Cycling with others, is a rewarding experience...irregardless of the effort and/or objective. During a ride, two or more riders offer of themselves to the others benefit. Leading position is defined often, as the person on the point who offers relief to those that trail, but that is not the case for me on this ride. The person on point today offered more than wattage relief.
Without sounding creepy, I admired a bike from behind today.... a Guru. The steel frame was unique in many ways. The sky blue opaque paint, contrasted on a black/red paint wrapped downtube and seattube. The dropouts were only black wrapped with a border stripe of black on all.
Now I spent Saturday marveling over American Motorcycles that inspire one, to worship skulls and chrome. Tassles and power made by interior explosions. They capture the owners imagination, in many cases... and it is art.
But today I could only note the colors, the lines and the clean. Yeah... clean... the bottom of the seat tube, normally a grime grabber from tire slinging every possible road matter. But this bikes finish and condition was pristine. The rider keeps a tight ship. I looked at the freewheel, same... slots to the body, immaculate. Cables, trimmed and looped appropriate lengths. There was not a scratch or blemish in the paint that I could find.
So while the effort, sacrifice and work was appreciated... I could only recall, that after 2 rain soaked rides this week, I was not returning the favor. My time on the point, was less than that of my partners today.
I have resolved this... I only hope they notice.
Without sounding creepy, I admired a bike from behind today.... a Guru. The steel frame was unique in many ways. The sky blue opaque paint, contrasted on a black/red paint wrapped downtube and seattube. The dropouts were only black wrapped with a border stripe of black on all.
Now I spent Saturday marveling over American Motorcycles that inspire one, to worship skulls and chrome. Tassles and power made by interior explosions. They capture the owners imagination, in many cases... and it is art.
But today I could only note the colors, the lines and the clean. Yeah... clean... the bottom of the seat tube, normally a grime grabber from tire slinging every possible road matter. But this bikes finish and condition was pristine. The rider keeps a tight ship. I looked at the freewheel, same... slots to the body, immaculate. Cables, trimmed and looped appropriate lengths. There was not a scratch or blemish in the paint that I could find.
So while the effort, sacrifice and work was appreciated... I could only recall, that after 2 rain soaked rides this week, I was not returning the favor. My time on the point, was less than that of my partners today.
I have resolved this... I only hope they notice.