Nothing gets me up Heartbreak Hill faster than another cyclist with gears. I once climbed that thing so fast I had to juggle basic life tasks like “trying to breathe” while coughing, gasping, and trying not to fall over.
Nothing, apparently, makes me pedal faster than seeing another cyclist up ahead of me. Yesterday afternoon was filled with random encounters: a Babson student heading to Somerville on a single-speed [we rode through Watertown together…and he was fast], a handful of random cyclists in Cambridge [as usual], and I even ran into Boston’s Cutest Polo Player/Courier. Helmetless, brakeless, and clipless, seeing him made me question why I’ve been attracted to the spandexed-out roadie types these days.
I headed into the library fairly early today, and with the warmer weather, I expected to see packs of roadies flocking towards Dover. Maybe I got up too late, but I didn’t see one. Not one cyclist on the road, just a handful of cars and one group of runners. And without that adrenaline rush of unreasonable competition, I was rolling along at a pace that would have been more suitable on a heavy cruiser.
But even so I got to school before the library opened. That meant that few students were around. That meant, too, that I could shamelessly change out of my sweaty t-shirt in front of my locker [yes, we get lockers in lawyer school].
I have a feeling though, that I’m going to see more bike people tonight when I head out. Or, at least I hope so. Because someone’s gotta motivate me…and it’s certainly not going to be me.
[Also, this is my 100th post! Yayyyy!]
Tags: bicycle · competition · cyclist · locker · roadies5 Comments
5 responses so far ↓
Many of the spandex road cyclists that you know started out as punk rockers and skaters, we rediscovered bikes after skating became played out.
We rode fixies, some of us worked as couriers. We retained the skater/punk ethic and aesthetic.
As we matured, many of us got more serious jobs, started showering more, and toned down our aggressive appearance. But we remained cyclists. The more competitive amongst us race our bicycles.
As a product of 1980/90’s skateboard/punk/hardcore culture, my favorite part about racing bicycles is the risk and the aggression. It is a terrifying sport; it takes audacity as well as fitness to do well.
If you start asking around, you will find that many of the bicycle racers in our demographic have similar backgrounds.
While it would have increased my street cred, I am glad that I didn’t get “NoFu ture” tattooed on my knuckles back in the day…
haha
RMM — so basically i have crushes on the same types of people, just older? i can only hope i can someday be sort of legit on a bike. like in the racing kind of way.
jamie — i miss you guys. next weekend, though!!!
^bah, you’re totally legit on a bike. I wish I got to do as much riding as you.
eric — i think we have different definitions of “legit.” i’m trying though!