Last night's commute

Yesterday was the day I've been waiting for all year. Opportunities for silly commuter racing have been pretty slim this year. Perhaps I haven't been in the right place at the right time. I know I'm not that fast, but I pass a lot of other cyclists, and very few have taken up the challenge to chase me. To date, no one has passed me while I was riding my road bike. I've been beaten a couple of times while riding my mountain bike, but only by people who looked like they should be able to beat me (i.e., guys on road bikes).

Last night, I was riding home on my road bike, and came up behind a guy on a mountain bike. A 29er with front suspension and big knobby tires. I caught up at a stop light and we exchanged curt hellos. This guy looked like a pretty serious cyclist; he was wearing the gear, and had on a Camelbak hydration system. I could also tell by looking at him that he was in pretty good shape. I knew that this guy would be up for a challenge.

The light turned green, and he took off like a shot. He really knew how to work his gears to get the best possible acceleration. The first thing I noticed as he pedaled away was, Ho. Lee. Crap!, his calves were bigger than my quads (which admittedly isn't saying much). I gave chase and soon the road started going downhill. This guy didn't let up for an instant. I managed to keep up, staying a few meters behind him, but just barely. He knew I was there, too, as he would glance back at me periodically. Ultimately, the race ended because we caught up to some cars and had to slow down (there was a timid driver going under the speed limit...grrrr), and once we got to the bottom of the hill, he went east and I went west.

Even though the race didn't last enough to determine a clear winner, I know when I've been beaten. Had the race continued on flat ground, I have my doubts that I would have been able to keep up for long. Ever since I got my road bike this year, I've been waiting to be humiliated by another cyclist, and it finally happened, and I'm glad. Keeps me honest.

This morning's commute

About 12C and raining lightly. I decided to wear my rain jacket, but despite claims to be breathable while still repelling rain, I sweltered in that stupid jacket, and ended up drenched anyway. I would have been drier without it. Half an hour after I got to work, the heavens opened, and the real rain started.

I recently had to change my route due to some construction. Evidently, I'm still programmed to ride the old route, as I suddenly realized I was heading the wrong way (the old way) and had to backtrack to my new route. Lost in my own thoughts, I guess.