I look for Joe on every organized ride I join. I begin as the crowd gathers in the parking lot. I know his truck. I know he tends to arrive late. If I can't make my way his direction during the pre-ride briefing, I'll mark him on the roll-out. We end up riding together. Just about always.
Joe isn't married, but is in a long-term relationship. Doesn't matter. We don't talk about it.
I'm not interested in Joe that way.
I want his wheel.
In the fervor of recreational cyclists burnin' their way down the road, Joe is the wheel I'll follow into the fire because I know he'll bring me to the other side unscathed. He knows how to pick a line, knows how to finesse around pitfalls and people, knows how to gently alter his speed, knows how to stand without affecting his tempo and therefore the riders behind him. Joe knows there are such things as slow days, and that they make a cyclist stronger. And he knows when he's got a smooth rider on his tail.
Synergy.
Baby, oh.
I trust him with my life rolling by at 20 mph but on the screaming downhills I look for Joe #2.
- OB knows how to pick'em
10 comments:
"A good cyclist never stops pedalling and never needs to use the brakes."
That's the trick to being a steady wheel.
amended to:
"A good cyclist
knows how,
when
and when not
to adjust speed
and use the brakes
while pedaling."
:-]
Thanks a million OB!
I'm gonna earn those dollars, I promise.
i am so used to my #1 joe who i trust with my life on or off the bike that i am finding it hard getting used to riding behind anyone with any less skill
which is a problem since i have way less skill
but picky is my middle name
Budda -- you've already earned them!
Xbun -- that's been the toughest thing to get used to since leaving racing...I've learned I can't assume, learned how to watch and pick.
Ya gotta be picky.
I'd rather follow a hyperactive 8 year-old (redundant?) than me.
i just close my eyes and hope for the best.
nice e.e. cummings imitation in your previous post
thanks for your email; i just have so many things going on...i'll call you later this week? or you can call me; thurs, fri eves.
I prefer my version, even if it's an impossibility to attain. If you're always thinking of moving your feet -- even just to soft-pedal -- and always looking ahead and trying to figure out how to adjust your speed without having to use the brakes, it LEADS to your statement. Your statement is the result of keeping my statement as your motto. :)
ee cummings ...
show off.
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