Here’s my write-up from tonight’s Clubbing with the Clem. Attached in the next post (which makes this message too large) will also be a video (it’s funny) and a photo in case you can’t be bothered with goofball videos.
Clubbing with the Clem: My Racing Platypus is in need of new shoes. Those shipped today, and I am not above praying that they arrive before Friday’s club ride. I rode in the women’s group tonight, and they are the fastest group I ride with. People are getting used to the weird bikes I drag to club rides, but I thought this romantic step-through might be pushing it. “Isn’t that the bike you always ride?” one woman asked. 🙄 The choices: 8-12 mph, 15-16 mph or 17+. I fell in with the 15-16 group and the ride leader said, “My cyclometer isn’t working, so I might have trouble keeping the pace.” Good, I thought. It is NINETY degrees, humid, and there is a 14 mph wind. And I’m on this here Clem, which is wider than the van I used to drive it here and probably as heavy. The leader peeled out of the parking lot and hit a nice cruising speed of 18-20 mph!!!! My heart rate was immediately in the 180s and I thought, Leah you fool. Turn this Clem around right now and go home. But I had run my big mouth saying I was taking my Clem to a club ride, and now I was committed. The written words of Grant Petersen flitted through my mind. He was extolling the virtues of the Clem and then added, “But don’t take it on club rides or anything.” And here I was. Doing the very thing - the only thing - that the bike’s creator never intended. I panicked a little bit. My heart has this annoying thing it does where if I’m pushing too hard/stressed it will beat irregularly. I felt the little PACs start to flutter inside my chest. I drank more water and prayed not to die on my bike tonight since that would really mess up the pace for the group. The winds were brutal, loud enough that it was hard to have conversation with the woman next to me. Ride leaders often switch on windy nights, but not this little dynamo. She pulled us along anywhere from 17-20 mph for much of that ride. We got stuck at a stop which put a 0.2 mile gap between us and the riders in front of us - I hate when that happens and I always rush to catch back up. But today it took me miles to close that gap. We got to our halfway point where we hydrate/eat/admire each other’s accessories. “The best part of the ride is when we discuss the colors of our accoutrements,” I said. The roadie next to me disagreed. “The best part of the ride is when we pull into the parking lot at the end.” That gave me pause. Is that how people feel about rides? Because I usually enjoy myself so much - weather can be a bummer, sure, but I’ve yet to have a bad ride on my Platypus. I often learn something on a ride. At the start, I was short of breath from working so hard and worrying about failure. I was using a lot of upper body. By the end, I was still except for legs and core and that seemed to propel me along without zapping my energy and breath. I wonder if that is a real phenomenon or if I made that up. Someone will know. The Clem saw me safely home but I’m going to feel it in the morning. Still, I’m glad we did it. This bike has seen me through 2020 and the grief I expunged on it when we lost Dad. It was my only bike for that year and we rode nearly 3,000 miles together. And now, it has taken me on a club ride; though it was never intended for one. I said let’s go and it took me. That’s love. > On May 31, 2022, at 2:42 PM, Doug H. <dhansford1...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Yes! Represent all the Clem's out there in the wild. > Doug > > On Tue, May 31, 2022 at 2:35 PM JohnS <sharp...@gmail.com> wrote: >> Good luck and hope it goes well. I'm planning on doing a group ride this >> evening and it's supposed to be a hot one as well, plenty of fluids! >> >> JohnS >> >> >> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 2:23:41 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: >>> All good options, everyone. Except the ones that suggested I skip this week >>> because I am definitely going. >>> >>> I’ll ride the women’s ride tonight (this group tends to be pretty fast, >>> maybe 16 mph but often up at 18 or 19 when they really get a flat stretch) >>> and I am taking….my Clem. 😱 I miss it, and it deserves a good, hard ride >>> like we had in 2019-2020, when we tore through the desert, just the two of >>> us. Flashback to 2,000 miles with it in 2020: >>> >>> >>> This is maybe a huge mistake because it is a sweltering 88 degrees, humid, >>> and I have eaten a lot of crap over Memorial Day Weekend. I spent the >>> weekend at a family fishing tournament and not in the saddle, so I’m not >>> in fighting form. But, I love a challenge. If I keel over on my bike >>> tonight and you read about it in the paper, just know that I went out >>> spectacularly. >>> >>> Leah >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> On May 31, 2022, at 10:07 AM, Jingy <indepthin...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> Another option is to skip the group ride this week and lone wolf it. >>> >>>> Jim >>>> >>>> On Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 9:01:10 AM UTC-5 jeffrey kane wrote: >>>>> Great stories, as usual - I'm pretty sure I remember suggesting that you >>>>> should consider converting that ol' Betty Foy into your drop bar go-fast >>>>> bike a long time back ... >>>>> >>>>> On Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 10:10:18 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! >>>>> wrote: >>>>>> We moved to Michigan 4 months ago. After years of being a Lone Wolf I >>>>>> did the unthinkable and joined the local bike club. The club was founded >>>>>> by racers 50 (FIFTY!) years ago, but they seemed welcoming enough. >>>>>> Having never ridden in a group, I lacked knowledge of my pace and skill, >>>>>> did not knowif I’d enjoy club riding. I’ve never been a road rider. The >>>>>> West has always offered me bike lanes and bike paths - riding with cars >>>>>> going 55 mph seemed suicidal. Would it be stressful? Would I be >>>>>> accepted? Would I be slow? My raspberry Platypus is my lightest build. I >>>>>> don’t know how much it weighs, but it has a lightweight Nitto rear rack, >>>>>> a Bag Boy Saddlesack (not pictured), and too many things on the >>>>>> handlebars. Meet my club ride bike. >>>>>> >>>>>> My Racing Platypus. 😂 >>>>>> >>>>>> One of the board members took me under her wing. She invited her good >>>>>> friend and organized a ride for the 3 of us. She taught me club >>>>>> etiquette on the road. They rode carbon bikes with drop bars, but they >>>>>> did not question my bike. It went great. Bolstered by that ride, I >>>>>> accepted her invite to the first club ride of the season, provided we >>>>>> could ride in the same group. “They’ll never believe it when you show up >>>>>> with that bike, Leah, but you’re strong and you can definitely do club >>>>>> rides.” I have stars in my eyes for this woman; she is admirable in >>>>>> every way. If she said I could do it, I would try. >>>>>> >>>>>> I pulled into the park and it was carbon and drop bars as far as the eye >>>>>> could see. A wave of nausea washed over me as I walked my Platypus to >>>>>> the group huddle. Billie Bars on full display, Grant Safety triangle >>>>>> clasped around my waist, looking like a true Lone Wolf, I stood in the >>>>>> circle. The older members were very welcoming and found nice things to >>>>>> say about the Racing Platypus. The younger racers…well, they ignored it. >>>>>> I’m just as guilty; I find them terrifying, so I didn’t say hello, >>>>>> either. >>>>>> >>>>>> My mentor put us in the 12-14 mph group. A good place to start. It >>>>>> proved too easy and I coasted much of that 20 miles. We decided we’d do >>>>>> the 15-16 mph group next time. That day came and due to bad weather it >>>>>> was a small turnout. We joined the slow group again because they would >>>>>> have only had 2 riders otherwise. We chose the route famous for its >>>>>> “rollers” (“What are rollers?” the Platypus rider asked.) and conquered >>>>>> them in cold weather with a headwind. The Racing Platypus, baptized on >>>>>> the mountains and hills of Las Vegas, took no issue with those rollers. >>>>>> >>>>>> The next night was the women’s ride - the first of the season. About 10 >>>>>> women, all experienced riders. Triathletes and marathoners, most. All on >>>>>> drop bar carbon or aluminum. Wondering if they should create a slow and >>>>>> a fast group, my mentor interrupted and said we’ll be one 15-16 mph >>>>>> group. Leah can hang. >>>>>> >>>>>> I hadn’t realized *I* was the reason they were considering a slow group, >>>>>> but there it was. >>>>>> >>>>>> That was a challenging ride. Those women were fast. The route was 24 >>>>>> miles and the wind was strong. I was able to stay in 2nd and 3rd >>>>>> position but I was working to do it. I loved it; such fun to ride with >>>>>> bike people and to let them plan the route. We passed by 4 lakes. We saw >>>>>> tons of wildlife. Cars were nice to us and it felt safe to ride on roads >>>>>> with the group. I got the “wow, a vintage bike” and “I’d like a cruiser >>>>>> bike, too” comments, and one comment that assumed I must not be able to >>>>>> afford a carbon bike. They don’t know how it’s possible not to be >>>>>> clipped in. They marveled at my kickstand. But, I don’t mind because >>>>>> it’s so much fun to ride with them. >>>>>> >>>>>> Observations and Things I’m learning: >>>>>> 1. Bike diversity is healthy. >>>>>> It is good for racers to see Rivendells and similar style bikes in their >>>>>> club rides. It is good for me to appreciate other kinds of bikes and >>>>>> other riding styles. I can be as guilty as them for thinking my way/bike >>>>>> are best. >>>>>> >>>>>> 2. Bringing your practical, Just Ride mentality to a club is good. >>>>>> It seems racer types don’t know about USING a bike. You cannot have your >>>>>> carbon frame knocked about in a bike rack, so errands by bike/commuting >>>>>> isn’t popular. I have been active on the club’s FB discussion page, and >>>>>> been posting the 30 Days of Biking challenge. I’ve got pics of my huge >>>>>> grocery hauls on my Shopping Platypus and the like. Surprisingly, they >>>>>> did not know about this national challenge, and several of them are now >>>>>> joining me, including my mentor! Riding for pleasure and errands is a >>>>>> foreign concept to most. They ride to go fast and get miles and be fit. >>>>>> But, they show genuine interest in riding for practical reasons. >>>>>> >>>>>> 3. There are things you can learn from racers. >>>>>> They are more aware of safety issues than I am. They saved me from a >>>>>> crash last night by calling out “HOLE!” while my head was turned, >>>>>> enthralled with the swans on the lake. I saw the hole and swerved just >>>>>> in time. I also ride too close to the yellow lines in the center of the >>>>>> road for their comfort and they (rightly) corral me back in. Shifting is >>>>>> going to matter. I rarely shift, but I noticed that after a stop, I’m >>>>>> slow to get going and standing on my pedals - because I’m in my hardest >>>>>> gear, duh. I should learn to anticipate that so I’m in a more favorable >>>>>> gear when we set off from intersections. There will be more lessons I >>>>>> glean from them, I am sure. >>>>>> >>>>>> 4. Club riding will force you to be faster. >>>>>> Speed hasn’t been a priority for me, but it’s nice to know you *can* be >>>>>> fast. And if you can be faster, you will likely be fitter. I’m >>>>>> interested to see how my body responds to these new challenges. >>>>>> >>>>>> 5. Club riding will teach you about yourself. >>>>>> The more I ride, the more I learn. My preferences have evolved over the >>>>>> years, but I think I know how I like my bikes and my gear. I know the >>>>>> terrain I prefer. But I was doing all my riding alone. Riding with >>>>>> others shows you where you fall in context, introduces new experiences, >>>>>> reveals little things you might not know about yourself - like your >>>>>> biases. Riding with others can show you who you are - good, bad or ugly. >>>>>> >>>>>> Two women in my group are interested in a Platypus of their own. My >>>>>> mentor is saving her pennies for one, and another woman told me last >>>>>> night she is very interested. Mine will probably be the only Racing >>>>>> Platypus. But it would be a thrill to see more of these bikes here in >>>>>> town. >>>>>> >>>>>> Don’t count yourself out just because you ride a bike that is markedly >>>>>> different from the norm. Attached are photos from my last 2 club rides. >>>>>> Leah >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/EICfswhTsI8/unsubscribe. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>> >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b2ea6e46-202b-4a7b-822b-7ba9993f3c3cn%40googlegroups.com. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/EICfswhTsI8/unsubscribe. >> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >> rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/e13696e5-5fca-4075-9090-73290f9b6dc0n%40googlegroups.com. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google > Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/EICfswhTsI8/unsubscribe. > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAHWKbCLip%2BC9L-%3D-iWuQYQNO5CXAtWUMpLnQUzgJ4%3Dt49zqqgA%40mail.gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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