Two Wheel Blogs

I was that guy. I hate to admit it but it is true.

Jason texted me and kept on pushing to spool it up on the streets instead of my warm, dry garage or basement. I tried to convince him that I had a sweet basement equipped with surround sound and enough watts to arc weld, and a big screen to boot. We could ride in comfort as we enjoy a nice action movie, or some driving beats...perhaps a sprint interval every time the hero offs a bad guy, or a super-threshold interval coinciding with every car chase...

He was not going for it. I sucked it up and pulled on the tights-of-doom that constrict my legs and prevent the possibility of a comfortable ride.

We met up at the school by the LBS. Chris was already there waiting. We saddled up and each of us fumbled around trying to get the other guy to suggest a route. (no one wanted the responsibility of selecting a route that would put have us in no-mans-land when the heavy stuff started). Chris spoke up first and suggested a route.

41 degrees, 13 mph wind (constantly changing direction...and always seeming to be a partial headwind), and sporadic misting. A symphony of all things needed to really create perfection in the category of "lousy ride conditions".

I went on record early stating that I would not be that guy who will bitch the whole ride...and I made good on the promise. However, as it turns out I was that guy who after we completed the first loop I started looking for an exit vector.

I hate being that guy, but I was done. My legs were revolting against the cold and wet...but mostly against my crappy tights. We held a bit too high of a pace for my form at this point in the year.

I stated that I was done and would make the next turn and head home...They understandably seemed bummed. No one likes it when conditions suck and partners in misery start dropping like flies. It makes it that much harder to maintain resolve to finish out the training ride. It is like some jackass enjoying an entire plate of fresh brownies in front of you as you start your diet.

We approached the turn (which was a half mile away when I announced my lack of manhood) and I started feeling better. With my second wind and a firmer grasp of my ego (that was trying to scape) I maintained course with the guys to add on a second loop...but the damage was done.

We continued past my exit point and they sort of looked at me, then one another, then shrugged and we all kept going with out a word. That was when the weather started getting worse.

I swear, every time we turned and announced that, "this ought to finally be a tail wind", we were proven wrong.

As I said, the damage was done. I had poisoned their resolve. My lack of bravado combined with the weather getting worse was what was necessary for them to take the next turn which would cut the ride short.

I must say though, I feel pretty good now that I am home. I got in two solid hours of hard paced riding and now can eat what I want for dinner guilt free. Hopefully, tomorrow those guys will come to their senses and we can get in three hours of tempo paced riding in my basement!