Saturday night, under the oaks and the stars, listening to a jazz trio play a little out in front of themselves, I made a wise decision. I bailed on the Dogboy. Hours prior, I committed to a ride so laughably punishing that releasing myself from the commitment made me giddy. Rain was in the forecast, and a tour to Georgia by clay roads sounded not possible or fun. I took a text-message based tongue-lashing, which is a breeze compared to a phone call, and returned for a cold Sweetwater 420 Ale and holding my sweet wife's hand.
In order to take the sting from my shame I scrambled to put together a ride with Taco and another buddy. We can call him Scarab- the prototype water bug, or we can call him "Nipples" since he detoured on the ride to address a raw nipple situation.
When someone is riding so much that they need nipple protection, you might wish you were halfway to Georgia with a drive train packed in mud. We turned it on, we crushed through mud and greasy roots, and I collected ticks like beanie babies. Taco worked for a half-wheel edge just enough to keep us grinding for 3 steady hours.
Okay, it was only 2.5 hours, and sometimes we rode friendly, but the part about the ticks is true.
It was the first ride on the new ride, but I need more time to tell you that story, which is equal parts sad and joyous.
-Juancho
9 comments:
Collected ticks like Beanie Babies? Ha!
I love your writing. Always.
Skipping the Boston loop in the rain was a wise move. It would have worn off all the new car smell from your brand new bike.
-otersen
And probably dissolved it into a wet sweater.
Which one of those in the picture is Dogboy?
My sincerest apology for the unkind lashing! The mud and clay of south Georgia combined with those Nevagals delivered the perfect karmic answer to my vitriol. I hope you will forgive me.
-DogBoy
Skipping epics and admitting to exaggerating your ride report... hmm.
Welcome to middle-age. Good to have you on board!
(P.S.- The words that Blogger wants me to type to prove I'm not a robot are, and I kid you not, "26 ingnch.")
That ride was epic in all the wrong ways. The ride I did was way tougher!
I am glad you are not riding as feverishly as you once were. If you get slower and shelled by your friends, look over your shoulder and wait on me. I need someone to ride with that doesn't steal my will to live.
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