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:
'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?
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.
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