The weather today was perfect for a fast century ride. Sunny, mid 70ties with a cool breeze all day. Jim, Sol, Jeff, Joe Dowd & Tom got everyone organized and working together. We hit some heavenly smooth roads, and the thought popped into my head "we're biking in heaven".
Pedaling along at a fast clip, working together for mile after speedy mile, Jim called out that we were hitting 19.9 MPH. Bless his constant inspirational talks. With all the bikers hunched over their handlebars, concentration etched on everyone's face, Jeff admired the newly adjusted height of Sol's handlebars, when suddenly, Sol's voice rung out: "Hey, Chaz. How do I look on my bike? Does my ass look good?". I gagged on my water laughing so hard that I almost drove into the ditch.
Joe Dowd spend the either ride either pulling an echelon setting a lovely, fast pace, or, rushing half a mile ahead of the first riders and doing serpentines, playing like a kid on his bike, or driving along my side, singing. Now, Coach Jim mentioned that if he heard chatting, we were going too slow. The rest of the group was busy breathing in and out, getting oxygen into our cramping extremities, never mind having the energy to chat. We were peddling at 19MPH and here was Joe, singing.....
Yes, Jim, we need a bit more discipline staying tight in the echelons both up and down the hills for the duration of the entire century ride, but each time we ride, hopefully we get a bit better....
All in all, I'd say we did pretty darn good pulling off a century ride in 5:18 hrs. Thank you for pushing me to do this. The ride today was fantastic!
The Dane
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