It started out a bit on the "bwisk" side this morning (nod to Mike Tyson), but right now... 73 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, gentle breeze.
I'm still feeling the euphoria - just got back from a NICE little jaunt out Hill Road, and back via Gary / Glenwood / Adams / south Greenbelt (one of my favorite weekday loops). My face hurts from smiling so much! There was a row of trees out on Hill Road (just past Collister) with pale pink blossoms that smelt SO FINE! (That must be what it smells like in Heaven!)
As usual, I was patting myself on the back. (My shoulder sometimes gets to hurtin', I spend so much time pattin' myself on the back! One of my many weaknesses.) On this particular day, it was because there are SO MANY obviously-fair-weather cyclists. They were all out there today - where are they on the 9-degree days? Or the 109-degree days? (Of course, they are thinking they are so much cooler than I am, because they are wearing stretchy lycra "team" shirts, compared with my 100% cotton T-shirt, and they have the SUPER-deluxe gruppo, and I only have the deluxe gruppo. Cyclists can be very image-conscious.)
And then the thought occurred to me... SURE, I'm dedicated! I ride (just like Danielo) on even the worst days. But there are PRECIOUS FEW so dedicated cyclists. Compare our weak effort, with the LEGIONS of dedicated motorists! They drive their cars, not only on the bad days, but on the AWESOMELY POST-CARD PERFECT days, like today!
Don't believe me? Here are the traffic cams from 10 minutes ago. Nothin' like a blissful drive in the country!
DRIVE ON!
(P.S. - Don't tell anybody about that SOUTH GREENBELT. I usually get on at 48th or so, and ride all the way to the Doubletree Riverside. Traffic is usually light over there, the pavement is pretty smooth, and it's a NICE ride.)
5 comments:
I'm smiling for you!
I don't know if it's just my cynical, hermit-minded attitude, but I find cycling to be a very solitary endeavor. I mean to blog about that soon, and in more detail, but am I crazy? I see the warm-weather zombies, and they seem to be in groups. I very rarely ride WITH anyone, because when I ride, I want to go at my pace, and think my thoughts. The zombies are more socializing than they are riding.
Danielo, like you, 99% of my riding is solo, for the exact reasons you mention. Occasionally I'll go riding with a buddy or two; I don't think I've EVER ridden with more than 2 other people.
There is something to be said for larger-group riding, however - it can be a strong motivator for some folks, who might otherwise not ride at all. Some groups mostly seem to be socializing, as you have observed. (I'd compare it to AA or Weight Watchers, where people gather to support one another in a positive endeavor.) Others are more competitive in nature... the mortal fear is getting "dropped" by the group, and ending up riding alone. Plus, they take turns up front. I haven't done much of it, but you can slipstream, or "wheel" a guy by riding inches behind him, and there's a lot less effort. (You see it done expertly in team bicycle racing. Obviously there's a LOT of trust in the guy you're tailing so closely, and it's a heady sensation when it's clickin'.) But like you, I prefer the solo experience mostly.
(I've gotta poke fun at the snooty attitude of some of those lycra Armstrong wanna-bes, however.)
Oh - I DID go riding with a larger group - once! In a recent rant ("With friends like these," about Critial Mass) I mentioned Boise's one-time (far as I know) Critical Mass ride to Kuna! It was probably 11 years ago. How could I have forgotten?!!
(-;
I love that you think of the Lycra-schmucks as highly as I do! But I'll say this for them -- they not arond long enough to be much of a hassle.
Bikeboy said:
(P.S. - Don't tell anybody about that SOUTH GREENBELT. I usually get on at 48th or so, and ride all the way to the Doubletree Riverside. Traffic is usually light over there, the pavement is pretty smooth, and it's a NICE ride.)
I showed this to a coworker in the office who should be riding more. That is almost his exact ride. He has the best commute in America. 2 blocks to the greenbelt, 4 miles, 2 blocks to the office. And all I ask him is Why do you drive? Why do you waste time in traffic? Why do you fill up with gas each week?
Oops sorry for the plagerism, but Why or How is a running joke in the office.
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