Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Tunnel of Silence

All day on Tuesday I sat at work like a 5 year old excited that today would be the official kickoff ride of the year with our local Spinners Club Tuesdays night rides. More than 100 showed and the numbers will only grow considerably over the weeks. After breaking off into pace groups the ride begun.

Thoughts as the ride unfolds…

A bit nervous. Got a hotdog kid in front of me. He speeds up and then slows down. All over the road. Must get away from him. I fall in behind the leader. Nice warm up pace. Make a few turns. Pace picks up. Scott pulls ahead and I begin to drop one by one. Pissed. Chicken. Must hold line. Must hold pace. Scott now out of sight. Effort is low and pace is slowing. Another person passes me. COME ONE. Grab some courage to pass. Hold the pace you big chicken. Make my move. One by one I gain distance between the back of the pack to the front. I see Scott. Pace picks up a bit more. I am right where I want to be. Don’t panic. Don’t move. Hold your line. Then it happens. A indescribable sound. A tunnel of silence. Perfect unity that I am a part of. I hold my line. I feel strong. I attack hills. Strangers to each other but team of one on the road. Another turn. Another hill. Tradeoffs on pulling. Pace strong. Pack strong. Courage found.

And just like that our first Spinners Tuesday night ride is complete. Legs are toast. Spirits are high. Scott and I talk nonstop all of the way home. Perfect night.

Today my legs are doing a little talking to me. Nothing bad. Just wait until I take them for a 6 mile run this afternoon. :)
Robin

14 comments:

Wes said...

Sweet ride, and just a great training experience! I need to do more group rides...

Mel-2nd Chances said...

what an amazing post! I need to find a cycling group... i'm a total chicken.

Shannon said...

Nice job girl and your no chicken!

Scott1254 said...

18-1/2 mph pace was pretty good on those hills. You did a GREAT JOB ! ! ! Real proud of you for "getting in the mix".

Runner Mom said...

So glad that you had a great ride, chickadee! Maybe I'll make it out there with you after track season!! I'll see about Thursday night!Is there a "no man left behind" group ???

Hugs!
Susan

Stuart said...

Now that sounds like a total blast! And you know you're only going to get faster!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo; that was so exciting.

Marlene said...

That makes me want togo for a ride and I don't even own a bike. Well said! And so glad you had a great experience back with the group.

Scott McMurtrey said...

hot dog kids are funny. especially if they look like one. :)

i've been riding my bike to work when it's not snowing. it's good for the soul.

teacherwoman said...

Ahh, I can't wait for better (and warmer) weather so I can start joining the group for some rides!

Unknown said...

I cannot wait to get this bike out on the road for something longer than 5 miles.
Just reading this makes me wish for warm weather even more.

Come on now, you know your not chicken. How many of those people towed the line at one of the toughest 50 milers in the country...and finished?

I Run for Fun said...

Great job!

Then it happens. A indescribable sound. A tunnel of silence. Perfect unity that I am a part of.

Love that!

Marcy said...

Look at you getting all biker (or is that cycle) chick on us ;-)

zanne said...

AWESOME post! Love those rides, am familiar with every one of those thoughts in your head!

I see some racing in your future!