Dear So and So

[Crankin]

A shirtless rider wouldn't have been allowed to ride with either of the 2 groups I ride with. That's just gross and dangerous, too (road rash, anyone?).

That guy sounds like every stereotype of a roadie that could be imagined. What an azzhole.

[malkin]

Ew! L-bell, you can find a better group ride.

[Catrin]

Uuugh, what a ba$*@*d L-Bell, you can find a ride with a better leader than that... I would find that quite stressful myself and wouldn't be able to relax so I am glad you were able to enjoy part of the ride. His behavior was totally uncalled for. I've run across a couple of roadies like him, but only a couple.

Congratulations on your group ride and on getting out there with your lovely new bike!

[OakLeaf]

Ugh L-Bell. What an a-hole.

Not only would I find another group ride, if this one is sponsored by a larger club, I'd report the leader. It's true there are a few clubs that are that way through and through, but most club leadership wouldn't find that kind of behavior acceptable.

Glad you were able to find some enjoyment in the ride anyway, and hope you find a better group to ride with soon.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear kooky companies that make massage chairs and equipment,

Secretly, I thank you for existing, especially after that lady in the massage place nearly punctured my skull and backbone with her fingers and elbows while trying to work out my muscle knots. Not only has your back massager cushion thingy has worked out all the knots in my back from my bike, it does not cost me 30 bucks a pop and I can have it rub out the knots as many times as I need to in a day so my back can relax. Also, you have been the reason for my insanely rapid recovery in these few weeks of training. If they don't sell your products overseas, I'm definitely buying a massage chair to bring with me when I migrate.

Dear student,

I am SO proud of the progress you've made in the last couple of weeks. Baby steps, but these are the steps you will take to fulfilling the amazing potential we all see in you.

[L-Bell]

Thanks so much for all of the encouraging words. Luckily, that was my last "mandatory" training ride for this upcoming 100-mile charity ride. (Being new, I had to complete 2). I'm doing the ride with a small team of GREAT people, so now I can relax and just ride with them on my own time to prepare. When I told my own team leader about it, she was horrified and said she had a similar experience on her 1st training ride with this group, and she was going to email the organizer ASAP to share my story.

Geesh. You really don't expect to be a victim of what I can only call bullying as an adult woman!

"Drivetrain-side" has been cracking me up, lph, as have many of the other dear so-and-so stories. This is the 1st time I've ever participated in an online forum - I'm more of a post-reader than a post-er (which I've been jokingly told makes me a "stalker"?) - but what a great place to get started. Looking FW to reading all the info I can and probably asking a few questions soon too.

[lph]

Dear woman trying to sell a used sleeping bag,

I know it's a high-falutin' expensive down bag, and I know that it costs twice as much new as you're asking for it now. But you haven't been able to sell it for 2500 for 6 weeks, and couldn't even answer my two simple questions about it. So when I say politely that my budget is only up to 2000 and ask if you're willing to sell it for that, you COULD just say "sorry, no".

Instead of a snotty "Everybody tries to haggle. And I think it's worth 2500." Well, I think your karma just bit you on the butt, because I'm sure not buying from you.

PS. I got such a kick out of finding out that you're a Feng Shui consultant. Hmm, now what was all that about "positive energy flow"?