Originally Posted by 2ndGen

I call that a "wolf pack mentality".

When I see someone ahead of me, I pick up my pace to keep up with them, but will hang back a good 50 feet so that they don't feel like I'm right on their arse. If they keep a good pace, I don't try to pass them. I use them to motivate me. I just want to run with the pack.

The dumbest thing I did was to crank it up to catch up with these two hardcore riders that blew by me as I was about to come to a rest stop. I opened up and gave everything I had to keep a steady 20+mph pace with these guys and I managed to keep up with them for a couple of miles until they hung a left at a light. They turned to see that the guy they passed on a bike that probably cost me 1/10th of what their rigs cost them was right up there with them, gave me a smile and a nod. I nodded and smiled and after another mile, reached my destination where I collapsed!

That shi! is so cool.

When my riding bud and I get a chance to ride, he definitely takes me to the next level. When I think about slowing down, the thought immediately comes to mind "what will he think of me if I slack?" He races. When I ride with him, I get a hard workout, but I never fall behind and I do things I normally wouldn't. The biggest compliment he gave me was a big "thanks" for riding with him, that it pushes him too.

Which reminds me...I'm online too much. I need to be riding.

Is winter over yet?

Grrrr!