- Jul 12, 2009
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While enjoying the "How you got into cycling" thread, I was thinking of some of the many fun times I've had on the bike, but didn't want to derail the thread. So this topic on its own would be better.
After about the second year of riding, and gains of a fair amount of speed and endurance, I used to go out on roads favored by cyclist and seek out groups of about 3 or more riders doing fast pacelines. Those days there weren't many racers out there, but there were a few strong recreational riders.
Anyway, I would join in, but with a twist. On these special days I would choose to go out on my $100 Centurion instead of my fine Italian bike, which was a Somec at the time, issued by the local team I was on. I wore plaid shorts, a teeshirt, grey Topsider shoes and Wayfarer sunglasses. This was my official outfit for this kind of day.
So, I jump in a group, and in no time I start to breath heavily and show signs of struggling to keep pace. Chumming the water. It takes no time at all before they would pick up the pace, to try and lose me. One by one guys are dropping off, and then it would be down to a few.
That's when the fun begins. The time when I would go to the front and pick it up, but not all out. Not just yet anyway. But there would be a time when I would go and kill em.
While there's been a billion good times on the bike, this is one that stands out. I had a blast doing this. Targeting the noisy alpha types in particular. No harm, as I was totally respectful. It was all about being young and letting your legs go, and being crosseyed with fatigue later that evening.
After about the second year of riding, and gains of a fair amount of speed and endurance, I used to go out on roads favored by cyclist and seek out groups of about 3 or more riders doing fast pacelines. Those days there weren't many racers out there, but there were a few strong recreational riders.
Anyway, I would join in, but with a twist. On these special days I would choose to go out on my $100 Centurion instead of my fine Italian bike, which was a Somec at the time, issued by the local team I was on. I wore plaid shorts, a teeshirt, grey Topsider shoes and Wayfarer sunglasses. This was my official outfit for this kind of day.
So, I jump in a group, and in no time I start to breath heavily and show signs of struggling to keep pace. Chumming the water. It takes no time at all before they would pick up the pace, to try and lose me. One by one guys are dropping off, and then it would be down to a few.
That's when the fun begins. The time when I would go to the front and pick it up, but not all out. Not just yet anyway. But there would be a time when I would go and kill em.
While there's been a billion good times on the bike, this is one that stands out. I had a blast doing this. Targeting the noisy alpha types in particular. No harm, as I was totally respectful. It was all about being young and letting your legs go, and being crosseyed with fatigue later that evening.
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