In cycling- you live for those epic rides
You know what I am talking about. If you think back a few years a few key rides stand out in your mind. These are those rides that, really in hindsight, sucked while riding but were "awesome" when complete. That rush you feel after completing them, the epic-ness of the weather, speed, terrain, etc all combine to produce that high level of "kick-ass-ness" needed to weld the details into your permanent rider's log in your head.
Yesterday was one of those days and one of those rides. With most of the free world being provided the wonderful opportunity to have New Year's Eve off of work obligations and the weather calling for an unseasonable warm-up it was as if the perfect storm of riding impetus had come together at the same time. Little did I realize how much that idea of a perfect storm would become a literal occurance.
Upon waking and stumbling to the coffee maker and then the ever present computer while still in my home uniform of underwear and coffee cup- I found that the radar from the weather channel was telling of what looked to be a definite cancel on account of rain. Mind you I am no stranger to the idea of getting wet on a ride, but the idea of sitting for 3 hours sucking down tire spray (I know - this wouldn't happen if I was in front, but alas I was born to suck wheel) on 12/31 just didn't sound appealing.
One by one the responses from the plethora of team members who had previously committed to the idea of riding started rolling in with an unsurprisingly negative tone. "I'm out." "No way." "Uh...my wife said I have to do something....yeah...sorry."
I had all but thrown in the towel when a rider called and said, "so....what do you think?" "I don't know. What do you think?" 10 minutes of this back and forth exchange reminiscent of 2 adolescents in love trying to end their phone conversation ensued. Finally I said, "f-it. Let's go." Epic.
We knew we were getting wet. We knew we'd be cold. We knew it was stupid, but not too many others were going to be out there. It was perfect. Quickly - a few key riders showed and we were on our way. 2 feet out of the parking lot and the chatting and giddiness normally associated with the first real ride in spring had already begun. I was "dropped" instantly. I look down and I am right near threshold. WTF? It's the one-ups of the others as they drill the warmup on cold legs. This has always been my pet peeve - warmup is for warmup, but - meh. I was there to do 3 hours and enjoy it.
As we went the skys got darker and the rain came. The wind from the South was very spring like and un-yielding. After getting drilled in a crosswind for 15 miles or so we turned North and chatted away pleasantly as the tailwind made us all feel like we were momentary kings of the world.
By the time it became apparent that we were all tapped out and ready to call it a day I looked down to discover that we were already out at the furthest point in the ride. Looked like we were doing the whole thing and not cutting it short. Suck. The last 10-15 miles were that silent suffering you usually only find at the end of a century - when everyone's only thought is "how much longer...this has lost it's appeal."
In general - we NEVER would have ridden if it was June. But it wasn't How many times can you put in 3 hours in December....with the poor light, no time off, etc? Riding, spending time with good people doing what we love to do. Every minute of that suffering helped wash away all of the concerns of the rest of life and turned the pedal strokes into a massage of the soul. Something I know I needed.
So - here's to 2011. The team is much larger. Success is seemingly a given at this point. A lot of hard work from a lot of great people will help make 2011 a great year.
...now if someone could just make me eat my vegetables....
