Your own cycling stories

[Arnout]

I know there is a race thread for the members, but as far as I know not a general thread to share and discuss personal cycling stories. So here we go.

First hot day in a 1.5 months today in the Netherlands, 25 degrees without a cloud (yes I know it's not really hot but for us it is). Decided to go on a ride, was feeling well all day, I usually thrive in the heat.

Near the end though, I was out of food and drinks and the last 10km were hell. I had both a hunger knock and was exhausted (well, they usually come together), was barely able to stay upright in the last climb and after coming back home I've sat in a chair, eyes closed, without being able to do anything at all. Never been this tired after a ride. Note to self: consider bringing more food and drinks when on a long ride (for me, anyway) in good weather.

Still, covered nearly 100km so not too bad

 

[Unkown]

I know there is a race thread for the members, but as far as I know not a general thread to share and discuss personal cycling stories. So here we go.

First hot day in a 1.5 months today in the Netherlands, 25 degrees without a cloud (yes I know it's not really hot but for us it is). Decided to go on a ride, was feeling well all day, I usually thrive in the heat.

Near the end though, I was out of food and drinks and the last 10km were hell. I had both a hunger knock and was exhausted (well, they usually come together), was barely able to stay upright in the last climb and after coming back home I've sat in a chair, eyes closed, without being able to do anything at all. Never been this tired after a ride. Note to self: consider bringing more food and drinks when on a long ride (for me, anyway) in good weather.

Still, covered nearly 100km so not too bad

I basically had the same experience as you a few weeks ago except it was 40 degrees with the humidex. Lets just say I am not going out for a ride in weather like that for a long time.

 

[Thorn Cycling]

ooh cycling stories, might as well break my far-too-long streak of reading without posting One of my better cycling stories (well, not as good as the time I broke a tree in half with my head ) was about a year or two back, on a preride of a local road race. It's a cautionary tail of the importance of bike maintenance. I was sitting on my bro's wheel, going at a fairly slow speed, when all of a sudden he swerved. Normally this would not have been a big deal, but my brain had chosen not to pay attention and, after touching wheels, I went over the bars. When my eyes open up, I'm lying in the grass on the side of the road, everything around me was glistening bright red, and there was a huge hole (that goes to the bone) in my elbow. I learned a very simple lesson on that day: If you lose the little cap at the end of a bar, don't crash till you replace it.

 

[180mmCrank]

First win!

It was absolutely chucking down...I mean really chucking it down - Amazon rainforest chucking it down - rivers on the streets! The course we were racing on was a loop with a 2 km two tier hill - (it's actually not that steep and it has a flat bit in the middle which means you can catch your breath) - but the last km kicks up and tops out on to a 350m false flat into the finish.


First time up the hill - all hell broke loose - people were trying to get to the front just prior to the start of the climb so as not to get dropped - some people were still in their 'big ring' - the climb began with chains and cogs popping - people shouting - stopping - chaos all round. Half the field got dropped on the first tier of the climb - it was so (too) fast - I thought my head was going to go pop - **** I can't do this six more times - I am sure it wasn't just me thinking that. Then it flattened out I got my breath and it wasn't that bad - big dig on the second tier - legs on fire but made it to the top - six more to go!


Next time around a pattern started to develop among the 20 riders that were strong enough to climb the hill - we would string out on the first tier - come together a bit and then string out over the last kilo of the climb to the finish - then everyone would sit up and have a drink - the group would re-form and off we'd go as 10-15 riders - the last few would generally catch up over the next kilo - or at the bottom of the descent. As the laps ticked off four or five guys would be consistently first to the top of the hill. I was doing enough to be in with this group.


We got to the second to last lap...same pattern up the hill...5 guys me and a string of another 6 or 7. As on the other occasions they all sat up for a drink - so I thought 'I'm not going to win this on the climb but maybe I can increase the odds of a place if we dump some guys' - So I stomped on it for 500m - I just wanted to get the group away from the climbing stragglers. When I sat up and looked back there was about 10-12 riders the cream of the bunch - the guys that could ride. We settled in to get ready for the last big effort up the climb for the final time.
We hit the climb - I was fourth man on it - the front guy took off - the winner for sure - if he didn't blow. I thought that the guys that went too early might get caught by people with the bottle to pace the climb - but then I thought sod it - and pushed it to stay just about in contact with the three ahead. They picked up speed - the elastic began to stretch...can I keep contact?...then the road flattened out I dug in to try to get onto a wheel - didn't get on - dug in again and made contact just where the flat ended and the rise kicked up again. I took a glance behind and I could see - as I expected - 5 guys who were pacing the climb - closing in on us pretty quickly - they caught us and now we were 7 or 8 not sure - and now half way up the last part of the climb before the false flat to the finish about 350m.


I was bracing my self for 2 or 3 guys to make a break for it. As soon as they made their move I would know if it was even worth trying to go with them. All too often I've seen little guys skip off up a rise like this and been helpless to do anything. But no one made a move ... surely someone is going to have go ... Over the rise 350m to go... So at 300m I thought sod it and slammed my foot down as hard as I could... Once, twice, three times... 200m to go legs on fire...waiting for 2 or 3 guys to come by... 150m kicked again...tunnel vision - pounding head.... And then I let myself think the unthinkable... This might be the only chance I ever get to win a bike race...actually cross the line first...so... Don't look back...I'm not sure where it came from because I couldn't breath at this point - I threw everything at the bike - 100m - surely someone is going to come by...don't look back... 50m I could taste the line...30m..20m...then I'm actually looking at the line on the road in front of me - don't look back - everything is in slow motion - I lunge at the line - I am absolutely stuffed - I can barely control the bike. I think I've crossed the line first - I look back and the rest of the field is 30m behind. I won by a mile!


Fan-bl00dy-tastic! I feel like Mark Cavendish/Peter Sagan - for about 10 mins anyway!

 

[RedheadDane]

First of all: I stick to shorter rides of about 20K. Not in the best physical shape and I'm rocking a bike which... isn't exactly a racer!

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I decided to go for a I'll just see where I end up ride, this might seem like a pretty normal thing for some people but I don't exactly have the best sense of direction!
At first it went fine; I kept my eye out for road signs, then I decided to take a trip around this big lake we have, this is also a very popular place for riding. I was doing fine, bit issues with the headwind, but... cool.
Then... I went down the wrong road and managed to get a little lost. Might have also crossed somewhere which wasn't exactly open to silly direction-challenged girls on bikes!
I ended up riding 35Ks...

 

[rickshaw]

Livestock: for what its worth

First of all: I stick to shorter rides of about 20K. Not in the best physical shape and I'm rocking a bike which... isn't :
I ended up riding 35Ks...

That must be all the way from Aarhus to Randers!

A few years ago, in the morning, I realize that I am tarveling faster than the Amish buggy ahead, and I will soon overtake it. I slow a bt ti think. The correct thing is to pull out and pass on the left (USA rules) But its going up hill some and I'd be stuck in the middle of the road, cresting that hill, next to a horse of unknown ability for maybe 5 seconds or more. Too much possible danger. Don't want to pass on the left, could spook the horse. I decode the safest thing to do is totally cross the road to the other side's sholder, get well past the buggy, then move bask to my side of the road. As I was about to execute my plan, pulling out, the buggy turned into a side road. The story was: no story.

A few weeks later on another smaller country road, I saw a team of horses pulling a huge wooden machine with iron wheels toward me on the opposite side. What to. I slowed so as to coast past without any threatening movement.. When they got close enough to really see me the team of horses got really spooked, rearing and pulling away. The Amish kid (14 to 16 yrs?) had to stand up wrestling with the reigns trying to keep the em on the road. I got past and when I looked back they had settled down.

Another team of field horses, pulling something passed me later that same summer. That time I decided I would stop, get off the bike and stand there till it had passed. One look at me and the horses pulled the wagon off the road, through a ditch and into a field. The poor kid was helpless to control them.

(I know what you're thinking and I'm not THAT bad looking)

FYI: Buggy horses get used to "traffic" like bikes and have been OK to pass or overtake. Field horses do not have those experiences and are likely to freak out and be dangerous.

 

[RedheadDane]

That must be all the way from Aarhus to Randers!

For quite a bit of the route down by the lake there are signs towards Silkeborg, I sorta decided that if I suddenly ended up there I'd just call my parents and ask them to come fetch me!

Don't worry... my sense of direction is not that bad!

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Picture: late Spring mountain ride, snowing, so wearing ski gloves. At potty break, dropped one ski glove down potty hole. Fished it out, rinsed it off, finished ride. Nobody knew, but got funny looks rinsing it off with bottled water from the break station.

 

[RedheadDane]

This is from yesterday's Tour of Denmark stage

The first thing happenedduring the stage, which... sorta wasn't too smart... Basically I thought the last rider had passed, went to get my bike only for a small group to go by. When they were away I thought "Okay, now they're done." so I got on my bike and just followed the route down, earning some "you're not in the race." comments. When I got down to the roundabout by the castle (for anyone familiar with the area) I suddenly heard "More riders coming!" so I stopped my bike and watched them get by. At this point the relay people were starting to get sort of impatient...

Immediatly afterwards I continued on my way home, I went down to the road towards the stadion and had the rather cool experience of riding side-by-side with the Colnago team, who must have been using the opportunity for a little training-ride and was behind their bus, rather than inside it. (I tried to keep up... couldn't...)

 

[ebandit]

epic

recently I did an Epic 250+ Mile Ride to Edinburgh and Back ( I Live way in England )

In Edinburgh at the Pub the Guy I was Chatting to asked Where I was Staying for the Night .......I was Proud to Say I was Cycling Home.......He Insisted on Seeing My Bike
but it's Nowt Special Old School Raleigh Tourer with 32mm Continental Top Touring Tyres

afterwards a Friend asked Me what Sports Drinks/Bars I Consumed.........I confessed I fuelled on Fish and Chips on Journey there and for Journey Home Ate a KFC Fully Loaded Meal / Pint of Ale..............along the Way I Ate a Fruit Cake

I had No Front Light and Rode Home in the Dark Luckily along quiet Country Roads with a Full Moon

I Rode Alone Setting Off at 9.30am and Arrived Home at 3am Next Morning

a mini adventure..........My Hero Beryl Burton would have Approved

 

[PCutter]

I sometimes join a group which contains a number of Olympic and AIS athletes (rowers and kayakers mainly...big lungs, every ride is a smash fest) as a result of this elite sportsman connection the group is occasionally joined by some other elite cyclists and other sportsmen from the Gold Coast. I've ridden along side Robbie McEwen (whose exploits brought me to racing cycling so thats always a thrill), Nick Gates (former Lotto rider, now Saxo DS), Michael Albasini (riding with Robbie in prep for this season), Olympic and World Champion triathletes, all of which has been fantastic, and made it very clear the difference between elite cyclists and me (being dropped by a 'non-climber' like Robbie makes a mockery of any claims of me being a climber amongst my mates).

But as much as that is great, my favourite cycling story(s) are of the two times Troy Bayliss (3 x World Super Bike Champion) has been out on the rides. The skills and guts for riding fast is obviously transferrable from motorbikes to bicycles because he rides down the mountains much faster than anyone (including the pro's) I've ever seen. It is truly amazing to see how fast he rides down the mountains. He doesn't even consider touching the brakes. As someone who loves the feeling of flying down hill, its a beautiful thing to watch.

 

[darkcloud]

recently I did an Epic 250+ Mile Ride to Edinburgh and Back ( I Live way in England )

In Edinburgh at the Pub the Guy I was Chatting to asked Where I was Staying for the Night .......I was Proud to Say I was Cycling Home.......He Insisted on Seeing My Bike
but it's Nowt Special Old School Raleigh Tourer with 32mm Continental Top Touring Tyres

afterwards a Friend asked Me what Sports Drinks/Bars I Consumed.........I confessed I fuelled on Fish and Chips on Journey there and for Journey Home Ate a KFC Fully Loaded Meal / Pint of Ale..............along the Way I Ate a Fruit Cake

I had No Front Light and Rode Home in the Dark Luckily along quiet Country Roads with a Full Moon

I Rode Alone Setting Off at 9.30am and Arrived Home at 3am Next Morning

a mini adventure..........My Hero Beryl Burton would have Approved

Very cool.

 

[reginagold]

Rode up the Stelvio on Bastille Day one summer. We noticed the ski lifts were running, so we looked about a bit for some skis to rent, put on our descending jackets and gloves and did some serious summer skiing. Later we descended down to Switzerland and back over to Italy.

 

[Eric8-A]

The best thing that has happened to me so far happened last week.

I was riding down Hollywood Blvd and a limo happened to ride by me. I noticed their rear window was down and saw that it was a group of kids riding in it celebrating someone's quinceñera. Riding alongside them, those that saw me said hi and given how hot it was that day, I asked them if there was any water in there (I've come out in three quinceñeras, and I know there's always drinks inside for the people's convenience), they said yes and handed me a bottle.

Made me feel like I had my own service vehicle for a slight moment.

 

[RedheadDane]

And a damn cool one as well!

 

[CobbleStoner]

First hot day in a 1.5 months today in the Netherlands, 25 degrees without a cloud (yes I know it's not really hot but for us it is). Decided to go on a ride, was feeling well all day, I usually thrive in the heat.

Near the end though, I was out of food and drinks and the last 10km were hell. I had both a hunger knock and was exhausted (well, they usually come together), was barely able to stay upright in the last climb and after coming back home I've sat in a chair, eyes closed, without being able to do anything at all. Never been this tired after a ride. Note to self: consider bringing more food and drinks when on a long ride (for me, anyway) in good weather.

Still, covered nearly 100km so not too bad

back when I used to race seriously, one year state championships had a course that was all climbing or descending, no flat over the entire 150k, 15 times up a 5k climb, then back down. I was in the front and got dropped from a group of 10 with six laps to go, struggled to finish and got 13th. on the last 3 laps I was hallucinating that trees were people and the short tunnel every lap started breathing and pulsating. after I finished, and for about 36 hours, I was in a complete dream state, nothing seemed real. still to this day that experience was weirder than any drug or alcohol, it was hot and smoggy that day too

 

[The Gnome]

I woke up one morning very very thirsty and went out to kitchen to get some cold water...I grabbed the jug and began swigging and gulping...I realized I wasn't in fact drinking water but D76 Kodak developer I also kept in the fridge for my darkroom...I took out a package of D76 and sure enough, it had a little black skull and crossbones on the back...nice!

I figured if the stuff was going to kill me it was prolly too late and I had a bunch in me so decided to go out for a ride...it was autumn here in Vermont and the trees were all turning golden yellow and fire orange...the effects of the D76 on my nervous system and brain made it a visually stunning ride to say the least...far better than any LSD I had ever taken...

 

[Polyarmour]

Twenty years ago I'm touring through Belgium on my Raleigh hybrid complete with panniers and backback. I enter a small town (forget which one) and there are hundreds of people lining the main street.. some cheering me.. but most of them laughing at me. I can't work out what is going on. I'm the centre of attention, I smile and wave back. Somebody directs me to a sidestreet, I'm a bit confused, I can't understand what they're saying to me. A few minutes later the peloton booms into town and I finally realise what has happened.

 

[winkybiker]

ooh cycling stories, might as well break my far-too-long streak of reading without posting One of my better cycling stories (well, not as good as the time I broke a tree in half with my head ) was about a year or two back, on a preride of a local road race. It's a cautionary tail of the importance of bike maintenance. I was sitting on my bro's wheel, going at a fairly slow speed, when all of a sudden he swerved. Normally this would not have been a big deal, but my brain had chosen not to pay attention and, after touching wheels, I went over the bars. When my eyes open up, I'm lying in the grass on the side of the road, everything around me was glistening bright red, and there was a huge hole (that goes to the bone) in my elbow. I learned a very simple lesson on that day: If you lose the little cap at the end of a bar, don't crash till you replace it.

Similar story. A few years' back, I was riding in traffic, and in a moment's distraction/inattention, ran into a stopped car. I crashed heavily. The end of the bar impacted my ribs hard. Fortunately, I did have the cap in place, but to this day I can just about make out "Cinelli" in mirror writing on the scar.

A few days later, pulling on the bars climbing a hill (almost exactly where the crash occurred) I pulled the right-hand half of the handlebar clean off the bike. Presumably cracked it in the crash a few days prior. Lesson: When you crash, especially it you hit stuff hard, check it before riding again.