You are herePain, or, a Life Lesson on 2 Wheels
Pain, or, a Life Lesson on 2 Wheels
"Life is pain, anyone who says differently is selling something." - The Dread Pirate Roberts
Pain is what I'm feeling right now. In my legs, in my head, in my joints. Roadies are hardcore, and try as I might I'm not there quite yet. I went out on a "recovery" ride with my work (AMD)'s local roadie group. During the ride I had to walk 2 hills and stop for a few minutes ON the Mopac bridge to dry-heave. Near the end I felt competely spent energy-wise and it showed. I took the Rob Roy out so my gearing was relatively moderate (44x17, changed to 44x19 after I yakked) but MAN the hill country can take its toll on us one geared types. Combine that with the wind and I really wanted to quit once I got to the Mopac bridge. Thankfully the rest of the guys spurred me on and I finished the ride (they slowed down to match my pace up Southwest Parkway), albiet much pokier and out-of-breath than when I started it. Thanks y'all.
Lessons learned:
1. Roadies are superhuman machines, bred with the powers of science to outrun my fat commuter cyclist ass.
2. Eat fucking breakfast before riding. Running out of fuel in the middle of the hill country is downright embarrassing.
3. Jeans are not good in 80+ riding weather. Superhero garb is a bit too much function over form, but next time I'm gonna shoot for the happy medium and hopefully not nearly expire from heat exhaustion.
4. Wind REALLY IS my arch-nemesis (a lesson I already knew), and may also eat a bag of dicks.
5. Gears are kinda cool. Must investigate further...
So there you have it. My afternoon ride in a nutshell, and the valuble things I took away from a very painful situation. I believe when you rationalize a painful experience with the fact that you're not quite as stupid after they call it "The School of Hard Knocks". Ow. Learned indeed.
I've never done more than about 56 on the pink bullet - I gear that puppy fairly high, though.
I did the Austin Flyers ride this weekend, and got schooled like you wouldn't believe. I should have eaten breakfast also. As far as the "superhero garb," there's idifferent levels. You don't necessarily have to match your jersey to your bib shorts and wrap your bars the same color, you know.
Gears, also. Yup. I do indeed have a geared bike; you seem to be missing one in your arsenal. You won't go to the dark side just from having one, you know.
hey let me know if you wanna borrow some tights, i think i have some pink ones.