Mr. Beanz

Gina thinks this pic is a terrible one but I dig it bigtime! Shows the effort she was putting into our ride today. Got into a little friendly competition with a couple different pair of dudes. I'm a guy that enjoys riding into a headwind, one of my strongpoints. We had just exited the trail we frequent then turned onto Pacific Coast Hwy for a few extra miles. As we hop onto the hiway, I notice a couple of guys coming up from behind us. Only reason I look back at them is to make sure we don't get in their way if the happen to be rolling fast. I see them rolling about the same speed we are so no problem, I don't hinder their pace. I also see a couple other guys a bit behind them.

So we roll up to the stoplight at a crowded intersection. Cars on our left and on our right in the turning lane. Gina and I get ready to roll with traffic when the light turns green. Maybe a foot of space on our left, and maybe a foot on our right. We are single file for safety as we are between cars. As we are stopped a the white line, one guy squeezes between us and the cars. I look at him like WTF! Then his partner squeezes through, double WTF! The first guy looks at me and smiles then says hi! I felt like saying something but whatever, I though it was a stupid move on his part. An arrogant move like as if we are in his skinny little way!

So the light turns green and we are off tightly between cars. Just then the other two guys sprint around us in tight quarters without as little as a "onyerleft", pretty much buzzing us as they fly by. Allright MOFO's, now it's on! We are riding into a headwind so I plan on pacing with them, about 20 yards back so that they realize we are behind and that we aren't drafting them. So the two pair of guys are competing with eachother. I'm just cruising and I feel strong. I plan on blowing by ther butts when I see them weaken. I know they will cause their powerful sprint off the line aint looking so powerful at this point!

So the second set of guys begin to drop off the other two. Oh goody, you guys are dead meat! I lift the pace and Gina stays with me. We roll around them so I look in their faces and smile just to tease them. One guy is looking desparate and I know he's a goner. I let them on our wheels then lift the pace again. "Hey nice bike", then I lift the pace more. OK, byebye!

Then I notice the other two are weakening so I keep the same pace. We roll up behind the second guy but off to the side so that he knows I don't need to suck his wheel. He's looking a little weak in the face kind of like 'twitchy' here!...So we roll on by the two skinny guys!

But we get stopped at another light! Darn, this is where Gina loses ground with her 'not so fast' takeoffs. So again they sprint ahead off the line! But yes sir, once again we catch them and roll around. But again, DARN, another light!

At this point I see Gina really suffering as the sprints off the line are killing her! That's where the picture comes in. Not so pretty but the look on her face is that of suffering. One thing that makes for a great pic is one that shows the determination, the suffering and the effort a rider has applied to his or her ride. Well, at this point she just turned to me and said, "I can't anymore". I knew the sprints were killing her but she gave it her all and did well. Blew away the other two but this time, this Athena just didn't have it. Not bad, we had 40 miles in at this point so she did all I could ask! If I had been alone, I would have blown their doors off with a smile, but since Gina was with me, I let them go! No fun doing it alone, much more fun when the wife kicks arse too. And she did, the picture show it!




" I JUST CAN'T ANYMORE!" The wonderful look of 'earned' pain!

dahoss2002

Great post and pic Mr Beanz!

CbadRider

What a great photo!

She should be proud she could push so hard!

Mr. Beanz

Thanks guys! Yeah, I love it that she can push herself to the max sometimes! Even if we don't win!...I have buds that try to get their wives to ride. They tell me stories of how the wives won't ride cause their heartburn acts up, nails get dirty, all sorts of stuff.

Gina's lost the gallbladder, donated a kidney and has 5 grandkids, but she's out there unleashing 'Gramma Athena' arsewhippins!

BTW, after tomorrow's ride, she'll be over 400 miles for the month and on track for a 3500 mile year 3000 minimum!

CbadRider

Holy moly! Does she chew on nails for a snack?

I think this might be a photo for the " Iron Women of Foo" thread.

CollectiveInk

^^ +1 That's one tough cookie.

Tom Stormcrowe

Beanz, tell her I said she's hot (and I don't mean the weather definition. )

She has nothing to worry about.

txvintage

A tip of the helmet to MS Beanz. Well done.

I'd give anything to just be able to get my wife to cruise around the block with me.

cohophysh

She's a grandma....she doesn't look any older than me

That is one tough woman!

Missbumble 

WOO HOO GO GINA! Tell Mrs. B that Miss B thinks she is awesome!

Raven87

On the auto enthusiast forums I frequent, we call what you did a "Kill Story"; you put someone in his place in style. Congratulations.

And you wife deserves some TLC for hanging in there. The pic was great and said it all. She should be proud as well.

Loved reading your post. I felt like I was there with you and that is a hard feeling to convey sometimes.

Mr. Beanz

Thank guys! Thanks Steve! Mrs. B-Miss B, I like that!...You're right Tom, it was cold out there but yet, still HOT!

bmorey

Nice color coordination!

Neil_B

Amazing Amazon you have there, Mr. Beanz.

I have a friend who can't get his wife to ride. She doesn't want to wear a helmet because it messes up her hair.

uncadan8

Awesome story, man. Clyde and Athena Power! I love it.

vXhanz

Good job, nice story

Mr. Beanz

Hahahaha! Thanx! Funny cause I think Gina would rather wear a helmet than style her hair! She's one of the natural beauties IMO. In the 21 years we've been together, seen her with lipstick 2 times and nail polish maybe twice. Couple of earrings and a pony tail and she's ready to go!