It finally happened: I DROPED THE HAMER!
08-09-15, 09:28 AM
#1
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It finally happened: I DROPED THE HAMER!
So I'm a noob. Only been riding for a year. 54 yrs old, recently quit smoking. Not a Clyde, just not much of a sporting boy.
Anyway, yesterday I was going for my first half-century, riding on rt 27 from Sag Harbor to Montauk, and I was riding along at a pretty decent clip for me, around 17-18mph. So I'm about 20 miles into my ride and some guy comes up on my left and passes me, pulls in front and immediately slows down. Doesn't say anything, doesn't look at me, nuthin! Rude dude.
You know those guys that are all long lean muscle? Tall and lanky. Minimal kit, no saddle bag--totally serious? And they pass you, and maybe you try to follow for a bit but there's just no way in hell you can keep up because they're holding 21mph up a long grade...then they're gone? He was one of those guys. I hate those guys.
So I'm drafting him at ~17mph and mostly coasting, and, call me weird, but I just can't stay there in his contrail of nasty man smell. Now, maybe he's ridden all the way from NYC or something, but why bother to pass me if you're just going to slow down? So I get mad, AND I DROPED THE HAMER! I pass him, and sort of give him this look, and nod, and then take off.
Since I started riding, I haven't really been able to hold 145bpm without seeing spots, but, dammit, I was going to get this guy behind me if it killed me! So I'm HAMERING away, 20...21...22mph, and my heart rate is climbing, and I'm starting to huff and puff, and I get to 140bpm, and I'm expecting to have to back off...but I hold it there and start breathing deeply and keep going! It was the most amazing feeling! For the first part he was drafting me, but as I kept HAMERING he slowly dropped back! And then I was that guy! After a bit he was just a spot in my rear-view, and I never saw him again.
So what a milestone day! I finished my first half-century, AND I DROPED THE HAMER!
Anyway, yesterday I was going for my first half-century, riding on rt 27 from Sag Harbor to Montauk, and I was riding along at a pretty decent clip for me, around 17-18mph. So I'm about 20 miles into my ride and some guy comes up on my left and passes me, pulls in front and immediately slows down. Doesn't say anything, doesn't look at me, nuthin! Rude dude.
You know those guys that are all long lean muscle? Tall and lanky. Minimal kit, no saddle bag--totally serious? And they pass you, and maybe you try to follow for a bit but there's just no way in hell you can keep up because they're holding 21mph up a long grade...then they're gone? He was one of those guys. I hate those guys.
So I'm drafting him at ~17mph and mostly coasting, and, call me weird, but I just can't stay there in his contrail of nasty man smell. Now, maybe he's ridden all the way from NYC or something, but why bother to pass me if you're just going to slow down? So I get mad, AND I DROPED THE HAMER! I pass him, and sort of give him this look, and nod, and then take off.
Since I started riding, I haven't really been able to hold 145bpm without seeing spots, but, dammit, I was going to get this guy behind me if it killed me! So I'm HAMERING away, 20...21...22mph, and my heart rate is climbing, and I'm starting to huff and puff, and I get to 140bpm, and I'm expecting to have to back off...but I hold it there and start breathing deeply and keep going! It was the most amazing feeling! For the first part he was drafting me, but as I kept HAMERING he slowly dropped back! And then I was that guy! After a bit he was just a spot in my rear-view, and I never saw him again.
So what a milestone day! I finished my first half-century, AND I DROPED THE HAMER!
08-09-15, 09:33 AM
#2
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"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
T. Jefferson
08-09-15, 09:33 AM
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08-09-15, 09:41 AM
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Welcome to the 41, you are now officially a "member"
It's nice to realize the fruits of hard work, keep hammering.
It's nice to realize the fruits of hard work, keep hammering.
08-09-15, 09:51 AM
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Awesome tale of triumph!
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
08-09-15, 09:55 AM
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At least 400 watts, maybe 450 !!!
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08-09-15, 10:07 AM
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08-09-15, 10:22 AM
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08-09-15, 11:09 AM
#9
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Thanks everybody! I finally feel like I'm justifying the THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS I've spent on this crazy hobby!
There were actually two more milestones yesterday: 1) I crossed a hundred miles for the weekend and, 2) I DID 32.5MPH IN A 30 ZONE! (Backside of these great rollers on the old Montauk highway.) Woohoo!
i really do feel in some way that I've arrived as a roadie.
There were actually two more milestones yesterday: 1) I crossed a hundred miles for the weekend and, 2) I DID 32.5MPH IN A 30 ZONE! (Backside of these great rollers on the old Montauk highway.) Woohoo!
i really do feel in some way that I've arrived as a roadie.
08-09-15, 11:35 AM
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08-09-15, 11:35 AM
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08-09-15, 12:02 PM
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This happens in every form of transportation. Obviously on the highway in automobile, but also on the sidewalk on foot, singletrack on MTB, snowmobile on iced lake, etc.
It's people being competitive. Sometimes subconsciously, sometimes rudely. Seeing something in front of them gives them a physical marker of a 'goal', and once they've 'beaten' it they slow because there's nothing for them ahead to reach and have this poor form of motivation stay. It's just another example of how Darwinism doesn't exist in the human race anymore.
It's people being competitive. Sometimes subconsciously, sometimes rudely. Seeing something in front of them gives them a physical marker of a 'goal', and once they've 'beaten' it they slow because there's nothing for them ahead to reach and have this poor form of motivation stay. It's just another example of how Darwinism doesn't exist in the human race anymore.
08-09-15, 12:05 PM
#14
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I just have to LOL.... OP joined in 2014 (not a judgement statement btw...) and RyanF is STILL being quoted!!! To the OP....well done!!! 
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Droping the hamer since '86
Droping the hamer since '86
08-09-15, 12:25 PM
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Good for you! Don't you just love that endorphin high. Use to get it every ride. Now that I'm 63 I have to fight for it!
08-09-15, 01:15 PM
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08-09-15, 01:16 PM
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+1, IMHO you're right. Him using you as a rabbit to chase and catch is fine. Passing you is fine. Slowing down after passing, is NOT fine, just plain wrong. Sounds like he used up his reserve catching you, then thought he was faster and passed you, but realized too late he had nothing left in the tank and had to slow down. I'm certain he was embarrassed when you passed him. If not, he should have been.
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08-09-15, 01:48 PM
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08-09-15, 03:15 PM
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You just found out what you are capable of.
08-09-15, 05:20 PM
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do cops usually care about a speeding cyclist? say in a 40kph zone and you are going 50. i have yet to encounter an opportunity to try and get a speeding ticket.
08-09-15, 06:14 PM
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Most of the time, I seriously doubt it, but they might care in a school zone, in which case I would not be so eager to frame the ticket.
