Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Jet Travis
05-19-07, 10:49 AM
Thinking of short, medium and long rides, today was the 20th running of the Tour de Madison, a local ride (not race) that brings out serious roadies, Freds, and everything in between. Distance options were 18, 40 and 69 miles.
Normally I would have picked one of the two longer rides, but since I've been nursing a nagging knee problem, I decided to use my head for once and ride the 18 at a recovery pace. The scenery and weather were perfect, and I ended up gently cruising along with a delightful lady who was on a clunky mountain bike she had borrowed. As we ambled along, she told me about her fascinating career traveling the world as a translator for the State Dept. and her plans to climb Mt. Kilamanjaro next year.
I told her about the spirited OCP vs. Fred wars, and she clearly came down on the Fred side, stating that she owned no lycra and had no plans to purchase any, ever. I saw that as my cue to avoid mention of bibs. Taking the slow and easy approach seems to have been good for my knees, and led to a fine conversation.
Sometimes life is better at the back of the pack.
Normally I would have picked one of the two longer rides, but since I've been nursing a nagging knee problem, I decided to use my head for once and ride the 18 at a recovery pace. The scenery and weather were perfect, and I ended up gently cruising along with a delightful lady who was on a clunky mountain bike she had borrowed. As we ambled along, she told me about her fascinating career traveling the world as a translator for the State Dept. and her plans to climb Mt. Kilamanjaro next year.
I told her about the spirited OCP vs. Fred wars, and she clearly came down on the Fred side, stating that she owned no lycra and had no plans to purchase any, ever. I saw that as my cue to avoid mention of bibs. Taking the slow and easy approach seems to have been good for my knees, and led to a fine conversation.
Sometimes life is better at the back of the pack.