for the start of the Le Grande Tour.  About 80
cyclists were gathered to challenge the 50-kilometer course.  As
the announcer gave instructions, Rider 666 met his fellow
competitors and formed an alliance with two:  Jamming Jarrett and
Bad News Bart.  When the instruction was given, "This is not a
race, but a challenge between the rider, their bike and the course,
to test their skill," Rider 666 hung his head; destiny would
deprive him of his race.  

10...9...8...7.... The countdown had started.  'Good lucks' were
said.   3... 2...1... The ride began.  Four riders pedaled at the
front and down the road towards the first turn, none looking back,
like foxes running from hounds.  Rounding the first turn and
picking up the speed they surrendered earlier to safely navigate
it, the small pack grouped together as they rode behind the pace
vehicle.  The pace quickened, only to be slowed by another turn. 
This would put the riders on a road out of town, and into the hands
of nature.

The small pack sped away, putting distance between them and their
fellow riders, each taking turns leading the assault.  Rider 666
took his turn at front, following the fine example of Jamming
Jarrett, but fell back in the pack shortly thereafter, not knowing
where to lead.  The fourth rider, a stranger to the other three,
bravely led the pack around the corner, which led to the Mountain
of Doom:  Not more than a freeway overpass, but if ridden without
control, would lead to certain doom.  An aid station appeared on
the horizon, a beacon on the course to give vital fluids and
supplies to the packs of cyclists which would pass.  Rider 666
attempted to obtain a morsel of banana from the hands of a helper,
but was unable to hold on to it as the four passed the oasis.  

The Mountain of Doom loomed ahead, beckoning the pack to ride on. 
At the base, Rider 666 attacked with speed and power, passing the
pack, knowing that that was the only way to defeat the elevated
advisory on the back side and safely pass danger.  He looked back,
only to see his fellow riders had not kept pace, so he slowed for
the arrival of Jamming Jarrett and Bad News Bart.  The fourth rider
was caught by the Mountain of Doom, only to fall to the same fate
as the other cyclists:  being left behind.

The pack of three rode on further into nature, only to be besieged
by what would be a motored menace to a lone rider, but the
threesome bravely slowed and turned out of the truck's path--only
to see yet another aid station.  With Jamming Jarrett at the lead,
Rider 666 would hold back, thus enabling yet another attempt at
retrieving a banana.

Approaching the aid station, it became apparent that the riders had
surprised its residents with their arrival, but when 666 had
secured a banana, disaster struck.  Jarrett went straight ahead;
Bad News Bart turned left, leaving 666 to decide which was more
important:  Eating the banana, turning the corner with Bart, or
calling Jarrett--already yards ahead--back to the proper course. 
Stuffing the banana into his mouth and yelling at the same time,
order was again established as Bart slowed down and Jarrett
returned to the back.  

As the next turn approached, a vote was taken as to what to do, a
policy which would become commonplace.  The turn was successful;
the road circled the base of a mountain, which contained dwellings
(and perhaps pizza).   666 attempted to establish communication
with a native of the area, but was unsuccessful, and the three rode
on.  Again, as the kilometers passed, a vote was rendered and a
right turn was made, but nature fought back with a headwind.  The
three traded off position at the front.  

Jamming Jarrett then began to feel the effects of his altered
course, his muscles not responding with the machinelike precision
so admired by his fans.  The pace slowed as Rider 666 declared they
would finish together, like it or not.  Getting strength from the
words spoken, again the pace quickened as a rider ahead was spotted
and passed with a friendly hello.  Not knowing where this rider was
from or where she was headed, Bart ordered a right turn.  The
others followed, looking ahead.  

An aid station loomed up; talk was taken up as to what to do. 
Rider 666 would attempt a water transfer, so he sped off to the
front so as not to slow the pace of the other two as he drank.  But
again, the residents were unprepared for the rapidly approaching
cyclist yelling for water.  They quickly obtained a glass, but it
was too late.  As the other two rode on past, Rider 666 circled
back, telling the water bearers not to worry, and sped up to the
slowed riders, waiting to give him a break from the still-present
breeze.

Kilometers passed.  Suddenly, Bad News Bart spoke up after looking
back; riders were on the horizon behind the three.  The pace
quickened as the cyclists approached a cousin to the Mountain of
Doom, and revenge was taken by it on the last rider to its base. 
Jarrett was caught and mortally wounded; the machine had faltered. 
Bad News and 666 called back to encourage Jamming Jarrett and,
noticing the riders on the horizon gaining ground, put more emotion
into their yells of encouragement.

As Jarrett approached, Rider 666 pushed him toward the front as
they came near an unexpected sign.  It was a left turn with yet
another motor vehicle, which hesitated, sensing the needs of the
cyclists to turn, which caused a breakdown of communication,
leaving Jarrett behind on his own.  Bad News and 666, knowing that
they would be the ones left to finish, began jockeying for
position.  Side by side they rode, one in front, then the other. 
Back and forth they raced, but as a corner approached, they slowed
to turn and the former challenge lay dormant.  
Other riders were bunched on the horizon and approached with a
steady fear of possible doom.  Again, 666 and Bad News traded off
turns at front, parting the wind to allow them both to put distance
between themselves and the riders gaining on them.  After a few
minutes, the partnership had again worked; Bad News and 666 were
safely in front by a large margin, but still worrying about the
stranded Jarrett.  

The end approached; one last final corner lay before the finish
line.  Earlier agreements were shuffled to the backs of Bad News'
and 666' minds.  The corner came, and each rider slowed to safely
navigate its narrow and sudden path.  They then picked up speed,
following the actions of the other.  Their speed increased to a
blinding pace, each edging their bike to the front as the finish
line came.  The two would tie, but the tire tread that separated
them would be the difference. Rider 666 would take first. 

666 had reached his goal of number one and received a ribbon.  Bad
News and 666 congratulated each other and watched as two unknown
cyclists finished their own challenge two minutes behind.  Soon,
the other cyclists finished with regularity, and a tandem crossed
with Jarrett's parents aboard.  The tension thickened as around the
corner Jamming Jarrett was spotted.  He had regained his precision
and crossed the line a winner.

As the crowds began to go their separate ways to discuss the events
of that morning, Rider 666' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle passenger
was spotted by a spectator, and the real reason for his finish was
known:  TURTLE POWER... COWABUNGA DUDES!!!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Regan Smith, with his Raphael Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action
figure attached to his Peugeot, knew with his participant number of
666 that this ride would not be a pretty sight.