That which is the arch enemy of every athlete and it seems especially cyclists, is now upon us in full force! I send out this Blogazoidal Post as a warning cry not unlike Paul Revere more than two centuries ago. If you are of a serious nature regarding your sport and fitness level, you will want to heed this sage advice. Because, my friends, the dreaded is now upon us!
But, before we sound the alarm too loudly, let's first peek in on the peloton's antics from last Saturday.
The group, albeit smaller than usual, seemed quite game as we stood in the chilly air under cloudy skies waiting for the habitual late-comers. Most never showed. We didn't blame them, as it was windy, cloudy and in the low 50s...not an ideal Florida cycling day. Funny, the forecast day before had called for sunny skies, which as you know, make all the difference in this part of the world. Regardless, we launched out on the Pine Forest Loop more as a huddled mass then a long string of riders. It really was the first real brisk day of this Autumn riding season.
We rode our way westward along familiar roads eventually popping out on Massachusetts and the first real speed of the day. Several took it into the mid 20s mph starting with a pull from the Vortex himself. Circle K and Scary Gary (Uh, sorry Gary but everyone get's a nickname and it was either Hairy or Scary...I chose the latter.), had the bit between the teeth as they brought us up to the right hander onto Mobile Hwy. We made the quick left turn and onto very nice roads for about 5 miles. Then another left turn onto Interstate Ave. This is where things really began to heat up. On the second of two short hills, Scary Gary and a young Jedi got a gap of about 70 meters which they extended to about 150 with 2 kilometers left to the line. (This is the infamous Pine Forest Sprint, aka PFS, that has been the site of many a peloton antic as well as a few close calls with with those driving pickup trucks...just ask Happy.)
A chase group of Circle K, Danamal, Subway Shorts (Home of the Big Hoagie) and the Vortex formed, not wanting to allow the young Jedi or Scary Gary the honors without a fight. As they passed under the Flam Rouge, (That's French, it means: 1k to go banner), the lead was cut in half. Soon thereafter, Subway Shorts gave up the ghost and Circle K put the hammer down with Danamal and Vortex in tow. At the 500m mark the lead was 20 meters and closing. The fans were going wild! The chase group finally blew past the leaders with less than 400 meters to go as the escape had run out of gas. At 200 meters with Circle K still doing his version of a suicide pull, Vortex jumps hard leaving his two allies in the chase group behind and taking the PFS honors for the first time in what seems to be over a decade. The key word there was "seems".
After a brief stop at Raceway, the group decided on a stop a Starbucks would be more appropriate on this blustery Fall morning. Great time by the way. A nice hot latte and good conversation with friends warms up any chill.
Soon we were back at it heading east and south towards home. We enjoyed a nice tailwind at times which made the ride back all the more enjoyable. As we turned onto Langley however, the group got suspiciously quiet as more than one rider was calculating this last 5k into the finish on Maygarden. The Prenti accomplished a nice pull down Langley before turning the duties over to the Vortex on Spanish. Vortex hauled the bunch until just about 2k to go. In the changing of the guard, there was a bit of confusion however and the pesky young Jedi escaped yet again. He enjoyed a 50m lead until just under 1k to go. (There was still plenty of fight left in this group.) At the catch, there was a counter move which separated three upfront from the rest. However, with 200m to go it was the young Jedi with Danamal on his wheel. (I've seen how this movie ends before!) With 100m to the line, the Danamal in all his Bianchi framed, Zipp wheeled glory, clicks a gear and with a wry smile mumbles, "AMF!" (Uh...lest there is any misunderstanding, that's a phrase know to our Spanish neighbors to the south. It means, "Adios My Friend!"
Danamal wins the final sprint with the young Jedi taking silver and Circle K the bronze. Great ride on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny, although a bit windy day! A day that sent a wake up call throughout the peloton. Yes, a day that revealed that the dreaded may be on the horizon...
It's true. Every year the time changes moving that warm sun back an hour and causing more than a few cyclists to retreat indoors. But, there is a more insidious enemy to the cyclist than a lack of miles or hours in the aerobic zone. Yes, it too visits this time of year...every year! And this dreaded foe is now upon us in all it's crafty, deceptive and stealthy magnificence. It is time to sound the proverbial alarm! The dreaded Eating Season is now overtaken us in full force! Beware my friends, be very aware! It will creep into your home and entice you to do things you would otherwise never do! I have seen the fittest of athletes diminished (or expanded) to a shadow of their former beastly selves. This cunning season lasts only a few weeks, but it's consequences can be devastating for months and even years to come!
You may ask, "Brother Bob, when did this awful season start?" I answer to you, my naive friend, "Do you have Halloween candy in your home?" If you answered in the affirmative...then run! Run far away! Save yourself! You ask, "How long does this terrible season besiege us?" It's grasp usually lasts until sometime just a few minutes after midnight on New Years Eve. At that point, most deceived folks express they have what they describe as an "awakening from a fog", (not unlike the one they will awake from the following morning after the consumption of a few too many adult beverages the previous night), followed by a long list of repentances, vows or "resolutions". These so-called New Years Resolutions usually last but a few days or weeks as the penitent ones make a valiant effort to revert back to their pre-Eating Season fitness level. However, most are discouraged by the gross image they view in the bathroom mirror and give up in disgust and disgrace...and a few other "dis" words!
Now is the time to fight! Take up your sword, (bike), and go to battle (bike ride)! Your fellow soldiers (riders) are ready to fight with you! (Uh, that's a metaphor.) Don't give up! If you do...
Beware my friends, the dreaded is upon us.
See you out on the road,
Bob
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