Quads of Oatmeal
Yeah, Tuesday night came around again a few nights back, just like it does every week. That means it's time to punch my ticket and ride the Pain Train. Several weeks ago, controversy erupted when a couple of articles appeared in the local newspaper in which motorists took the position that bicycles should A) Not be on the road or B) if they insist on riding on the road, they should at least be able to do the speed limit.
Naturally, these articles set off a firestorm of email in the cycling community, the bottom line of which was that the Tuesday night rides were causing the problem and so the following would be enacted to try and fix things...First, the "A" group would leave from a different location, closer to the outskirts of town. Secondly, a weekly criterium was put together on some private property waaay outside of town. The general idea, misguided as it was, was that this would spread out the concentration of riders and ease traffic problems.
Since it was the "A" group that was causing all the trouble anyway, the "B" group (the group I prefer to ride with, it's safer, a bit easier going (though not much), and has friendlier folks to ride with) said "umm, we're staying right where we are. Which is just fine with me, though it really makes no difference to me where they start. But staying where we were was good.
The downside of this is that some of the "A" riders didn't want to start at the new start, so they decided to ride with the "B" group. This may not sound like much, but it really makes a difference. These guys complain that the pace is too slow, or they run red lights and generally misbehave because A) they're young and invincible and/or B) they really don't care how what they do reflects on other riders. The other half of this downside is that it makes it extraordinarily tough to keep the ride steady and smooth, which is a key to having a good fast ride that is a true workout.
This Tuesday, having completed the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge on Saturday, I decided that I was going to take it easy. Rolling off the front with several of the "A" riders, I thought that the group was right behind us, but after 2-3 minutes, I looked back and we were on our own, a group of 6 running 27-28 mph through the neighborhoods of Irondale. I decided that I'd turn off and cut the ride a bit short, and just ride at my own pace. Frankly, I was worn out and couldn't have kept up with them for long if I'd wanted to. I eventually made it home, but not before my legs protested mightily climbing up Smyer and Shades Crest.
So I rode to work and back yesterday, but not on Wednesday. Now I'm just exhausted. I've been up late every night this week, mostly for Legolas' baseball.
I'd like to get in another 75 miles this week, but I don't know if I've got the time or the energy...I guess we'll see how it goes.
Naturally, these articles set off a firestorm of email in the cycling community, the bottom line of which was that the Tuesday night rides were causing the problem and so the following would be enacted to try and fix things...First, the "A" group would leave from a different location, closer to the outskirts of town. Secondly, a weekly criterium was put together on some private property waaay outside of town. The general idea, misguided as it was, was that this would spread out the concentration of riders and ease traffic problems.
Since it was the "A" group that was causing all the trouble anyway, the "B" group (the group I prefer to ride with, it's safer, a bit easier going (though not much), and has friendlier folks to ride with) said "umm, we're staying right where we are. Which is just fine with me, though it really makes no difference to me where they start. But staying where we were was good.
The downside of this is that some of the "A" riders didn't want to start at the new start, so they decided to ride with the "B" group. This may not sound like much, but it really makes a difference. These guys complain that the pace is too slow, or they run red lights and generally misbehave because A) they're young and invincible and/or B) they really don't care how what they do reflects on other riders. The other half of this downside is that it makes it extraordinarily tough to keep the ride steady and smooth, which is a key to having a good fast ride that is a true workout.
This Tuesday, having completed the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge on Saturday, I decided that I was going to take it easy. Rolling off the front with several of the "A" riders, I thought that the group was right behind us, but after 2-3 minutes, I looked back and we were on our own, a group of 6 running 27-28 mph through the neighborhoods of Irondale. I decided that I'd turn off and cut the ride a bit short, and just ride at my own pace. Frankly, I was worn out and couldn't have kept up with them for long if I'd wanted to. I eventually made it home, but not before my legs protested mightily climbing up Smyer and Shades Crest.
So I rode to work and back yesterday, but not on Wednesday. Now I'm just exhausted. I've been up late every night this week, mostly for Legolas' baseball.
I'd like to get in another 75 miles this week, but I don't know if I've got the time or the energy...I guess we'll see how it goes.