Okay, so the first time I did this ride, about three weeks ago, I snapped my chain and was the last rider.
Last night, the weather was beautiful and about 40 riders turned out. There was one recumbant, one mtb bike with slicks and one tandem. The rest were mostly high-end roadies. The moment my buddy and I pull up (he's on a Cervelo and I'm on my 10 year old Cannondale) I notice half the riders look at me and smirk at my Camelbak, muddy mtb shoes and commuter rack. Eh, oh well... I'm here to have fun.
So we all take off. It's such a great feeling riding in a crowd that large and watching people stop and stare! Anyway, I keep with the group along meandering residential streets, but get caught at a stoplight with the back half of the group.
Light turns green and we all take off... and I am slowly being passed one by one until I ride with the back 4 riders. Eventually, even they pull away and I get caught by my lonesome at a stoplight, halfway through the ride (12 miles in.)
Well, that was it... I didn't see anyone the rest of the ride. I'm pushing myself, not trying to catch up, but improve my spinning. Then out of nowhere, bothmy calves cramp up badly and I can hardly pedal. I stretch them still in the saddle and slow my pace until they calm down, and finish the ride.
I pull into the start/finish parking lot of the bar/grill and meet my buddy. We go in have a beer and enjoy the evening. I was pleased to see my average speed was 15.4 mph. It may not be great, but the first time I did this ride, it was only 13.
By the end of the summer, maybe I can hang with these snobby roadies, eh?
Last night, the weather was beautiful and about 40 riders turned out. There was one recumbant, one mtb bike with slicks and one tandem. The rest were mostly high-end roadies. The moment my buddy and I pull up (he's on a Cervelo and I'm on my 10 year old Cannondale) I notice half the riders look at me and smirk at my Camelbak, muddy mtb shoes and commuter rack. Eh, oh well... I'm here to have fun.
So we all take off. It's such a great feeling riding in a crowd that large and watching people stop and stare! Anyway, I keep with the group along meandering residential streets, but get caught at a stoplight with the back half of the group.
Light turns green and we all take off... and I am slowly being passed one by one until I ride with the back 4 riders. Eventually, even they pull away and I get caught by my lonesome at a stoplight, halfway through the ride (12 miles in.)
Well, that was it... I didn't see anyone the rest of the ride. I'm pushing myself, not trying to catch up, but improve my spinning. Then out of nowhere, bothmy calves cramp up badly and I can hardly pedal. I stretch them still in the saddle and slow my pace until they calm down, and finish the ride.
I pull into the start/finish parking lot of the bar/grill and meet my buddy. We go in have a beer and enjoy the evening. I was pleased to see my average speed was 15.4 mph. It may not be great, but the first time I did this ride, it was only 13.
By the end of the summer, maybe I can hang with these snobby roadies, eh?