Mark B
Zen MBB Master
I've been all too long off the Cruzbike, again. I got all tangled up with motorcycles for a while. Anything with two wheels, I guess. I decided my britches were getting too tight and my wind running short, but I knew just what to do.
A buddy talked me into doing a ride in December and that was fun. Just a nice, easy 20 miler, but fun.
After the first of the year, I decided I was going to get myself whipped back into shape, so I lubed up the chain, pumped up the tires and did a ride last weekend at my own pace, which is usually all that I can bear. Pretty much a flat ride of the 23 mile range and just over a 15 mph average. The climbs, though they were few, really taxed my lungs and on one little uphill, I though I might have a chest cavity explosion. Of course, it didn't happen, but I swear it was close!
I've been spending my lunch hours walking and climbing stairs in an effort to further the fitness cause and it seems to be paying dividends. Today, I went out and did basically the same ride, but extended it on both ends, such that I ended up with 41 miles. Yes, I probably overdid it, but the climbs that I suffered on last week were much better, I barely noticed them. I had fun on the way out when I jumped in behind a couple roadies. I didn't have the confidence to blast around them; I figured they would probably reel me right back in, so I sat on their six and half-listened to their political conversation. They didn't know I was there for the longest time and finally, one of them noticed and leaned over to talk quietly with his friend. They picked up the pace a little and pulled away from me momentarily, but I caught right back up to them on a short little climb. I heard the one guy say, "He's still there!" They pulled over at the next turnout and let me go past. I sat at my turnaround for a few minutes and stretched my legs a little. Those guys came past and pretended to not see me. Another older couple I had passed stopped and remarked about my bike, referring to it as "that thing". It always cracks me up how people always refer to it that way. I was feeling pretty good. I hadn't expected to chase down roadies... In fact, I went out of my way not too. I was sitting at my turnaround with a 16.2 average and thinking.... "Heck, I'll be back up to speed in no time!' Reality set in on the long river grade haul back home, which toasted my average. I was running a solid 16.2 average most of the ride, but dipped just below 15 to finish the ride at 14.9. Slow, but I was happy with it, for now, only my third ride back and toting several extra pounds.
Those that know me may remember I used to run with a local bike club. I am looking forward to riding with them again, but will wait until I feel like I can jump in and not slow anybody down. Oh sure, they would wait for me, but I'd feel obliged to apologize all over myself and regale them with all my glory years stories. I don't want to be that guy.
It was a fun day and glad to be back on the Cruzbike. My riding technique certainly hasn't suffered, despite the extended (2-3) year layoff.
Mark
A buddy talked me into doing a ride in December and that was fun. Just a nice, easy 20 miler, but fun.
After the first of the year, I decided I was going to get myself whipped back into shape, so I lubed up the chain, pumped up the tires and did a ride last weekend at my own pace, which is usually all that I can bear. Pretty much a flat ride of the 23 mile range and just over a 15 mph average. The climbs, though they were few, really taxed my lungs and on one little uphill, I though I might have a chest cavity explosion. Of course, it didn't happen, but I swear it was close!
I've been spending my lunch hours walking and climbing stairs in an effort to further the fitness cause and it seems to be paying dividends. Today, I went out and did basically the same ride, but extended it on both ends, such that I ended up with 41 miles. Yes, I probably overdid it, but the climbs that I suffered on last week were much better, I barely noticed them. I had fun on the way out when I jumped in behind a couple roadies. I didn't have the confidence to blast around them; I figured they would probably reel me right back in, so I sat on their six and half-listened to their political conversation. They didn't know I was there for the longest time and finally, one of them noticed and leaned over to talk quietly with his friend. They picked up the pace a little and pulled away from me momentarily, but I caught right back up to them on a short little climb. I heard the one guy say, "He's still there!" They pulled over at the next turnout and let me go past. I sat at my turnaround for a few minutes and stretched my legs a little. Those guys came past and pretended to not see me. Another older couple I had passed stopped and remarked about my bike, referring to it as "that thing". It always cracks me up how people always refer to it that way. I was feeling pretty good. I hadn't expected to chase down roadies... In fact, I went out of my way not too. I was sitting at my turnaround with a 16.2 average and thinking.... "Heck, I'll be back up to speed in no time!' Reality set in on the long river grade haul back home, which toasted my average. I was running a solid 16.2 average most of the ride, but dipped just below 15 to finish the ride at 14.9. Slow, but I was happy with it, for now, only my third ride back and toting several extra pounds.
Those that know me may remember I used to run with a local bike club. I am looking forward to riding with them again, but will wait until I feel like I can jump in and not slow anybody down. Oh sure, they would wait for me, but I'd feel obliged to apologize all over myself and regale them with all my glory years stories. I don't want to be that guy.
It was a fun day and glad to be back on the Cruzbike. My riding technique certainly hasn't suffered, despite the extended (2-3) year layoff.
Mark
