RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
So some of you know I recently built a very nice top of the line Trek Domane for group rides and the occasional double century to shut up some of the haters in the California Triple Crown series. So far the bike has been a blast to ride and I'm really jelling with the aero bars I installed to keep my wrist from taking the brunt of my weight. I've been having some solid noon rides on it all through september but something changed after my 500 mile race in Texas. Instead of going through a recovery period for a few weeks to regain my speed and stamina, I suddenly got way faster not even a week after the race. I've had this happen before after 24hr mtb races where I'll suddenly win a 90 min XC race which I almost never do. So last friday this monday and tuesday I've been killing it on the DF bike to the point it feels like the group is just holding back and letting me walk away. So yesterday I decided to try and better my time of the 10 min hill climb at the beginning of the ride which saw me drop the whole group out of sight so I did a quick U-turn to rejoin them because it ain't a group ride if you're solo. I'd estimate I pulled the group of 4 then 3 then 2 riders for 98% of the ride. I was just laying on my aero bars and giving it a solid effort, not trying to drop the others but more of offering my body to break the wind for the group. I dropped all but one rider by the end which surprised me because I still thought I had a group of 4 behind me. When I get this fast I normally start wearing the 10lb weight vest so I still work hard with the group but don't ruin everyone day by forcing them to choke on a lung. Keep in mind these are just everyday group rides with no prizes even if they happen to be very fast at times and contain some skilled racers.
Then I get this PM last night from one of the very fast riders who honestly I really enjoy riding with.
Rider
You are a badass! And, you’ll always be a badass! You would have prevailed to day anyway. Consider relying on your leges! Road race without the aero bars, without the recumbent. You will win your share, but it will be heads up, totally fair. Thoughts?
Jason
Not sure what you mean I have zero desire to enter road races. mtb racing and ultra races are the only races I plan to do for the foreseeable future.
Rider
The lab rides are generally road-race ‘gear’. It’s nice to have ‘fun’ competition on a level field. It’s fun to best the group, maybe more satisfying with equal tools. Otherwise why not ride alone. What’s to prove?
Jason
there's nothing to prove at least in my eyes, they are just fun rides with friends. If someone isn't fast enough they figure out how to improve to keep up. If someone becomes too fast they toss on a weight vest and equalize the playing field. Surround yourself with fast people and you too will become fast, that's always been my approach.
Rider
I disagree. I’m 59, and I can keep up with you, aero bars or not. But, you have 10% more aero, and you leave 10% less draft. Do you need unfair advantage to compete with me? Laugh a second, Jason. I’m 59, and you had to use technical advantage to keep up with me, and you think that makes you faster? How old are you? Even close? You should see me (from far behind, I’m sure), on an aero rig. Laugh at yourself some, Jason, life is fun! Don’t take yourself too seriously, I don’t.
Jason
Um you sound upset like you are taking today's ride. I'm not racing against you or anyone of the riders on the noon ride, I'm riding with you. You're calling me out on one of the only noon rides ever where I cut loose and pushed the pace instead of doing my best to get as many in the group through the ride quickly together. Today I just wanted to push myself hard because I seem to have gained something after my last race so I wanted to see if I could go a bit faster then normal. I didn't build the trek to keep up with noon riders, I built it for comfort during long group rides like double centuries, that is why it's like 20lbs and not some 15lb minimalist race bike. I've got to hit the sack so good night
Rider
Not upset, just amused. I’m writing a book on happiness. Do you think this matters to me? You are pretty defensive though, I was that at your age, Too. Sweet dreams.
5:15AM
Jason
I'm not defense at all I only stated as much as sometime text can come across that way and create misunderstandings. It just seemed odd when you turned a simple group ride into a me vs you and started comparing our ages in you previous post. You don't have to remind me you're twice my age, I have huge respect for how well you ride. I loved how you overtook that one rider on yersterdays downhill to keep on par with Scott and I who were getting away. I love telling my dad about the times you kick my ass when I get back to the shop because you guys are the same age. I laugh at myself every day, you can bet that if I take the time to type someone it was done with a smile on my face. I don't bother with negative back and forth with people it serves no purpose.
7:16AM
Rider
I crossed the line a little last night. I apologize. As you know, I enjoy discussion, elevating the thought, humor and sarcasm, challenge, friendly competing of ideas. I love that! I liked my argument and also yours. The key is you’re a badass, you are fun to ride with, and, your wordplay is stellar. A worthy opponent on all fronts! I will keep talking trash, though, just know I do it with a conspiratorial wink of the eye.
I’m looking forward to another fun adventure today.
Then I get this PM last night from one of the very fast riders who honestly I really enjoy riding with.
Rider
You are a badass! And, you’ll always be a badass! You would have prevailed to day anyway. Consider relying on your leges! Road race without the aero bars, without the recumbent. You will win your share, but it will be heads up, totally fair. Thoughts?
Jason
Not sure what you mean I have zero desire to enter road races. mtb racing and ultra races are the only races I plan to do for the foreseeable future.
Rider
The lab rides are generally road-race ‘gear’. It’s nice to have ‘fun’ competition on a level field. It’s fun to best the group, maybe more satisfying with equal tools. Otherwise why not ride alone. What’s to prove?
Jason
there's nothing to prove at least in my eyes, they are just fun rides with friends. If someone isn't fast enough they figure out how to improve to keep up. If someone becomes too fast they toss on a weight vest and equalize the playing field. Surround yourself with fast people and you too will become fast, that's always been my approach.
Rider
I disagree. I’m 59, and I can keep up with you, aero bars or not. But, you have 10% more aero, and you leave 10% less draft. Do you need unfair advantage to compete with me? Laugh a second, Jason. I’m 59, and you had to use technical advantage to keep up with me, and you think that makes you faster? How old are you? Even close? You should see me (from far behind, I’m sure), on an aero rig. Laugh at yourself some, Jason, life is fun! Don’t take yourself too seriously, I don’t.
Jason
Um you sound upset like you are taking today's ride. I'm not racing against you or anyone of the riders on the noon ride, I'm riding with you. You're calling me out on one of the only noon rides ever where I cut loose and pushed the pace instead of doing my best to get as many in the group through the ride quickly together. Today I just wanted to push myself hard because I seem to have gained something after my last race so I wanted to see if I could go a bit faster then normal. I didn't build the trek to keep up with noon riders, I built it for comfort during long group rides like double centuries, that is why it's like 20lbs and not some 15lb minimalist race bike. I've got to hit the sack so good night
Rider
Not upset, just amused. I’m writing a book on happiness. Do you think this matters to me? You are pretty defensive though, I was that at your age, Too. Sweet dreams.
5:15AM
Jason
I'm not defense at all I only stated as much as sometime text can come across that way and create misunderstandings. It just seemed odd when you turned a simple group ride into a me vs you and started comparing our ages in you previous post. You don't have to remind me you're twice my age, I have huge respect for how well you ride. I loved how you overtook that one rider on yersterdays downhill to keep on par with Scott and I who were getting away. I love telling my dad about the times you kick my ass when I get back to the shop because you guys are the same age. I laugh at myself every day, you can bet that if I take the time to type someone it was done with a smile on my face. I don't bother with negative back and forth with people it serves no purpose.
7:16AM
Rider
I crossed the line a little last night. I apologize. As you know, I enjoy discussion, elevating the thought, humor and sarcasm, challenge, friendly competing of ideas. I love that! I liked my argument and also yours. The key is you’re a badass, you are fun to ride with, and, your wordplay is stellar. A worthy opponent on all fronts! I will keep talking trash, though, just know I do it with a conspiratorial wink of the eye.
