Last night was the weekly, fast "A" ride at the LBS. It was perfect weather for a fast ride. This is the fastest ride around with the strongest riders in the area. There were about 20 riders, but I didn't get an accurate count. We rode through town and we passed the last intersection where the group takes off like a bat out of hell. One guy in the group was on a comfort bike. Hey, two weirdos - the comfort bike and the recumbent. I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into. He said he was going to hang on as long as possible. Well, that was for about two seconds and he was gone - the first casualty. I stayed back from the group around 10 to 15 feet so I would be out of the way of riders coming off the front. They started doing a double pace line, which can really stress the weaker riders compared with a single pace line. We went on for a while at a good clip and then hit a hill. Everyone hung on okay. Then we went on for a while and hit a short but steep hill. I stayed left so I wouldn't get trapped and have to slow down. I made it almost to the front of the pack and then I let the group get back up to speed. The group almost split, but everyone made it over the hill and the group reformed. We sailed on at high speed. On and on and then I had to swerve around a couple of riders who blew up. We went on for more miles and then the pace picked up again. I was following at 26 to 30 mph and almost lost the group because I had to go around another dropped rider. More people were getting dropped. We made it onto the final stretch of quite a few miles and there were only six riders left plus me. Then there were five. Then another one blew and there were four. One more dropped. Now the three strongest riders and I were sailing at a very high speed to the finish. Then one of the three, who is young and very strong, gave it up and fell back. Only two riders and me. They pushed and pushed. Unbelievable speed on DFs. I stayed glued to them like a saddle sore. Then they sprinted for the sign and pulled away. I switched to full power output and all I could do was get closer to them. I didn't have enough time to actually pass them and take the sign. So I was third out of the whole group. Afterwards, a couple of the guys asked me about the bike. Apparently, they were surprised that a recumbent could stay with that group all the way to the finish. Meet Mr. V, my friends.
. Anyone have a link where you order these components. Preferably the discount links.
