Started cycling again after a 20 year fly fishing hiatus. Two old climbing, biking and fishing friends now living on the w coast coast convinced me (not hard) to join them on the Eroica California ride in April. When I finally read about the ride (hard) I realized I really did have to train. I cleaned up my steel racer I had built in the late 70s (52/42 by 11-21) and gulped and trained. This was in February and the pandemic was upon us. I wahooed and took to the hilly Pennsylvani roads in March. All solo and while I could read the numbers showing my improvement, I really didn’t know where I stood.
So, in July (Eroica was cancelled, by the way) I reached out to my riding buddies from those many years ago and also joined the regional bike club, I was thrilled to know I could hang. It was a big confidence builder, especially that first long ride with my 20 yr younger pal hanging on and sometimes not.
I like the club B rides averaging 17 and generally push a little harder alone, which I am 80% of the time. My old cycling friends are safer and generally better riders, perhaps because I know what I’m getting. Club rides establish new friendships and get me onto unfamiliar routes. Gotta be extra cautious on a wheel as there are jumpers and erratic riders, and the occasional pia personality. I stay up front to avoid mishaps. At 69 I’m feeling fit, lean and loving the ride (and smug about being the old fit guy). And I’m having little trouble finding things to buy! Kept my Merlin from 1993 but upgraded from campy 8 to 12. Anyway sorry for the ramble. Best, J