An Answered Prayer
Less than a mile into my ride tonight, I was passed by this huge train of guys on bikes that retail for more than my car going about 30 mph. I thought about it for a sec and deicided I wanted a piece of this action and would hang on as long as I could (the hill up Snoqulmie Falls loomed less than 4 miles away) and hang I did. These guys were serious riders and somehow I managed to crest Sno Falls in 3rd place, climbing it faster than I had ever done in my life (speedometer never dipped below 16 mph) and I felt remarkably good for the effort. After the climb, the guys didn't seem to mind me leeching and almost every one of them complimented me on my ascent (I'm a huge fat ass compared to them so it probably did seem pretty good) and introduced themselves. A good start I thought. I had passed the worthiness test.
We regrouped in the parking lot of Salish Lodge and then spent the next 30 miles attacking the hell out of each other (guys are funny like that) and I was able to keep in front and even splintered the group pretty severely doing what I do best, leg busting tempo. 3 of us got away and then I was almost immediately dropped on the 2 mile descent of Snoqualmie Falls hill. Funny thing, I'm 6' 1", 230 pounds and able to climb with the best but I get dropped on the downhills. Go figure. Going all out, and I mean all out, I was able to bridge back up to two of the guys and suck their wheels to Duthie Hill Rd where I turned home due to darkness. I was invited to ride with them again and can't wait until next Thursday.
One great ride does not a cyclist make and it could have been just a fluke ride, but I'm so happy that I at least had the opportunity to have a fluke ride that I was nearly in tears as I rode the last few miles back to the house. I thought the days of riding like that this had passed me by.
