waterrockets 

OMG there was some strange ***** going on in the Tuesday Nighter A group tonight. I had a strong Cat 2 rider (wins some TX races) try to push me off a wheel, I didn't budge, we bumped knuckles, then he goes and gives me a bunch of grief "it's just a wheel man, what the hell?" Hey, if it's "just a wheel," why the hell are you trying to bounce me off it?

Then, I'm just maintaining my top 15 position, which occasionally means dropping off a wheel and going back a place or two (I had no reason to go all the way up and work). So I gap this rider, another strong Cat 2/M35+ guy is next to me (I'm out in the wind now) points to get moving up on the wheel. I patted him on the back, and said he could come in if he wanted. Then we got into this argument about why I wasn't working to drag the pack around.

I have a pretty short temper, and these two interactions nearly had me going roller derby in there. I was about to start asserting my 6'4" self on these skinny elite riders.

After I thought about it a while, it reminded me of high school. It's like I'm on the varsity team, but a benchwarmer, and the starters are walking around with all this attitude. f-ing lame jocks.

The 2nd guy also grabbed another rider roughly by the jersey and pushed him into the paceline in front of him to do some work. If he pulls that ***** with me I'm jumping off my bike and we're both going to lose some serious skin. I was actually about to approach this team because they're so strong in the M35+, but forget that -- I'll stay unattached. Bastards.

Then, the two Cat 2s with the attitude nearly got into a fist fight with each other at the front of the pack over some bull*****, and they were making fun of first names like gradeschoolers. Three guys nearly crashed from the resulting deceleration.

Anyway, there was a break of about 10 off the front that we couldn't catch, but I ended up getting 3rd in the bunch sprint, nearly catching a couple early sprint/breakaways and dropping the rest of the pack running on pure anger.

So, next week I'll get with this Cat 1 and a Cat 2 I'm friendly with, and I'm initiating the biggest f-ing attack I can muster on the first hill. These guys always get away on the first lap and stay away, so I'm going to do everything I can to stick with them and earn my place. I'm going to ride until my legs just don't work any more and I have to get a ride back to my car.

Waterrockets has a fire burning inside...

snoboard2

go getum tiger. way to not take *****

Snicklefritz

great report, awesome photo. Be sure to tell us what happens next week!! Some people in the master men's categories have enough ego for 3-4 people. Good that you are not sinking to that level. On occasion at real races out here, things have gone from the course to arguments in the parking lot after the race over stupid stuff.


I like your approach, get with a few strong ones and run those other peoples' @$$ into the ground.

cbip

Should have come up North and rode the Tuesday Nighter North. No fights, everyone was cool and I got the honor of lasting 1 whole lap before getting spit out like wood from a chainsaw. First time at this ride, fun, but I am not close to being competitive with them.
I bet I know what team you had the run in with. Seems like a lot of ego's in cycling. Probably could'nt make it in football and such but now they think they are studs. Just drop um on the hill and laugh at them for getting punked.

Voodoo76

Im thinking his picture pretty much describes what's going to happen

waterrockets 

^^^^Yeah, a washed-up cat 3 isn't going to pwn an elite field, but I'm not going to be around for any nonsense. It's either off the front or off the back for me.

Yeah, I'll have to get up there for that sometime. I work like 5 minutes from the Tuesday Nighter though...

Blue Jays

Excellent narrative, waterrockets! I felt like I was there. Good luck next week...eat right, train right, hydrate, and get lots of sleep.

HigherGround

Getting in touch with your inner Vino?

Vinokurtov

Ain't nuthin better.

patentcad

After nearly 20 years in the local amateur racer peloton I have discovered the solution to all the mid-ride bull****:



Mine goes to 11.

That is all.

waterrockets 

One can only hope

Yeah, one of these guys is a good friend of Lance's, actually.

botto 

"college"?

CrimsonKarter21

Are you sure this 'jock' wasn't throwing his friend into the front like in a Madison?


Go and kill them. You might be outnumbered, but you'll never be outguaded.

waterrockets 

Not really much point in not naming him, huh?

Yeah I know Madison throws, no way. This was his way of trying to make others do more work. It's pretty stupid, because I know he wasn't working hard, like he needed help.

I ought to write "GUAD^" on my calves with arrows pointing up.

scuzzo

where is that youtube video of cyclist fighting?
kinda brings things into perspective.

patentcad

Cyclist fighting is like some incredibly lameass version of bar-girl mud wrestling.

botto 

if that's the one, tell him i told you to tell him that his nickname is stupid.

thanks in advance.

FixdGearHead

Link

waterrockets 

That would be so much more impressive if they would kick instead. Cyling legs beneath them, and they're throwing 2-lb arms at each other.

El Diablo Rojo

Wow I'm surprised by Colleges' actions. I've ridden with him quite a bit and he's been pretty cool. I know that he really takes charge of the group in races, and he does intimidate a lot of guys. FWIW he won't have his way with the 35+ group for much longer. A couple of the A- cat ones are moving to the 35+ and will make his life pretty hard.

FixdGearHead

Really, we shouldn't be all that ashamed...have you seen NBA players fight? Pretty much the same embarassing flailing of arms and slaps

waterrockets 

Yeah, my past interactions with him were positive. I've never seen this kind of stuff in the Tuesday Nighter before. I'm not putting too much stake in it, but I am going to attack like an idiot next week. Hopefully someone will be waiting at the finish with a red jersey for me.

patentcad

Ipod.

I've told you twice. That is enough.

You are in God's hands now (maybe not if you ride Campy, but that's another thread).

MDcatV

Maybe its a reason I'm an owner of 7th through 11th place, but honestly, when things get confrontational to the point of throwing elbows/shoulders and the like when fighting for a wheel, I usually give it up. Also a reason I almost always attack multiple times during races, even though I usually dont have the stuff to pull it off. IMO, better finishing a few places back than hooking bars and eating asphalt.

I've had lots of hip touching and that kind of pushing during races but never had anyone grab a fistful of my jersey during a race, that's a tool of a move and would set me off.

waterrockets 

pass

Thanks though