A Race

Out in the desert today.  Doing long loops, stopping at the start point to make shakedown adjustments as they become apparent.  (Cable ties and Gorilla tape are GOD).

I’m climbing a short 2%er hill (2.5 miles).  I’ve got 75 miles under my belt so far today and the radiant temperature is 103F.  Thankfully moderate wind. 

A fellow on an upright bike behind me a bit, pushing to catch up.  He catches me and we share a greeting.  He slows and rides alongside me.  I admit to him I’m not likely to be much for conversation bc I’m a bit tired.  He’s o.k. with that. 

He says: “Recumbents have a hard time climbing, right?”  Me: “Actually, it’s the rider who does the climbing.  With good training a rider on an upright and a recumbent should do equally well.”  He responds but I can’t hear because of the wind and the road noise.  But the tone of his voice was friendly. 

A few minutes later he says he enjoyed riding with me and he needs to move on.  We both nod and he accelerates. 

As I watch him climb, out of the saddle, I begin to gauge how much I have `in the tank’ and what my training task for the day requires.  I conclude that I shouldn’t catch him.

So I take off to catch him. 

I reach him as we’re about finished with the first climb, before a false flat and another climb.  He sees me coming and speeds up.  I speed up.  He speeds up.  WE speed up. 

We hit the second, short, climb.  We’re both trying to kill ourselves, no energy even to laugh or yell in excitement. 

Finally, I’m at 27.5 mph and begin to inch forward.  Wisely, he tucks behind me to draft me with the plan to swing out when I am exhausted. 

Recumbents don’t offer an upright much of a drag. 

Finally, after a killing pace he pulls out and recedes.  I waive.  He waives.  We’re both too knackered to even risk a smile for fear that it will interfere with our breathing.

I reach a short descent and blast with everything, 33+ mph.  After a mile I don’t see him at all.

I’m toast.  Destroyed.  Empty.  And I have 25 – 30 miles to go. 

Made a great day. 

I think I could be his grandfather.