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!
I do the exact same thing....every once in a while I'll decide to make a pass if there pace is in the 17-18 range, and then I feel I must keep in front at all costs. I ride allot of hills in Va. and this past december was on A1A in Ft. Lauderdale heading north pacing two riders at about 19mph and holding back about 100 feet. This went on for about 5 miles. I decided I would cruise on past them and ramped it up to about 22-23. I never looked back and never slowed down, figuring I'd left them behind. After another 5 miles I took a casual look behind me and there they were. Not dropped, and looking fresh as a daisy. Sped up a little more, figuring my hill riding in Va. would help me at least stay ahead of these flatland riders. About a minute later they passed me giving me that upward nod of the head and little smile....Everything I had, and dropped like a bad penny...Was still fun, and a way better workout than I would have had..
