li10up
07-13-2007, 09:57 AM
Now that the rain and clouds are gone the temps here are just out of sight. The heat just zaps my strength. I made a comment the other day that I may reverse hibernate. Ride the trainer in the summer and ride outside all winter. So, needless to say, my riding is suffering...I've been much slower lately. But then there was yesterdays ride...
The ride is listed as intermediate. I decide that I need to keep pluggin' away at it so I show up. There are 8 of us braving the heat and humidity...100 degree heat index. We start out slow and get warmed up. The pace starts to pick up and a group of three pull away. There is a guy in front of me pulling us along. He starts to fade so I pull up along side of him. What...a girl trying to pass me? No way, he says to himself so he steps on the gas and pulls ahead of me again. I tuck back on to his wheel. He starts to fade again, this time he has no choice...he has to let the girl go 'cause the tank is nearing empty. I pull for a long time. I'm feeling really good. I look at my computer...20mph and holding. The heat isn't killing me. I love riding! Then it hits. The needle on my gas gauge starts dipping into the red zone. I look over my left shoulder and then pull over and watch 'em go by. I grab onto the last wheel and with every fiber of my being I manage to hang on till we crest the hill. After that I'm pretty much off the back with one other rider. With about 3 miles to go I'm getting a bit of a second wind and pick up my speed and catch up to the main group. One of guys turns and looks at me and says, "Wow, you've really improved since the last time I rode with you." I casually say, "Thanks." Inside I'm just busting with joy! We get back to our launch point and a riding buddy of mine who is stronger and has been riding for years comes over to me and says, "You know, riding with you has really made me stronger. I felt really good today and had no problem staying in the front." I tell her, "Thanks." But again, inside I'm feeling pretty good about myself.
So to all of you strong riders out there who find it in themselves to give us other riders a pat on the back every now and then...THANK YOU. As for me, I know it really helps to keep me motivated.
The ride is listed as intermediate. I decide that I need to keep pluggin' away at it so I show up. There are 8 of us braving the heat and humidity...100 degree heat index. We start out slow and get warmed up. The pace starts to pick up and a group of three pull away. There is a guy in front of me pulling us along. He starts to fade so I pull up along side of him. What...a girl trying to pass me? No way, he says to himself so he steps on the gas and pulls ahead of me again. I tuck back on to his wheel. He starts to fade again, this time he has no choice...he has to let the girl go 'cause the tank is nearing empty. I pull for a long time. I'm feeling really good. I look at my computer...20mph and holding. The heat isn't killing me. I love riding! Then it hits. The needle on my gas gauge starts dipping into the red zone. I look over my left shoulder and then pull over and watch 'em go by. I grab onto the last wheel and with every fiber of my being I manage to hang on till we crest the hill. After that I'm pretty much off the back with one other rider. With about 3 miles to go I'm getting a bit of a second wind and pick up my speed and catch up to the main group. One of guys turns and looks at me and says, "Wow, you've really improved since the last time I rode with you." I casually say, "Thanks." Inside I'm just busting with joy! We get back to our launch point and a riding buddy of mine who is stronger and has been riding for years comes over to me and says, "You know, riding with you has really made me stronger. I felt really good today and had no problem staying in the front." I tell her, "Thanks." But again, inside I'm feeling pretty good about myself.
So to all of you strong riders out there who find it in themselves to give us other riders a pat on the back every now and then...THANK YOU. As for me, I know it really helps to keep me motivated.