Road Bike Racing - Here's what I get out of racing.

Fitness.

Today I finished 4th on the local 'Hump' ride, mostly racer dudes, goes right past the camel farm. The problem with this ride is a mile long gradual climb that finishes with a 10% grinder at the top, combined with 4 of the faster dudes in NY State, including the guy who's ranked #1 in time trials for 35+. That's a nasty formula for getting shelled, and I often have been dropped on this ride. Not today, even with all those dudes there. Felt like I was one of the stronger guys on that ride today. I was riding in the saddle tempo in the little ring up every climb and felt very relaxed and comfortable. I have a history of getting my head handed to me on the ride. Not today. That's a good feeling, like you're getting something out of all those workouts and races.

That's why I race. It makes you faster.

I remember that feeling last year. Then yesterday, I got dropped by a dude with a helmet mirror during hill repeats.

I remember that feeling last year. Then yesterday, I got dropped by a dude with a helmet mirror during hill repeats.

The guy that got 3rd today was 20lbs overweight, doesn't ride much, and certainly doesn't race. If he lost 10 lbs and raced he'd be crushing us all in 60 days. This on a ride where the faster guys are Cat 2/3. He was right there. Amazing.

I told him to forget bike racing, that's it's a Wussy Sport. I think he believed me. I hope so at any rate.

That's cycling. At least he didn't have a newspaper boy bike with baskets.

The guy that got 3rd today was 20lbs overweight, doesn't ride much, and certainly doesn't race. If he lost 10 lbs and raced he'd be crushing us all in 60 days. This on a ride where the faster guys are Cat 2/3. He was right there. Amazing.

I told him to forget bike racing, that's it's a Wussy Sport. I think he believed me. I hope so at any rate.

That's cycling. At least he didn't have a newspaper boy bike with baskets.

Now if you were smart you would have asked him to join your team.

Now if you were smart you would have asked him to join your team.

If I were smart I wouldn't be involved in this stupid sport at all.

If I were smart I wouldn't be involved in this stupid sport at all.

True...

I bet I could *look* better running and lifting. I sure wouldn't have a broken face right now either.

Your words are wise old man.

Podium in the future Caddy?


True...

I bet I could *look* better running and lifting. I sure wouldn't have a broken face right now either.

Your words are wise old man.

But running will f you up in the long run and your knees and shins will hate for life. Bike racing will f you up eventually too but atleast its a tad lighter on the joints.

If I could come up with some other way to maintain my sanity, I'd be doing it. Cycling is what works for me. There are stupid aspects to the sport (stick around BF long enough and that becomes readily apparent) but it's like nothing else. And I don't know why.

I don't try to figure it out. I just ride. I come here because the hand-wringing and cluelessness never fail to entertain. But mostly for the Schwag. BF leads me to more Schwag.

Podium in the future Caddy?



But running will f you up in the long run and your knees and shins will hate for life. Bike racing will f you up eventually too but atleast its a tad lighter on the joints.

Tell my jaw that ;)

Tell my jaw that ;)

Well, chicks dig scars dude :p.

Note to b: I got the buzz cut and the beard will be back by next week sweetie.

Fitness.

Today I finished 4th on the local 'Hump' ride, mostly racer dudes, goes right past the camel farm. The problem with this ride is a mile long gradual climb that finishes with a 10% grinder at the top, combined with 4 of the faster dudes in NY State, including the guy who's ranked #1 in time trials for 35+. That's a nasty formula for getting shelled, and I often have been dropped on this ride. Not today, even with all those dudes there. Felt like I was one of the stronger guys on that ride today. I was riding in the saddle tempo in the little ring up every climb and felt very relaxed and comfortable. I have a history of getting my head handed to me on the ride. Not today. That's a good feeling, like you're getting something out of all those workouts and races.

That's why I race. It makes you faster.

pCaddy, you have an innate talent for stating the obvious. ;)


Note to b: I got the buzz cut and the beard will be back by next week sweetie.

duly noted.

Fitness.

Today I finished 4th on the local 'Hump' ride, mostly racer dudes, goes right past the camel farm. The problem with this ride is a mile long gradual climb that finishes with a 10% grinder at the top, combined with 4 of the faster dudes in NY State, including the guy who's ranked #1 in time trials for 35+. That's a nasty formula for getting shelled, and I often have been dropped on this ride. Not today, even with all those dudes there. Felt like I was one of the stronger guys on that ride today. I was riding in the saddle tempo in the little ring up every climb and felt very relaxed and comfortable. I have a history of getting my head handed to me on the ride. Not today. That's a good feeling, like you're getting something out of all those workouts and races.

That's why I race. It makes you faster.

So true. Last year, I was getting dropped all the time. This year, I'm one of the strong guys on group rides, and I'm even hanging with guys who would've dropped me in seconds last year. Of course, what this really points out to me is how outrageously fast the good racers really are, thus enhancing my feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. It's a win-win situation, really.

So true. Last year, I was getting dropped all the time. This year, I'm one of the strong guys on group rides, and I'm even hanging with guys who would've dropped me in seconds last year. Of course, what this really points out to me is how outrageously fast the good racers really are, thus enhancing my feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. It's a win-win situation, really.

The Pcad Cycling Zen is strong in you young weenie. Yet we must always be wary of the ever present danger of Endorphin Overdose.

Those fast guys are from the VO2Max Star System. Their leader on Planet Earth is powerful. You know him as Dr. W. ODonnell.