My friend rides faster and Dh got the frame I wanted ... Boo hoo for me!!!

[Miranda]

another +1 on (((Jiffer)))...

Well, this story could be mine. Only I'm the lighter, faster climbing riding partner.

Plus, I also had this same thing happen on a club irde with an aquaint I was trying to become better friends with.

In both cases for me... there was definate undertone, vibe, whatever you want to call it of... "unspoken displeasure" re: the difference in our performance. *huge sigh*...which added some "taint" to the relationship.

I hate that. Because I personally consider myself to be humble as a person, and a cyclist--w/much to learn & improve on. And I would never want someone else to feel like I was trying to "show-boat-it" to cause hurt or hard feelings.

I love my riding buddy to death. She has helped me SO much in learning how to ride with others in groups. This club lady I would love to be better riding friends with too. So, there's gotta be some resolve.

Last ride with my buddy, I try to tell her why I do some of the things I do. Like my club ride, when she was not the person involved (other lady), and tell her why I did what I did. Basically--to survive!

I climbed quickly because otherwise I thought I would die w/my body weight ratio trying to go slower. I just can't sustain it for a longer pace. Up quick and get it the he$$ over with is my new climb stategy (not, drop my buddy for spite).

I pedal downhill not to show boat it... it's because heavy riders pass me and I will get miserably lost if I don't do 'something' to make up the diff.

I suck wheel for dear life of the big fastie guys bringing it home because when you are light, the wind is definately felt more. Been times w/my heavier ride buddy I literally thought I was getting blown over in a cross-wind... while her rock solid 1.5Xs time bigger calves than mine powered on like "big whoop". Hanging back alone w/o a draft... I die quick.

I don't know for sure about your ride pal. But, that's my insight = survival, fwiw.

On the weight... have you ever been that 10-15#s lighter as a cyclists? If not, once you get to that point, never let the memory of the difference leave you.

I personally have cycled with an upward flex of 10#s or so from what I am now. The best way I can say it is: the freakin hills HURT!!!

Ice cream is my weakness... I love Dairy Queen Blizzards, Reese Peanut Butter cup, to be exact. How cycling sick is it that on occasion I have to break out in a chant "hills hurt, no DQ, don't do it!" whilst driving past a DQ store?

On the aspect of "losing weight while maintaining and/or increasing cycling performance", I know what you mean. I posted about that recently myself.

OK, ultimately *yes* you are correct. The best time to lose weight as a cyclists is in the off season. However, there are some things you can still do to shave down and continue. I've shaved off a few I wanted to. Not all, but every bit helps on the climbs. I'll dig and add some links if you find any of interest.

Just don't give up & chin up, GF.
Miranda

EDIT ADD:

This book I bought recently after reading about it in a Bici mag article on hydration. Not very far in it, but great so far. Sports Nutrition For The Endurance Athlete...
http://www.moniqueryan.com/books/books.html

Here is my thread on losing weight + performance on TE. Good discussion and some links in thread...
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=32242

Also, I met a RD who specialized in sports nutrition who said she could help me with some calculations etc.