019: blog post no one will read

So last week I took Diane out to her first group ride since her injury. It’s usually a pretty big group of masters dudes on bikes. The group is generally a very diverse crowd and draws a big group. In these parts it’s probably be called a “b” ride. The key factor is that there are lots places to hide from the wind.

Still Diane was pretty nervous about getting in the group. I assured her it would be fine and the group would be huge.

We rolled out of our house, rode 30 minutes or so and met the group. The group was much smaller than normal, may be 10-15 guys. It was a little faster too than in the previous weeks when I had met up with them. I encouraged Diane to get into the pack, and not hang off the back. Diane cautiously worked her way up through the group eventually settling in around 3rd wheel. I rode behind cautiously keeping an eye on her.

I began talking with some guys I knew from the ride. I told one fellow I was there with Diane, and she was coming back from an injury. I commented that I wanted to keep an eye on her in case she got in trouble.

The dude asks, “ is that your girl up there in the front?”

I replied, “ yup, that’s her.”

We crested a hill, Diane was out of her saddle and climbing at near the front of the group as it strung out on the hill. She was hurting, but made it over the climb at the front.

My buddy says to me, “ man, your little girl is doing great, she’s really hanging in there…”

Wait a minute, “ did he just say little girl!?”

I nearly crashed my bike laughing as I realized he thought Diane was my daughter and not my wife.

Diane and I dropped off the ride a few minutes later as it swung near house. She was smiling like a Cheshire cat and laughed out loud when I shared the above story. Diane was tired, but totally stoked about the ride. We’ll be back next week, and maybe try to hang on a little bit longer. Gotta convince Diane to not try and take pulls at the front yet… baby steps…

Have a great weekend.

respect
fatmarc