I got dropped by the guys I was riding with on Saturday.
For anyone who's ever been on a group ride, it's not a great feeling. For anyone who hasn't. It's that same feeling you got the first time you noticed that you were no longer the fastest person on the rink...or even one of the fastest. It's humbling.
This year, I've been getting dropped alot. Either I'm getting older, or everyone I ride with is getting faster. Or I need a newer, shinier bike! Number three does sound more logical, but being the cheap bugger I am, it's also the least appealling explanation.
Saturday started out great. Heading into a really strong wind with four of my peers, each taking our turn out front to give everyone some rest. I stayed sensible and (for me) controlled until a couple of the guys started sprinting at all the town limit signs. I didn't stand a chance, but somehow convinced myself otherwise for about six ill-conceived sprints.
No matter how much of a lead I put together, these guys reeled me in and put me away.
Finally, on a hill near the end, I simply gave up and let the pack fly by. It was as if my mind and body finally came to an agreement and their solution to the day's ride was "who cares."
Next day, I ran with most of the crew from the day before. Pushed the pace from the first step. Dropped the bunch of them by the second km. Ten miles later, I was still all alone out front.
Saturday now seems like a long long time ago.
But I'm still thinkin' about that new bike!
For anyone who's ever been on a group ride, it's not a great feeling. For anyone who hasn't. It's that same feeling you got the first time you noticed that you were no longer the fastest person on the rink...or even one of the fastest. It's humbling.
This year, I've been getting dropped alot. Either I'm getting older, or everyone I ride with is getting faster. Or I need a newer, shinier bike! Number three does sound more logical, but being the cheap bugger I am, it's also the least appealling explanation.
Saturday started out great. Heading into a really strong wind with four of my peers, each taking our turn out front to give everyone some rest. I stayed sensible and (for me) controlled until a couple of the guys started sprinting at all the town limit signs. I didn't stand a chance, but somehow convinced myself otherwise for about six ill-conceived sprints.
No matter how much of a lead I put together, these guys reeled me in and put me away.
Finally, on a hill near the end, I simply gave up and let the pack fly by. It was as if my mind and body finally came to an agreement and their solution to the day's ride was "who cares."
Next day, I ran with most of the crew from the day before. Pushed the pace from the first step. Dropped the bunch of them by the second km. Ten miles later, I was still all alone out front.
Saturday now seems like a long long time ago.
But I'm still thinkin' about that new bike!
No comments:
Post a Comment