Muse back!
May 03, 2006 / Wednesday
Short-Lived Bike Glory
In a short segment of my ride to work this morning, I sprinted for a green left turn light and made it, blew by another commuter on a mountain bike, and reached the top of the Caltrain overpass on Wolfe Road in a higher gear than on all of my previous passes.
Toward the top of the overpass, I was feeling pretty happy with myself.
And then a guy on a road bike powered up from behind and passed me. He left me some souvenir dust.
I think this means I need a road bike. ;-)
May 3, 2006 09:11 AM | Bicycle
Comments
Road biking is cool 'cause there are groups of people who do it regularly so it's an instant social group, and there are organized rides where they feed you and pamper you and all.
And downhills in a tuck on a road bike are a completely different experience from skittering all over the pavement on knobbies like you do at high speeds on a mountain bike. Not that both don't have their place, but...
The social component of road biking also extends to drafting, which means instant high speed fun even on flat level ground. And if you can find a tandem team to ride with... ooooh, drafting is soooo much fun, inches of separation at 25+MPH.
Yeah, I just got back into road biking after 20 years off, only this time I'm doing it with other people rather than solo, and I'm riding my first 100 miler tomorrow. And I now have that creepy evangelical glow that happens when someone discovers a cool new experience and feels they have to go sharing it with everyone... I'm planning on the Tollhouse Century in June and I'll probably be staffing the Marin Century / Mt Tam Double in August... see you there?
Posted by: Dan Lyke at May 5, 2006 10:39 AM
Yes, perhaps, if my next road bike somehow doesn't end up having an engine. ;)
It always puts a smile on my face to hear someone speak about something they love doing. It certainly sounds like you've been bitten by the road biking bug!
But I must say, I find speedy road biking kind of scary. Where's the full face helmet and leather suit?! Eeek!
Posted by: Viv at May 5, 2006 11:26 AM
Yeah, well, part of the reason I have a beard revolves around face-plants on asphalt. Bones heal, chicks dig scars... kinda, 'n' all, you know?
BTW, just 'cause I gotta brag: My bike computer tells me 5:45 saddle time for the hundred miles, wall time was probably 6:20 or so, but the next one is going to be waaaay more leisurely.
And, yeah, the reason I keep up with your site is that same excitement; I've no desire to pick up a motorcycle, and I enjoy hockey on pavement & wheels, although not nearly to the extent you pursue it, but that hardcore excitement comes across in your writing.
Posted by: Dan Lyke at May 9, 2006 12:48 PM
Hrmm, that face-plant thing has me thinking that I should perhaps invest in a full-face helmet. Not 'cause I think I really really need it, but because I now have an excuse to buy more gear. Mmm, gear.
Century rides are totally hardcore. That reminds me, maybe if I go on longer rides, I can justify buying a more comfy saddle. LOL.
Posted by: Viv at May 9, 2006 01:18 PM