Banzai

A friend of mine at work has been talking for a while about training for a triathlon. Being the good friend that I am, I talked him out of a Tri bike (he's wasn't even a cyclist yet) and helped him find a used C'dale R900 with Campy Record and Campy Proton wheels, vice the POS new bike he could afford. I also suggested that to help "train", he should ride in to work with my regular riding buddy and I.

The bike arrive yesterday. I put it all together for him, and this morning was the ride. I think it was eye-opening for him.

Regular riding buddy suggested we show him some "new guy appreciation" by dropping him on all the climbs...then spinning to wait at the top, but accelerating back out when he caught up. Ok...we're mean. But new guy is a fellow pilot, he can take it.

The best part is...new guy forgot to zip his backpack all the way...and scattered clothes and boots down a mile of state highway shoulder! We didn't notice at first, because when he noticed was after we'd dropped him again, and he was so far back he couldn't get our attention when he turned around. Eventually we did figure it out, and we doubled back to get him.

We were a little rough on the new guy...but he had a great time, and he's fired up to improve his fitness and speed. Much like on my first commute, he thought it was very refreshing and liberating to be out on a bike instead of in a car.

Just like swallowing the red pill.

I can't wait to see if he's still fired up for the ride home. 11.5 miles each way...not bad for his first commute, and we set a pretty brutal pace for him.

liquidsoul

That is some good stuff right there! Just keep him motivated. I am also training for a tri and motivation is the key.