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Yesterday was interval day, but due to the high heat index I opted for an easier training plan. I figured riding, even if at a lower exertion level was better than not riding at all. Needless to say I was a little down on myself for being a wimp and this negative attitude seemingly caused the headwinds to have a little more teeth and gave the hills a little more grade.

Shortly before the midway point of my ride, I was still mired in a funk nearly as blue as my riding attire, but now with the wind at my back my cadence quickened and the outlook for the ride was clearing some. Suddenly, I was jolted back to reality by the sound of two short blasts from an airhorn. A quick glance over my shoulder didn’t reveal the source of the horn, then I heard it again, followed by someone, somewhere yelling something indistinguishable. Bewildered, my eyes searched the horizon for the source of this rude interruption to my pity party. My confusion was slowly turning to anger as once again I heard yelling and more brays of the airhorn. It was then I noticed a farm truck sitting off in a field, as a combine worked to gather wheat to load the truck, the truck driver stood on the running board of the truck’s cab. I was now close enough to see the driver as he reached into the truck cab and yanked on the horn cord with one hand and pumped his balled fist on his free hand in the air.

What was this fool doing I thought to myself? Here’s this guy out in the field jumping up and down, blowing the horn and generally making a spectacle of himself, and what the heck was he yelling? I was nearly close enough to make out his ranting, sounds like “GO something GO”. Lance?, is he yelling “GO LANCE GO”? Yes that’s it, he’s cheering me, the guy is actually encouraging me to ride, how awesome is that!! The anger that had been building inside melted, my legs found new speed, my grimace morphed into a grin, yes, even riding at a reduced level was better than not riding on this day thanks to a farmer who had gone Postal.

Thanks dude.

Guillermo

It works on so many levels!!

Gus Riley

cool!! even on a hot day!

LittleBigMan

This happened to me on the way to work. Some guy starts shouting at me and I think, "I'll ignore this bozo." As he passes me, he sticks his fist out the window and pretends to "make a muscle" as he shouts, "C'mon! Grrrrr!!"

Love it when that happens. Or the time that huge group of ladies out on a long-distance "cancer walk" started hollering at me on my bike. "Whoo-hoo!"

(Lots of energy, all of a sudden!)

1oldRoadie

In western Oklahoma there are a group of wheat farmers that show up a a lot of the oneday tours here.

They drive up in their 4door dually pickup trucks, get out wearing bib overalls.

They then pull the tarp off the back of the truck and under the tarp is a $3000 highend rode bike. They then pull off the overalls and expose a $300 yellow and red skinsuit.

I DON'T TRUST ANYONE ANYMORE!

MediaCreations 

A week and a half ago I rode with 3 Canadian brothers on the first day of their 4700 km fund raising trip from Fremantle, Western Australia to Sydney, New South Wales.

Their parents are following them in a campervan with huge banners pointing out the charities that they're supporting.

A lot of the cars were honking and waving arms out of their windows. The guys were getting a little uneasy because they thought all the drivers were annoyed with them. I had to point out that they were seeing the banners and honking in support.

They felt a lot better after that and started waving back to the drivers.

RiPHRaPH

every year the minneapolis to chicago AIDS ride rides right past my work. every year i go out during lunch and cheer and shout encouragement. it is a blast.

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I really am starting to think LA, the Posties and Le Tour are reaching a larger audience this year.

Tonight the flagman at a road construction site feigned clicking a stopwatch as I passed.

This is more positive feedback from the public in one week than I remember getting all year previous.