Back to the Grindstone

Just because I won my Half Ironman last week is no excuse for me to rest on my laurels. So today I went out for a ride on 9W. 9W can be a grind, but the fun part of riding there is that all the reindeer come out to play - bike teams, cycling clubs, triathletes, recumbent riders, and even a few decent mountain bikers all enjoy the wide shoulders and rolling hills. I like to ride up from Brooklyn as a warm-up (why sit on a train when you can exercise?) so I can really push the big ring once I hit the Jersey pavement.

Today I arrived about 9, just in time to see a few other triathlon "teams" (as if such a concept would really work in an individual sport!) gathering to ride. I gave the TriLife and Terrier Tri fools my best cold stare and took off quick so they'd see that they'd better not mess with me. I knew they were all jealous of my sick bike and awesome new outfit (I decided to show off my new trikini - why save it just for racing?).

On my way home I got passed by a few guys on a bike team going about 25 mph in a "paceline." I don't like getting passed, so I jumped on the back. I stayed in aero to make sure I could exert the least amount of energy possible. We were cruising down 9W - WEEEE! Passing all the bento-box carrying, yellow jersey wearing "roadies." When I had had enough of taking it easy I decided to kick things up a notch and make these guys chase me. I stealthily pulled out from behind without saying a word when the shoulder narrowed. HA! That sure scared them. The guy in front of me called out "Whoah!" I thought roadies were supposed to have good bike handling skills. Staying in aero I powered up to the front and gave the leader my best intimidating stare. I thought I heard him say "Let her go!" to his friends. Usually men can't handle being beaten by a woman, but it seemed like I finally met a few guys who had the egos to admit they were no match for TRIGAL.