Day 9: Thoughts on Road Riding

The alarm went off at 5:25 a.m. 5:25!! This is night, not early morning. It was dark and the night sounds were still screaming. The sound was deafening and it was awesome and hypnotic and made you feel alive when all the world was dead. Coffee: brewed at 5:30 and downed by 5:37. Tires aired up by 5:40. Water bottle full and affixed to frame, 5:42. Two Ground Up Food single serving balls consumed by 5:45. Mark S lights come into view by 5:48. Heading off to the group ride by 5:50.



It's two and a half miles on the bike to the start point. Today, a group of maybe 12-15 gathered and took off on a regular ride that they do at this Godforsaken time twice a week. The shape of the group runs from the likes of Mark H and Mark S to, well, me. And, at least with today's group, that's not really a terrible reflection on me - new bike, first group road ride, wicked early, new route, etc. And we maintained a pretty tough pace.



Check out the details from Mark S's Garmin:



http://connect.garmin.com/activity/41148473



Now, keep in mind that's he's the fastest rider but also spent some significant time dragging me back into the pack, so it's not a good reflection at all of his ride, but a decent one of the ride itself.



The bottom line: it's not for me. I think one of the reasons I do this kind of waffling about things -- eg, getting really into something and then losing interest -- is that I can be kind of impressionable. Well, where road riding is concerned, I'm going to stick to my guns.



Some people have the "bike gene" -- Mark S and Doug M for example. They were born to ride a bike -- any kind of bike. They'd be happier if they could perform most of their daily activities from a bike saddle. Being on a bike for them is better than not being on a bike. For me it's a means to an end -- of getting out in the woods, exercising, or being able to have a different view of the landscape.

So, I had to drop Doug M's bike back to him with my tail between my legs. But I tell you, the more I watch the Tour de France, the more I have second thoughts -- maybe it is for me and I'm just too out of shape to have fun with this crowd? But for now, I've got to watch the expenditures on this here recreation, so, no road bike.

Food: cup yogurt; 2 cups coffee; --shoot, don't remember.