The A ride

Dropped like a hot sack of cat shit. Smoked like a spliff of Rastaman ganja.

Most bike stores, including the The Spin Cycle, offer a variety of group rides, with skill levels ranging from the slowest at C to the fastest at A. My plan was to go on Tuesday's B ride, but the significant threat of rain — it was dripping on my ride home — kept me in. I figured what the hell, I'll try the Wednesday A ride. And after nine bikeless days and the last two with only my commute, I was itching for some miles.

Of the 12 or 15 riders who showed, I was one of two with a metal frame; among the minority with unshaved legs and not wearing a team kit; and the only one with a visored helmet and unmatched tires. I knew I didn't fit; the reception I got made it clear they knew it too.

My plan, even before I arrived, was that I would hope to draft someone as far as it would get me and when I got dropped make my own route instead of working to find the group. The plan worked for about 10 miles. Me and another guy got left behind on a long descent. It was like watching the Millenium Falcon engage the hyperdrive. The other guy did everything he could to outrun me and not acknowledge me. I'd give him room and then I'd reel him back in. That happened a few times. Anyway, we rode in proximity to each other for about five more miles before I let him go. He was thoughtful enough to indicate he was turning south.

I turned north and took a quick route back to The Spin Cycle. Austin, the one guy who did talk to me, was still packing his bike when I got there. He asked how my ride was and I told him OK — after all, I did get nearly 40 miles in and went really fast for parts of it. I also said that I knew I got dropped because I was too polite. Instead of holding back while the bikes in front of me coasted part way down the aforementioned hill, I should have gone into the middle of them and maintained my draft. I might have gotten dropped later but it would have gotten me through that point. Austin agreed.

The plan for Tuesdays and Thursdays for the forseeable future is to kick ass on the B ride until I'm sure I need more of a challenge. Then we'll see what happens.