Donkey in the Derby
To start my Spring Break off right, I met Dave early this morning for a couple hours of riding, early at 6.30 before the real day began. We had discussed both riding single-speed but when I was preparing I noticed that the streets looked pretty wet around me so I instead chose to ride the LHT with its fenders and dynolight for the dark conditions at 6.30.
We met at Heine's at the Loop for a cup and then off with Dave leading the way. I've noticed that I can be a bit bossy in town b/c I tend to know where I am rather well, but this morning Dave was thoroughly in command, and more than just directionally. Those quick fitness rides from a couple weeks ago seem to be a long time in the past. Today even though I was geared and he SSing Dave consistently rode much, much more strongly than I; in fact, I had nothing' and spent 2 hours bitching about that fact. He even outclimbed me, such as on Maple, which is a tough hill, one he took out impressively out of the saddle at the top. I limped along in a low gear, head and shoulders slouching at the lack of legs. I spent the next hour trying to generate pace on the LHT but both it and I felt like fat, crippled pigs. Apertome not long ago claimed that his LHT rode like a "dog", and today's experience confirmed said observation. The LHT is a formidable mount for touring, commuting, errand running and such. As a road machine, though... Given my shorter training rides on lightweight road machines, getting on the LHT for a road ride, frankly, felt terrible. To be fair, the wine last night and lack of rest the past couple of weeks could have contributed too. ;)
We put in about 30 and finished off at Twig-n-Leaf for a warm breakfast before separating for an afternoon of chores and such. I both apologize and thank Dave for being a good sport with my incessant complaining. And I already put in a couple more miles on the Ute going up to fetch scones for the family crew, and I will probably have further errand rides today doing yard work. A SpringBreak start of bike rides, sunshine, rest, gardening, and the Cats winning is a great way to erase what was a mostly miserable March.
We met at Heine's at the Loop for a cup and then off with Dave leading the way. I've noticed that I can be a bit bossy in town b/c I tend to know where I am rather well, but this morning Dave was thoroughly in command, and more than just directionally. Those quick fitness rides from a couple weeks ago seem to be a long time in the past. Today even though I was geared and he SSing Dave consistently rode much, much more strongly than I; in fact, I had nothing' and spent 2 hours bitching about that fact. He even outclimbed me, such as on Maple, which is a tough hill, one he took out impressively out of the saddle at the top. I limped along in a low gear, head and shoulders slouching at the lack of legs. I spent the next hour trying to generate pace on the LHT but both it and I felt like fat, crippled pigs. Apertome not long ago claimed that his LHT rode like a "dog", and today's experience confirmed said observation. The LHT is a formidable mount for touring, commuting, errand running and such. As a road machine, though... Given my shorter training rides on lightweight road machines, getting on the LHT for a road ride, frankly, felt terrible. To be fair, the wine last night and lack of rest the past couple of weeks could have contributed too. ;)
We put in about 30 and finished off at Twig-n-Leaf for a warm breakfast before separating for an afternoon of chores and such. I both apologize and thank Dave for being a good sport with my incessant complaining. And I already put in a couple more miles on the Ute going up to fetch scones for the family crew, and I will probably have further errand rides today doing yard work. A SpringBreak start of bike rides, sunshine, rest, gardening, and the Cats winning is a great way to erase what was a mostly miserable March.
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