So........it was a somewhat disappointed group of 20 or so milling around the shop yesterday, kitting up and talking about the much-better-than-forecast weather outside. "Where's the 'wintery mix'?" "Whats' w/all the sunshine?" "What 'plummeting temps?" and other such comments were commonly overheard as we got ready to roll.
It's weird that way......although if you're reading this it may well not seem weird at all.....but it seems like a main component of a great ride is having some horrible weather thrown into the mix. I know that I was mentally prepared to be miserable yesterday - and the fact that I wasn't didn't ruin the ride by any means but it did change it. Still - we had a blast. 30 miles, 7 of it gravel and what seemed like most of it into a stiff west wind that had us lookin' @ single digit speeds once in awhile. My group included JD, Ross, Tom W., J2 and Berger and we amused ourselves by goin' outta our way lookin' for mud puddles and extra "Flahute Points". Big fun!
("Flahute" is a Flemish word used to describe the 'hard men' of that region who are always out there in the wet and wind training for the Spring Classics)
Back at the shop there were tacos w/all the fixin's and a buncha dirty dudes.
Speaking of "dudes" - there were exactly zero riders of the female persuasion on this ride and that reminds of the truest thing I ever heard Berger say. Now - Brier Berger is one of those "still waters rub deep" sorta guys and for all we know he's chock-full of pithy wisdom but last Friday he said one of the truest things I've EVER heard anyone say about riding. We had done the Bagel Ride despite the fact that it was 45 degrees -n-raining so we had no one to blame but ourselves when we rolled up to the cafe as 4 popsicles. Soaking wet, chilled to the bone and most likely hypothermic we sat, a little table of misery, in the middle of the bagel shop, dripping on the floor w/ numb hands cupped around coffee, tea and hot cider. At one point Greg pointed out through chattering teeth that KP, despite having the day off and looking forward to a ride was a no-show. That led Berger to observe that "Yeah, there's never any women on these stupid rides." to general agreement.
And it's true. And by no means a knock on our cycling sisters in any way - I know and ride with LOTS of way hardcore ladies - but when it comes to what Berger so adroitly termed a "stupid ride".......they're smart enough to say no.
Maybe when I grow up I'll be that smart.
Anyway - the ride was a blast and it's great to have the Fun-Raiser Series back on the calendar. It's Chilly Chili Ride time in less than 2 weeks so it's time to start experimenting w/ this year's recipe. Rumours that Bobby Flay might show up for a chili "throwdown" are just that - rumours! Still, you don't wanna miss this ride, it's one of the best!
Man - the calendar is crazy-full still! Looking ahead @ the next 7 weekends they look like this: Cross Race - Iceman / Chilly Chili Ride - Cross race - Cross Race - Thanksgiving Weekend - State Cross Championships - Cross Race in Holland! Is that cool or what?
I've decided to go w/ my fixxie for the races...at least for the one this weekend. We'll see if that's as stupid an idea as my HupUnited buds seem to think that it is. My theory is that since I have failed utterly - again - to carry my summer fitness into the 'cross season I might as well try something different. Besides, I'll need all the excuses I can get!
Stay tuned - ride lots - vote - get excited/angry/passionate about SOMETHING!
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