So let me tell you about it. I didn't have my usual Thursday eve riding partner, my niece who is starting to show talent for this sport, she road a 20 early in the day so I was left with out. Having known about this club ride for a while and witnessing them drop some riders a couple of weeks ago when I was out at the same time, I decided it was time to test the waters and dive in.
I don't know if you all remember the first time you set out to do something for the first time but I really tried to talk myself out of it the last hour of work. I think that old 'a type guy' stepped forward and quelled any doubt of that happening! So there I was in the parking lot of the local bike store and no one was around, my first thought was I got the night wrong, I don't want to look foolish, time to go home. Again the 'a guy' brought calm and I saw some fellow cyclists arrive..whew no more screwing around, time to get the kit on and to work.
The greatest strength I have is the knowledge of when I used to ride and once we were ready to go I fell into place in the pelaton and we were underway. The warm up was a mild pace around 15-17 mph and everyone was talking and excited to be moving and getting the blood to flow. This was a pelaton and those in the center are very well protected and I rested for about 10 miles. As we came to the Gulf beach road we all of a sudden kicked it up a notch or two and were cruising @ around 26-27 mph...a little fast for some of the riders but the majority were right there. The leader asked that we slow it down and we once again were @ at a comfortable 20-22 mph.
I saw that front of the pelaton pulling and falling back so I asked the guy next to me if we get our turn? Yes I am the kinda guy who wants to pull and show that the new guy is not a wus! So when we came to the turn around, which is convenient because it also the end of the road, I jumped up front and found no one wanted to share this pull. Fine my 'a type guy' said I've ridden solo for so long and know this run well it's no sweat off my back to lead alone...well maybe it is a lot of sweat off my back but I'm not going to give up and show it. Finally some other guy saw I wasn't going to back down and pulled up beside me and we pulled for about 3 miles.
Just a little insight to this club: there were 16 year old riders, 60 year old riders and a couple of strong women in the mix. It was good to see and hear the camaraderie of this group toward each other.So as we made our way back I noticed that the group was slowing down. I wondered if they were tired and needed a break but that didn't make any sense because these guys and gals looked like they were doing fine. That's when I over heard someone say that they were getting ready for the last couple of miles...WHAT, these guys are going to SPRINT? I had pulled four times, again to be the non-wus new guy and the regulars have been sandbagging the last couples of miles so they could to race back to the parking lot.
No problem I thought I'll just drain it and finish where ever I finish. With that thought just leaving my minds mouth two guys blew passed me then everyone else gave it the gas. Not to be left I pulled out all I had and though I was left by 45% of the guys and one of the gals, I kept cranking hard and sure enough I reeled in four or five before the finish. The TDF it wasn't but a victory for me it was and sweet to the taste! I had nothing left in the tank but I never had the lactic acid legs at the finish. WOW that's a first in a situation like this. I mean an all out finish after a good ride with the adrenaline and all. I now know I'll be ready for May and my time will be spent enjoying the family on this ride and not the drudgery of hoping to just make it to the hotel! and not embarrass myself!
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets for coffee and we'll swap stories.
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