Is racing like the mafia?
 

Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in...
So I've stepped away from racing over the last few years, save the practice race every week and the odd weekend race.
A new team has formed here in town and I've been included in the mayhem...to the tune of 15 or more races next year...
I guess I'll actually need to train over the winter...and build a disposable race bike.
I'm thinking CAAD9 with Ultegra SL...

yeah, so what.

It's like the Mafia, but fewer movies get made about it.

The Mafia is safer. And you don't have to get up so friggin early either. And it's warmer.

I thought it's more like amphetamines. Look at the psychological effects and you tell me.

Psychological effects of amphetamine can include anxiety and/or general nervousness (by increased norepinephrine), euphoria, metacognition, creative or philosophical thinking, perception of increased energy, increased sense of well being, increase of goal-orientated thoughts or organized behavior, repetitive behavior, increased concentration/mental sharpness, increased alertness, feeling of power or superiority, emotional lability, excitability, talkativeness, an increased expression of aggression or paranoia, and occasionally amphetamine psychosis, typically in a high and/or chronic doses.

Nah. We eat more pasta than the mafia.

you will race or animals get involved

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZtyvlzVm7Y

'Leave the Colnago. Take the canoli.'

15 races in a year?
The Mafia shall expect a fuller commitment.
Capice?

My pal in high school had a 1974 Caprice.

but in true north-eastern italish :leave the colnago, take the canoles."

The minimum was 15...
If I include the spring series and cross, it'll be closer to 25-30.

I'm sorry Don Vittorio, I have nothing left to give...

I felt the same yesterday on my shop group ride. I got SHELLED coming back; I just couldn't keep up with the pace. I felt a little down for a few minutes, but as soon as it was over, I wanted MORE.

Racing makes me feel the same way. I hate it for the first few minutes, and then want to do it again when I'm done!

Your description makes it sound more like a highly addictive drug.

Isn't that exactly what it is?

..and I love being an addict.

Dude. The first rule about Race Club is we don't talk about Race Club.

anyway, I've been known to leave a horse's head in a cat 5 n00b's race bag.

Why a cat 5? I'd leave it in a competitor's bag if he said he wouldn't work for me in the upcoming race. Make him an offer he can't refuse.

I'm not about to start a war with one of the other families. My job is to act as enforcer, keeping the n00bs in check and collecting protection money from them. On local group rides, I carry a baseball bat and whack the ones who can't hold their line.

^ Point well taken.