Yesterday I was out riding. It was my recovery day, so I wasnt pushing much. That's when he went by. Some dude, grinding away on the same road. He said, "what's up", and looked back to see if I hung with him. I had to. I drafted him for about 1 1/2 miles. We came to the point where I turn on my recovery day. It is much flatter than going straight. Straight there is a monster hill. He looked back to see if I would follow, and I turned. My legs wouldnt have kept up with him. Im tired of being the guy getting looked back at. I want to be the one pushing. That is my goal. By next spring, Ill be that guy.

Don't think of it as embarassment, merely as motivation. All riders know what it's like to not have the same strength as another, just keep working at it and you will be the guy that gets to look back, pushing other riders to their max to hold your wheel.

Just remember what it was like to be the one off the back ....