Originally Posted by Herbie53

My weekend rides have taken on a somewhat more sedate off season pace, that said there are always a few guys that want to stretch a little here and there.

There was one of many such times this Sunday. Not sure who or exactly how, but as we motored down the shoulder of a local highway into a pretty good breeze, somebody hit the gas and blew the group apart. I was on the wrong side of the split and had to bridge. It was a long sustained effort, basically like a sprint lead out / 1k effort to get across...

....as I did that I thought to myself... if only I had more aero wheels/frame, electronic shifting, magical friction free bearings, a bike made of unobtainium, fewer/more graphics, some mace to spray at dogs, and 11 vs. fewer gears on the rear cog... No, I did not think of those at all. I just cherished the moment of being able to suffer through the effort and took in the satisfaction that I get to continue playing on bikes.

For me the fancy bike/bike stuff are a tribute to those moments. Nothing more.