Rollapaluza

Now this is something I want to try. These sorts of races — basically, two bikes on rollers that drive distance calculators — have been around for decades. As reported in this month's issue of Cycling Plus (disclaimer: not identical to hard-copy version), Rollapaluza is catching on again in England. Basically it's a momentary stationary time trial. Really attractive elements: even the incredibly slow are done in less than a minute and lots of beer is involved. Now we just have to bring it over here.

What other people are doing

In some of the world's great cities, municipal efforts (be sure check all the links in that article) and people try to inspire us to pedal. Closer to home, the local daily tells us how foolhardy and dangerous such an approach can be. No doubt there's risk — and risk here — in cycling but if I let that paralyze me before I hit the road I might as well not get out of bed in the morning.

Do as I say. Please.

Just because I'm not commuting, especially during Bike to Work Week, doesn't mean you shouldn't. Now's the perfect time to make plans for next week, as in May 12-16. Here's a good link for what's going on in the Triangle. I will go on the Ride of Silence but that's after work May 21. If you're not in the Triangle, check out Bike to Work Week, a site that James runs from Erie, Pa. How good is his site? It's where I found the information for what's happening here. Of course, if you know what's happening in your area and James doesn't, tell him.

More about Aquaduct

Virtue may be it's own reward but it's gratifying to see that sometimes there can be more to it. As promised, here's some more information about Aquaduct, the pedal-powered system that not only transports but cleans water. Turns out my friend and I — and some of you — aren't the only ones who think it's cool. It won the grand prize of Specialized's "Innovate or Die" contest (be patient; this site takes a few seconds to load).

My race against time

Lowe's Motor Speedway is the coolest closed circuit I've ever ridden a bike on. So what if it's the only one. The Charlotte sojourn for the 10-mile time trial with my buddy Matthew achieved all of my objectives. With a time of 26:01.4 — 23.06 mph — I came in 13th out of 20 in the age 45-49 age group and 163rd out of 291, crappy form and all. After my concerns of the business casual rehearsal, I was relieved that handling the bike was a piece of cake. The big lesson: I can go faster, perhaps fast enough to pull at least into the top half of my age group and overall. I wasn't breathing nearly hard enough when I finished.

The experience was surreal and exhilirating. Richard Petty and I have shared the same track. And maybe the same garage. Want to warm up? Go to garage, pull the door open, set up your trainer. Who's been in that spot before? Dale Earnhardt? Bobby Allison? The sense of place is so strong that it's an inspiration to go fast but it is so intense that it was distracting. Maybe that sensation will pass with time.

Cool feature: high-end bike maker Cervelo brought every model of their bikes in every size. Before my warmup I got to do laps on a very expensive bike that I have coveted for some time (actually two, since I rode the aluminum and carbon models). Even though the fit was off, the performance was everything I'd ever read about. This experience was the equivalent of going to an amateur car race and having Ferrari say, "go for a spin in whichever one of our ridiculous and legendary vehicles you'd like." Indeed there was talk of loaning the bikes for racing.

I stuck with the 2100 because it fits so much better and I know it so well. We started early, with the slow riders, and passed a whole lot more people than passed us. When we crossed the finish line and started checking, one of the volunteers asked me what I thought. I said I thought I wanted to do it again. Next likely opportunity: June 11. Matthew has agreed to serve again as my second. So much for my assertion that I have no interest in racing.