Sunday, April 20, 2008

Roll out the skinny tires

The road bikes are finally hitting the pavement. They were all over town this weekend. The last time mine touched the ground was when I rode it across my brother’s driveway in Kansas City after a week of riding last October. I took it off the trainer Friday night and then spent the weekend reminding myself how fat I got this winter.

After a 27-miler with Ken and Heather on Saturday, I did a solo ride up Potter Valley Road on Sunday. And I didn’t let myself time the climb. Some things are best left unknown this early in the season.

The great thing about cycling is that progress comes quickly. A few more rides and I might start feeling good again.

Oh, hell, who am I kidding? The best thing about cycling is that it’s fun even when you suck.

I was about a quarter of the way up Potter Valley when I allowed myself to think, “Hey, this doesn’t hurt that bad.” Then a guy on a Cervelo cruised up beside me, said, “How ya doin?” and left me eating dust as he shot up the hill.

I reeled him in and beat him to the top, of course. (Good thing he stopped to chat with his friends at the halfway point.)

It was a beautiful ride: The sun was shining, the air was a warm 50 degrees, my heart didn’t explode out of my chest, and I got the first hill climb of the season out of the way.

They all get easier from here ... right?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

'They all get easier from here ... right?"

The kids sent me to ask for their bunny hill back.
/me points vaguely in the direction of McKinley
Now there is a hill. Once you've done that one there are no "hills". But if I were you I wouldn't sweat it. Saddle up and learn to enjoy the ride. Mr designer bike will have his offdays too. Not to mention while you enjoy a lovely crisp February day doing frigid bits he's probably holed up in a glorified jail cell spinning a trainer.

You win.

Damn. Did I just skool Tim?

Groover said...

Glad to hear that the weather finally did improve. Enjoy the climbing. If you ever do enjoy it 'cause the bad news are: It doesn't get easier. You just get faster and it'll hurt just the same.

Looking forward to reading more about your skinny tyre adventures for the next few months.