😄 Having fun with the new jersey. 😄 Powered by last night's Los Jarritos. 😋 Just another 34 miles.
Book of David 😁
I have had a few good chats with a dude named David that I met at the GC patio after rides. Very cool mellow pretty soft spoken dude. Knows plenty about cycling etiquette and riding safely. Good chats about dangerous ride habits and experiences. I had mentioned a certain ride and my concerns of safety. I gave the person the benefit of the doubt but David pointed out several times, that one needs to make things clear and if that rider doesn't comply, say goodbye because nothing good can come out of it. He was right and time after time, not showing any concern for instructions, nothing goo came of it so I had to cut ties.
So David and I had never ridden together and he says he prefers solo as most riders he has encountered scare him and lack skill. We chatted on and he seems to know his stuff. Well, on this ride, I saw him go by as I was filling my bottles at the SF nature center, the Cycling Hub. I didn't recognize him right away as a group of kids rode up on bikes and my attention was on them and their ride leader. But after filling my bottles, I headed off and I could see rider far ahead on the little hill heading away from the rest stop. Maybe 150 yards ahead, on a rise so one can see far ahead. I saw him again later heading towards Encanto Park. Seems we were doing about the same speed so I figured I would see this rider at the top as I was not gaining.
About 50 from the top, I saw David heading down with a shoutout. But he turned around and met at back at the top. Had a good chat then as we were getting ready to head down, he asked if he could tag along. I was surprised but he said he wanted to observe my ride habits. Umm ok! He said pretend that he was not there. I pointed out a few obstacles and a little concerned about his safety and distance behind me seeing I had never ridden around him before. But he seemed very well situated and stable, very well placed.
Heading down I was in the big ring pedaling but not too hard. Then we hit the dam and he said that he would take the front on that section, about a mile and a half (?). It got windy so I just enjoyed it. He seemed pretty steady in pace so I got to relax.
Then we hit the trail, the final 9 miles. I was in my small ring, 39 even though we are heading down but if anyone knows this trail, down is ALWAYS WINDY!! 🤬 He mentioned that I looked very comfortable in the small ring. Yup, I like to spin rather than mash. He was enjoying the draft I could see. But later down the road, I started feeling the strain so I asked him to take the front for a bit. Kind of a test too as another rider I was hoping to condition as a ride partner always had an excuse why the front was not an option. Or if so, it was a sprint away instead of a controlled pace where I could recover before taking the front again. Really, it's hard to find a good rider that understands 'WORKING TOGETHER".
So he took the front and kept my pace about 2 minutes then down about one MPH lower. He kept steady but asked me, "how is this pace?". I told him that it was perfect and that as I had tried to explain to the other candidate that even if it is a tad slower than my effort, it allowed me to recover faster and then I could return to the front to pick it up again then we all win!
So I stayed on his wheel for about a mile even after I was rested. Making sure that I had plenty in the gas to finish off the final 3 windy miles. It worked, I felt great. Sometimes a rider will take the front and try to kill me rather than give me a chance to recover which usually ends in a bit of discomfort. David did great and I recovered quickly. I noticed his pace slowed another 1/2 mph but that was fine. At this point as I have mentioned to other riders, if you help me, no way will I drop you ore even TRY to drop you.
I moved back to the front taking over smoothly so he could latch on easily. Seems he had a bit of trouble at this point and I understand that. Sheeesh, sometimes I might be leading at 17 into a stiff headwind when another rider will take over kicking it up to 21. No way is that recovery! By the time I close the gap and even start to catch my breath, they move off claiming to be done. Uhh ok, your helping me was making me sprint for 1/4 mile to catch on then calling it quits? Very frustrating and a big reason why I enjoy riding alone nowadays. That and realizing my ride times and speeds are just as good riding alone ha ha ha!
So David fell back for a second and I didn't realize it at first. But knowing, I looked back to see him about 15 yards back, uh oh! I soft pedaled for a bit so he could catch back on. He did and recovered just fine before I returned to my pace. Then at one point about a mile before the end, he asked me to go into the big ring as he wanted to observe something. OK, I did then about 1/4 mile later, I shifted back down to my 39 ring. I told him that if I stay in the big ring against the wind, I would fatigue sooner. Later we would discuss this. When I went down to the small ring, he dropped back and seemed to struggle to stay on. I wondered why but thought maybe he couldn't find the draft as it gets really windy in this final section.
So we get back to end the ride then sit in the patio for a bit to chat. He told me once again as he did on the ride, that he could see I was very comfortable spinning the small ring. I explained the comparison to squats in weight training. You can squat 500 pounds once but 135 pounds, at least 20 times. The big ring will fatigue the muscles sooner. I explained learning it back in 2002 and how I did drills on a trainer hoping to develop a "spin" technique. It worked. He said he can tell.
Then he asked about when he asked me to big ring it. I told him that I could feel that it would fatigue my legs so I switched back. He said he understood and it was smart of me to go back before I did fatigue. Yup, exactly! But then he asked if I noticed he fell back when I went back to the small ring. I said yeah, I wasn't trying to drop him. He said there was no way he could spin fast enough to keep up in his small ring. I looked at his bike and said I understood. He has a compact crank with a 34/50 and I have a standard 39/53. He was a bit surprised and maybe even felt a little silly from his response and the expression on his face ha ha ha!
He then asked how his form was looking. I told him that I could see he was a very good safe rider and that he read me well. He had an even steady pace behind me. Good safe distance and predictable so I could tell what I could do and not do. I told him that his etiquette was good as I didn't even bother to point out some things as I could tell where he was at all times. Good position so if I wanted to veer left for some reason, I know I could without taking out his wheel. And I knew exactly what to point out, like and old man walking along the ride side of the lane. Of course something out of the ordinary, must be safe. Left to avoid a sand pile knowing where he was the entire time was no issue, he was well placed. Heck, I wish some of the other riders I tried to teach would understand that. It's not about trying to lok fast to one another, it's about using the smarts to recover and benefit from the other rider rather than trying to impress. even if another rider impressed me with speed, if it's not a benefit to the both of us to finish strong and well together, then it's totally useless in my opinion.
Then he said he could tell that I was very smart and knew my stuff. He told me that he was just a recreational rider so he was just riding. I told him that I was and have always considered myself just a recreational rider as well. Then he said," OH NO WAY, YOU'RE WELL BEYOND AND ABOVE A RECREATIONAL RIDER!". Ha ha ha thanks but I told him that I'm just riding for exercise and recreation. But he went on to say he could tell that I was very experienced, knew my stuff as far as etiquette, and a very strong rider. Hmm, wanting to be modest but it's always a good thing to hear what others think.
Then he said that he admired my thoughts on bikes. He said he could see that my bike was just a bike but a classic, it's a 1997. He went on to explain how he has met sooooo many riders with fancy bikes, wheels, equipment but can't ride their bikes. He said I was the classic example if "it's not the bike, it's the engine". Heck, good to hear that too seeing I learned that a long time ago.
I even had fun telling the story of Big Kahunas and the 5 time Race Across America finisher and heavily decorated long distance rider. Big Canoies telling me on the cycling forums that I did nothing but sissy rides, he had bigger hills, stronger winds and finished all bad azz on some organized rides. Then the RAM racer who said I didn't train properly and signed up for Ride Around the Bear (100 miles, 10,000 ft of gain) along with his $10,000 bike back in 2004 (?). Heck, I was riding this same 1997 model, $1,060 Cannondale CAD3.
He posted on cycling forums that IF I GOT LUCKY, I MIGHT KEEP UP WITH HIM and his bike with special climbing wheels, carbon Colnago, his special descending gears. That was way too funny! I started an hour later, a timed event with scan bars. Past him, then stopped up the road before the last final climb to Onyx Summit, 6 or 7 miles at 6 or 7%. I let him pass while watching him go by chatting with Gina, my arm around her giving her a little peck on the cheek as he rolled by. Gave him another head start then passed him once again on the climb where he shouted he would catch me on the final 40 mile down hill. He had special descending gears. A 60 chain ring and an 11 cog in the back. I had my standard 53/39-12/26 gearing. His thoughts were on cycling forums is that a race can be won on the descent and he is a good descender. Uhh ok so am I and if I smoke your ass by an hour on a 62 climb, no way are you going to beat me on the DH. Umm, I'm a good descender as well and I doubt a rider who can't push custom gears up a mountain is going to have the power to pedal harder on the DH. That was funny, sitting at the post ride BBQ with an arm around Gina and another around our other female cycling partner, eating while enjoying the BBQ and glancing over at him like, you loser ha ha ha! Ended up doing another organized ride later that year. He chose to do the easy version without the climbing, with the girls and I did the 7600 ft ride with the men.
Then the Big Kahuma story ha ha ha! Again, a nice expensive carbon bike, custom fit blah blah blah dissing my bike and ride habits. Invited to a century, went with a buddy, SemperFi (on the forums). We started the ride and BK started out of the gate like a bat out of hell. Just kept up for about 5 miles till he faded. Then we approached the 5 mile canyon climb of which he boasted. Uhh ok, training on GMR vs a 5 mile canyon? So SemperFi cruised up to the top and waited about 15 minutes for BK. He couldn't keep up at all on the ride and even had his mother come out after the ride making excuses for him.
OK, so maybe he had a bad day. He invited me back 2 weeks later to prove himself. Just he and I this time, I think he bored the other riders ha ha ha! So we rode together, He did a little better though I towed him for 80 miles. Stopped at the Gina SAG support driving my truck for us. He filled then took off as I was filling my bottles, OK! I ended up about 50 yards behind him along the coast, Point Magoo area. Gina pulled up and asked if I was ok. I told her yeah and watch what I do to him at the turn around point. He was being a bit obnoxious at this point thinking I was tired. Nah, I just letting him play himself for a fool.
We got to the turn around together after letting him hang out in the wind for a bit. Heading back up a couple little hills, he must have thought he was feeling strong. We hit a little hill then he stood up and shouted," C'MON BEANZ, LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT!!!". Freaking fool 😆😁😆
I just remained seated but dropped the hammer on the final 10 mile stretch. Got back about 10 minutes before he did. This time we ended the ride right there rather than at his house so I didn't have to hear his mom come out and make excuses again ha ha ha!
Of course, he still didn't learn. He insisted on trying a 5 hour century with a couple of my strong friends. As soon as the fool showed up, he started dissing my buddies' 'bikes. They didn't have this and that, no pro fit like him, wheels not up to par, blah blah blah! My buddies did not like him from minute ONE.
We started the ride and he flatted at mile 15. An experienced double century rider blah blah blah, he could not patch his tire. He started to panic so I insisted that he let me do it as he stood watching in tears. So finally, we start rolling again after his tears dry up. About 35 miles into the ride, the dude could not keep up with us. Mile 60, he was once again crying saying he was going to call his wife to pick him up. Dude, you drove 2 hours to quit and call your wife to drive another 2 hours to pick you up so you can quit? Nah!!!
I told him to hold my wheel but my friends had enough of him so they rolled ahead. I had to keep it down about 14-15 mph so the dude could struggle but barely hold on. Funny thing was that he had done a ride with some forum members and they were all impressed at how fast he was ha ha ha!
But the guy insisted he was a cycling god so he asked to ride along with SemperFi and I on Cool Breeze. A double metric, 124 miles with 7,000 ft gain. Let me just say, we did a lot of waiting then he called it quits about mile 110. Didn't want to finish the ride so we took a shortcut back to dry up the tears in his eyes once again.
But the clown still didn't learn, he CHALLENGED ME TO RACE UP GMR!!! Are you serious, not sure what he was thinking but because he had claimed on the forums that his hometown climbs were more serious and had called me a sissy, I was up for the challenge. Like Mr. T said, "I accept the challenge because it is no challenge!". 😄😄😄...sorry, I had to insert some laughing emoji faces here!😄
So,, GMR is 21 mile total climb with nearly 5,000 ft gain. First 8 is 2300 ft at 6%. The next 13 a bit gentler but kicks back up at mile 15 for a serious 3 mile effort like the first 8 but rough as one is already tired from the first section. FTR, it's a good climb and SEVERAL FORUM MEMBERS HAVE REJECTED INVITES and yeah, Gina has done the total climb a couple of times and planned 1/2 distance rides about 100 times.
So BK and I started the ride. Right away within the first 1/2 mile, I had left him behind. But he set the challenge so you got it ha ha ha! I got to the top of the climb, 21 mile, waited a few minutes but he was not showing up. I waited a few more then decided to go down, maybe he had bike trouble. Nope!
I got down to the 14 mile point and there he was, totally wiped out! Uh c'mon, you can do it, nope he quit! AGAIN!!!!! He didn't break into tears this time but he insisted on heading back down. OK!
I climbed 21 miles, 5,000 ft, waited, descended about 7 miles all in the time he could only do 14 miles. But the good thing that came out of the experience was that he finally learned his lesson. I would say #1, don't call people sissies on cycling forums. #2, don't underestimate other riders and finally #3, if you can't even do or compete with Gina has done on the bike, don't even freaking think about challenging Mr. Beanz ha ha ha!
So hearing David mention the things about some strong riders riding their bikes no matter what they are, is really cool. Like Lance says, it's not about the bike!
I did tell David that I like to consider myself a recreational rider but he didn't accept that ha ha ha! Nice but I like to be modest.
I do remember another popular well known double century rider who told me after Ride Around the Bear that he was shocked with my performance. I beat him by 2 ours on the timed event. But he has always been cool, not a obnoxious pr!ck like the others so I won't mention his name. He said that everything that I said on the forums lead him to believe I was a big crybaby on the bike. He said he thought he was going to beat me thinking I was a baby and that I clearly understated my abilities on the forums. He was cool, a really good guy and made me laugh.
Of course like I told David, most times I am just riding my bike and most of my time probably riding with Gina. I only come out to fight when some mouthy dope on the forums starts in on me. Sometimes you gotta beat someone down just to teach them a lesson ha ha ha!
So it was very cool to listen to David praise my riding. He was impressed saying I was super smooth and steady and looked very comfortable while riding strong. Heck, I'll take it and hopefully I can remain somewhat strong into my older ages.
Of course, I posted the PR's topic on strava and received a comment from Jimbo, Saying that I should expect to get several more to come. Exact words not sure, too lazy to look back but he should know, he's in his 70's now. And last time we rode together, he was still freaking strong, still doing triathlon stuff as well. Well disciplined strong rider who set some of his PR's in his 60's and still topping mine ha ha ha so he should know! Great thing knowing I have something to look forward to as far as cycling!
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