After a yr haitus from any "charity rides", I did the Lancaster Bike Club's covered bridge metric century. I did this for 2 reasons; 1, I was going to ride with my friend, Dave, who I haven't seen in over a yr and 2, I probably should ride a ride >2 hrs if I want to finish the Livestrong Challenge century without dying. I get near the place and traffic is actually backed up onto the interstate. Me, being incredibly clever and hating to sit in that mess, go down to the next exit, head back up, and BAM!, no waiting.
Reg line was well run and quick, meet Dave at the port-o-potties, and notice on the way over, that there are an INCREDIBLE # of Freds, Posers, and soon to be named, Douchschnozzles. A veritable clusterf*ck of them. I am fearful for our lives. I have no worries w/Dave; he's an experienced rider and knows what the h*ll he's doing.
We go off and go zipping by group by group of people totally oblivious to the fact that they are on public roads, not the TdF and yes, there are cops at intersections but there are also cars behind and coming the other way; you DON'T have the right to take up the whole friggin lane. The inevitable "racer dudes" go by in pseudo-pacelines, only to have us (ok, me) pass them at the top of the hills. A side note; do not wear a 1) polka dot 2) green or 3) Maillot Juane if you haven't earned it!
We see Rabbit at the lunch stop. Minus his "posse". Meh. End up in decent shape (miles 42 on were uncharted territory for me this yr). A good ride, no one died (that I know of) and we didn't get taken out by any Douchschnoozles. Yay. I think I may make the century next weekend. Although I won't try to keep a17-18mph pace like we did today. Unless they want to. :-) And tomorrow it's cross training in earnest! Plyo! Intervals! Dead legs! Whee!
4 comments:
Someone did die but I haven't been able to find out who or the exact circumstances. From what I heard, a cyclist went around a corner too hot, lost control and slammed head on into a car coming the other way.
Yikes! I saw the aftermath of that. My buddy Dave saw the body on a stretcher. He thought it WAS a body but someone behind us said they just had them covered up to prevent shock. It was a nasty turn. You have to pay attention all the time out there. My best goes out to the family.
I'm amazed that you could tell all this just by standing in line or the clothes someone was wearing. Just curious, which one are you? A Fred, PoseUr, or Douchschnozzles? And please tell us Mr. “incredibly clever” how far up the hill did you suck wheel in order to pass someone/anyone at the top? Here’s to hoping you won’t waste your time with this ride next year. That’d be good news for everyone.
Sarcasm is lost on the printed page. Yes, these rides generally are a waste of time, for me, anyway. But I have done it so that I can ride with people I haven't seen in a while. These rides are recipes for disaster (see 1st comment). People who don't pay attention to what they're doing are generally the culprits in such instances, no matter how tragic.
FWIW-I don't "suck" anyone's wheel in such an event for above reasons. Gawd knows what the person in front of you will do. These things are WAY more dangerous than any race I've ever done.
Post a Comment