Commute 6/19

Greetings readers!

Whoa, am I tired. My legs hurt in all sorts of places. I must be using new muscles that I haven’t before while riding the SS. That’s gotta be it. Sheesh, I’m sore! Legs feel like cast iron anvils strapped to pedals.

So I’m sitting at the usual stoplight waiting for the signal, and guess who pops up behing me? Yup, its Speedy. Now, I like Speedy but it’s like lining up with Tonkin and trying to hang. “Hi Speedy” I offer up in a kind, unchallenging tone. “Hi amigo, you want me to kick your ass today?” Speedy says. “Ah schucks Speedy, I’d love a real good ass whuppin” I reply. “Uhh, Speedy, Look I got me a Single Speed” I say in sort of a please be nice to me cuz I can’t keep up with you with a geared bike kinda way. “Ahh, good for you! SS will teach you to spin amigo” Uh, yea, I’m gathering that Speedy. The light changes, “C’mon amigo I’ll give you a pull” Speedy says as he clips in and is off. Crap Speedy, my legs are killin’ me, I don’t want to chase you today. I’m whining in my own mind while watching Speedy clear the intersection out of the saddle. Damn you Speedy! Speedy is 6′3 and a buck fifty. He’s lean, young, good looking even, and looks like he could really do some damage in cross if he wanted too. Jeez, could I be a more polar opposite? I’ve never seen Speedy outside the confines of my commute, and since I can’t stay on his wheel, I’ll never know just how fast Speedy is. But I tell ya, I’d pay good money to see Speedy and Aussie go at it in Cross.

So I make a half hearted, defeated attempt to stay with Speedy till the next light. Yea, right, who am I kidding? I’m out of the saddle hammering like a uncoordinated clutz, cuz my short little legs just don’t spin past 80, if you know what I mean. Just imagine a hamster trying to spin 120 and you get the picture. I must have been doing 22mph or so and I couldn’t go any faster with a 42/16. Speedy looks over his shoulder, with that smirk I’ve come to know so well. He’s toying with me again, I’m glad I’m so amusing. What am I? Speedy’s post work entertainment? I can’t hang with Speedy, he knows it, I know it. And I sure as hell can’t hang with Speedy on a Single Speed. That’s ok though, cuz I like Speedy. He’s a good guy really, he’s just trying to make me tougher, and faster, because I’ve told him of my cross aspirations. (BTW, cross starts 3 months from Sunday. Not that I’m counting or anything) Speedy is a good guy I’d like to do a ride with some time, (outside of commuting) but I couldn’t hang. Speedy would get bored and that would be that. Speaking of bored, Speedy now knows upon witnessing my spastic, flailing, out of the saddle attempt to stay with him that I’m in no condition to play chase today. I reach the next light, in oxygen deficit mind you, half mad at myself for giving up so easy, and half mad at myself for even bothering to try.

Speedy waves, “See you Amigo” and I wave back “See you Speedy” I can only watch him go. I’m prolly 15 years his senior, but I feel like the little kid watching the Master. Oh well, there are always people faster and slower than yourself, right? I just wish that there was a little more people slower than me, and a little less people faster than me…….

The rest of the way home went uneventful, I listened to my heavy breathing, and was forced out of the saddle way more than the last few days as my tired legs just did not want to turn over. Despite tomorrow being so nice weather wise, I’m taking a day off the bike to rest up for the upcoming weekend. CPK and red wine are on my agenda for tomorrow, my cheat day…

Miles ridden today, 21

Miles ridden 2008, 1908.

Cheers!