Unrace One.
by Grizzly Adam
The banter was light as we waited for other riders to arrive.
“Is Fatty coming?”
“Said he was.”
“Aaron is on his way.”
“Hope he brought his legs.”
“Did you bring yours?”
“You’ll find out.”
We rolled out casually, a pace that lasted at least 100 meters. The moment we passed the pay station the clock started running. Mark surged ahead.
“Is he…?”
“I think he is.”
“Go ahead, Rick, bring him back.”
“We’ll get him.”
And we did. But the stage was set. We meant business. And from then on the pace was scorching, and the conversation lacking. And as the road turned upward toward Timpanooeke the group splintered. Rick shifted down, stood up and took off.
“There he goes.”
Nobody closed that gap, and Rick rode to victory. That is, he would have, had this been a race. Which it clearly was not.
As each of us crossed the finish line, we all gleamed at having done so in record time. Or, as Fatty said afterward, “Mark and I were your stick, and you were our carrot.” My neck grew sore turning and looking back so often, always expecting the precarious gap to vanish. I had to dig a little deeper than I wanted to… in a group ride. But they were always there, pedaling and pedaling.
I considered pulling to the side of the road, and curling up under an evergreen. But that’s when I caught a glimpse of Rick up the road. Carrot, meet stick. And off I went.
In the end, it was a fantastic result for me—55:00.
It’s a shame we weren’t racing.
Related posts:
[...] A Note from Fatty: Some people have been asking how my Alpine Loop Summit TT went. Well, I got rained out on the day I was supposed to go, but I did it this morning with a group of fast friends. My finish time was 55:56. Slower than my best time last year, but not a bad early-season effort! And I am tired. Check out how my friends did on the newly-formed Alpine Loop Time Trial page, and read Grizzly Adam’s ride race report here. [...]
Please tell me you were suffering. OK, I know you were suffering. But which was worse, today, or the day the ski boots were pinching your feet in Silver Fork?
I think I need to find new friends that aren’t so good at suffering.
Different. But that ski boot day was some of the worst pain I’ve ever felt. And today, yes, I was suffering. A lot.
Some friends you are. I expected a pancake feast awaiting my arrival at the summit.
Nothing compares to the “unrace.” Not to mention one up AF canyon!
You forgot to mention that YOU were riding a cross bike and posted a 55. Impressive.
Cross Bike? That IS impressive!