I am finally beginning to feel like I belong on this ride. I am the weakest cyclist of the 25 member group. The ride leader says this is the strongest group of riders he has ever seen on this tour. He says that in past years I would be in the middle to upper middle of the pack but not this year. We have some real animals. I suspect some of them may have escaped from the San Diego zoo. Many of them are seasoned racers. There are a couple of category 1 & 2 racers and one who claims to be a pro. Compared to me most of them are little guys, perhaps the size of Elizabeth (OK, maybe a little taller). I heard one guy lamenting the fact that he has trouble finding Xtra Small cycling clothes and 3 others chimed in with suggestion as to where they go. Their bodies look like they are chiseled from granite, they have virtually no body fat and I suspect their testosterone levels are off the chart. Many of them talk about the advice their coach has given them and it appears they are consulting their coaches on a regular basis. I think of most of the group as being Gazelles and me a Clydesdale. When the Gazelles approach a climb it is as if someone attaches a long stretched out bungee cord to their front wheel and they just fly up the hill. For me on the other had it looks as if someone has attached a bungee cord to my rear wheel and the further I climb up the hill the more it pulls me back. I make up for it though on the descent. There the laws of gravity/physics take over and I fly. I have been asked several times to warn the Gazelles that I am passing them as the air turbulence I cause has put a couple of them into the rough! For the most part they are a bunch of nice guys and I enjoy their company though I do not see much of them on the road. There are several crosses between a Gazelle and a Clydesdale that I ride with periodically. Some of the Gazelle's are starting to break down. One of them spent the day riding in the SAG. Apparently he has some kind of injury and his coach, personal trainer, physical therapist and personal physician all recommended that he take the day offJ. As a Clydesdale I just keep plugging along and know that I will get in before the sun goes down. I belong on this ride!!
Tomorrow we push on to Texas and leave New Mexico behind. It is billed as an easy day with very little climbing and strong tail winds. So easy, that we are leaving an hour later than normal (8 a.m.) and will get an extra or so of sleep. Us Clydesdales like that!
Looking back towards Las Vegas. Fenced pastures on both sides of road with mountains in the background.
Looking up the road (from previouys pic). The roads seemed to stretch on to the horizon.
An incredible 6 mile descent down the side of the mountain. The ride was thrilling and the view was spectacular!
The 1000 mile mark of the trip. Not bad, only 8 1/2 days of riding.
They call this "The Wall". 7/10ths of a mile with a 10% incline. The Clydesdale just put his head down, kept turning the pedals and fought the pull of that bungee wanting him to return to the bottom.
Looking down from the top of "The Wall". The Clydesdale had to stop and take a long cool drink (and take a pic)!
Yes, you belong on that ride! Keep pedaling and enjoying yourself!!! I have always admired Clydesdales,
ReplyDeleteJay, I just love the Clydesdale analogy. My middle name is Clyde and in marathons they have a division for runners over 210 pounds, they call them Clydesdales. I'm not kidding. As I said in my first comment, those sprinters will come back to reality, and injury is one of those realities. Just keep plugging along, this ride is definitely not a sprint and there is no advantage to trying to make it one. I often feel like a Clydesdale in my races and I get a certain perverse pleasure from it, you deserve to feel proud of what you are doing. Keep pulling that bungee cord along, it will get weaker and weaker as you keep stretching it out.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you finally got to really enjoy the ride & the sights! As a clydesdale I'm sure you will finish the journey with class. I myself am more of a pack mule. Pack up the gear, the car and off I go to soccer games, track meets, and school functions! Sit in the cold, wet, wind to watch the young stallions & fillies prance around the field while I huddle under an umbrella waiting for my turn to pack em up and drive em home!
ReplyDeleteLeisa
You are right DB! What a difference a day makes. I mean last night it took me forever to fall asleep and then I tossed and turned all night worrying about you due to you Blog entry yesterday. Now after reading this Blog entry, I just know I'll sleep like a baby tonight! Thank you! I really wish I would have stayed up late last night and read this before I went to bed!
ReplyDeleteHey - I have to believe Clydesdales drink more beer also.
couple good things about Clydesdales-----they bring beer.........they are huge (although not as big as elephants as we learned that fate full day in Africa :) ). come the Apocalypse they will soon die off of starvation due to the lack of Cache of body fat while we will be living large with our abundance of fat reserves (water, canned food, and ammunition, and maybe a worm farm to boot!). Never saw Gazelle in America while Clydesdales are decidedly American!!! In a bar fight a Gazelle would blow away in the wind while a Clydesdale would dominate with his large size and intimidating demeanor. And lastly I never saw a Gazelle truly appreciate a Sunday afternoon by lounging in the hammock reading a book smoking a cigar and drinking a beer,…. while I have seen a Clydesdale do that on countless occasions in the back yard of 1206………kinda weird having a large horse in a hammock in Essexville…….. good luck, keep going!
ReplyDeleteOne last thing while neither Gazelles or Clydesdales drive cars……I bet you if they did a Gazelle would only have 1 while the Clydesdale would have a whole fleet of old junkers to choose from!! (sure some of them may not run......but he will always have that choice)
ReplyDeleteJay,
ReplyDeleteHere are some things to think about:
The Clydesdale horse breed is best known for its size, over 18 hands, about six-feet and the feather above the hooves. The feather hooves and thick mane and heavy coat helped the breed survive in the Scottish climate.
Intelligent eyes peer from the Clydesdale Growing to over 2,000 pounds and having a high wither; this large beast is also known for its grace. With a seemingly eager gait, this horse always presents a positive attitude as it raises it feet cleanly from the ground before continuing with a long stride.
Queen Elizabeth II saw a colorful Clydesdale pulling a milk cart and was so impressed with the animal she pressed it into royal service as a drum carrier to haul a 90-pound silver kettle used by the Household Cavalry band.
From their use as warhorses in the 17th century to their work in advertising today, the Clydesdale horse breed has undergone powerful changes. Believed to have a history of over 300 years, the strong yet amiable animal was used in farming as well as pulling heavy loads in rural settings, as well as is urban and industrial areas.
You are in good company, hang in there, you do belong!
Kim