gravityslip

I realized today, that i use my OCP tendencies as a training tool. See, if i dress the part, and i look like im hardcore (matching colors, jersey, bar tape, bottles, etc) i fear that if someone see's me going slow, i will be labeled a poseur. Whether its a cyclist passing by on their bike, or worse yet in their car (which i wouldnt know they are a cyclist) it pushes me to go hard all the time. I want to look fast, but more importantly i want to ride fast and push myself as far as i can go. So looking the part helps.

Anyone else do this?

Serpico

get help... please

LA_Rider

Yes, the embarrassment of getting passed by a dood carrying groceries - while in your best OCP kit, is a good motivator.

thewalrus

doesn't help when the guy with groceries is riding a $450 Giant with 38mm tires... in tennis shoes... on plastic block pedals.

gravityslip

Im still waiting to get passed.

55/Rad

Hmmm - too good for this group. Go hang out in the racing forum.

Sooner Rider

If you REALLY want motivation, go drop $6-7k on the bike!

pedex

enter an alleycat race or go downtown and find a messenger.......most of us take a perverse pleasure in impromptu races, helps break up the monotony of riding all day against cars

pigmode

Are you saying that fear of dorkiness is a positive motivational factor? I agree, because that's one of the principle bases for male dominated society.

Hipcycler

gravityslip,

I know not where you came from, nor how long you have been around here.
Yet with this one, elegantly-stated post, I feel a strong bond with you. For you, in one simple post, have expressed an emotion that is so OCP and has so fueled me for the past several seasons....why.....why....it....it...almost brings a tear to my dry morning eyes...

Wonderful my friend.
It's good to have you in the brotherhood.

kosherdave

I agree, and especially on hills. I punch up the hills, figuring, I'm all decked out, on an expensive bike and I'm thin and small, I should climb well... I also find myself trying not to grunt or make any facial expressions. This is all very silly, but I've gotten in hella better shape with this attitude than I would by simply not caring! It's ironic: Fear of looking weak has made me a much stronger rider! But I still fear getting dropped, there's always someone faster!

cydewaze

After the Lancaster ride, gravityslip has become my motivator. Chasing his 120 lb azz up those hills has also been weight-loss incentive.

Now if only I could stop eating those cheese curls...

btw, gravityslip, quit lurkin and start posting! Jess and I were starting to wonder if you had become a hood ornament.



It's my fault. I swelled his head up by getting dropped by him on multiple consecutive climbs on our last ride.

badkarma

That's a rather pompous thing to say, go enter some Cat1 races and see where you end up.

Keith99

And funny since he is worried about actng the part of a real racer. Rreal racers ride their training ride. I've passed top level racers who were out riding. Of course it was when they were cooling down after hills that would have killed me. We said hi and then I went on faster (my ride).

Serpico

OCP can pass most pro-level cyclists... in their minivan