tsl

Every once in a while, everything clicks. Trust me on this, it doesn't happen very often. This is far from the norm for me.

This afternoon I was on my way from one job to the other. This route takes me under the main rail line from New York to Chicago—four tracks wide. The road narrows from five lanes (four with a center left turn lane) to two through underpass (built in 1909) then widens again to five lanes on the other side. I generally take the lane and hammer down the underpass so that I don't get squeezed underneath.

Today, I was stuck behind an old guy in a Buick. I rode the brakes down the underpass. It really annoys me when I have to ride the brakes on a descent. Next thing I knew, I was drafting him up the other side. Gee whiz, I thought, (or NSFW words to that effect), I'm actually drafting!

Back on the flats after the underpass, it was frustrating because I knew I could go faster than the Buick, even without drafting. The speed limit is 30 MPH there and we were not quite to 25. My first time drafting, and I'm drafting a slow-poke.

Fortunately, the guy looked like he was going to make a right at the next intersection. I could feel it. What did I do?

I looked over my shoulder and found the left lane was clear. Already in my 52, I upshifted the rear, dialed it up to 400 watts™, shouted "On yer left!", (force of habit... really) swung into the left lane and passed the Buick! (Dagnabbit! I forgot to give him the look™ as I went by too.)

I even cleared the next intersection on the yellow. I've never cleared that light. This made me so excited, I stayed in the big ring and hammered all the way to work. Top speed today: 31.1 MPH. I coulda got a ticket!

Of course, karma caught up with me on the way home. Light rain and I flatted turning left into the post office, where I sent off both of my DiNotte headlights to be upgraded. I miss them already.

When I came out, rummaging through my trunk bag, I found I'd left my multi-tool in my seat bag after last night's group ride. There's no way to get the wheel off without one since I'd ditched the QR skewers for a set of Delta Axelrodz when I got my custom wheels. Walked the bike a mile to the LBS to buy a second multi-tool, so I'll have one in each bag at all times from now on. Maybe I should get a set of P-handle wrenches for at home too, so the multi-tools never have to leave their bags.

Anyway, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

mirage1

Great morning! Silly ol' Buick, he couldn't have stepped it up a bit for ya, though?!

Ryanf

good job