Dear Readers, Managed to squeeze in a quick trip around the skatepark this morning when it was clear our ride was gonna be washed out. So excited to have learned no complies again... they are such a weird little thing, but so much fun, I could do them all day...
I also left a little skin at the park for the first time. I find that when I start off with "I need to carry more speed" things go badly for me... Merely a flesh would. Looking forward to getting back on the bike again tomorrow, the skateboarding itch scratched for another few weeks... Those new wheels are so fast... thanks for reading. respect fatmarc
Last fall most of the world watched in awe, as Peter Sagan attacked the end of the race, using a Super Tuck to elude the pack and finish as the world champion.
Super Tuck displayed
It was amazing to watch. It was awesome. Peter Sagan, arguably the world's best bike handler, uses the Super Tuck to win the worlds. I've probably watched that finish 10 times.
I have to admit, I know the tactic worked, and as the world's best bike handler Sagan was never in jeopardy of crashing. BUT... Super Tuck doesn't look cool. It just doesn't. No way, no how.
But you know Sagan is really cool.
I mean a make Grease musical video with your girlfriend cool kinda cool.
Never mind- Sagan made super tuck look cool.
Dear readers, I hate to break this to you:
You are not that cool. You are not Peter Sagan.
Since Sagan's incredible run at worlds, I have witnessed 100% more Super Tuck. Super Tuck on the local club rides. Super Tuck at the Hell of Hunterdon, Super Tuck at Lu Lacka Wyco, Super Tuck on Mountain Bike Rides, Super Tuck riding to the packie store- Super Tuck everywhere...
Up to this point, I kinda just thought it was dangerous, and a little silly, maybe a little funny.
Last weekend I watched a guy go into Super Tuck, hit a bump in the road and go down at about 30 miles per hour. In the process, he almost took out Monk, as his Super Tuck quickly evolved into Super Thunderball. I count myself more lucky than skilled as I was 5 ft off his back wheel when he started tumbling. I narrowly avoided being taken down myself.
Thankfully, our super tucker never lost consciousness, and it didn't appear that other then hitting the ground at 30 miles per hour and getting banged up from that, he was going to be okay. We stopped briefly and he seemed to be okay, and well attended to.
While Mr. Super Tuck was actually pretty lucky, he might not agree with me on this, but it could have been much worse. he could have landed on his head, he could have taken down 10+ people really easily.
So friends, the next time you find yourself charging down a hill, and you think that you should throw down a mean Super Tuck please think of me, and think of these words:
You are not Peter Sagan. You are not arguably the best bike handler in the world. You are not racing to win the Richmond Road World Championships
Don't do the Super Tuck.
Super Tuck - Just Don't Do It.
This Public Service Announcement brought you by Tom Boonen's scarf.
It's Sunday evening. We did the half Lu Lacka Wyco, which was a beautiful ride. It's impossible to not see the love and personal stamp on the event that Pat puts into every detail. Thank you to you and your team Pat! Cheers!
The Master of Ceremonies Pat!
Claire ran a tight ship at the rest stop! Outstanding team!
The course itself was brutal. I'm happy that we only got 57 miles today.
This was by far the gnarliest of the gravel fondo/roubaix rides we have done.
It was amazing. I am destroyed.
Thanks to wonderful group of folks I had the privileged to ride with today: Mark Weaver, Anne, Gus , and Monkey. I am exhausted, but smiling ear to ear as I type this....
our group for the day: Mark, Anne, Gus Monkey and Fatme!
First section of off-road...
Photo Blog Stars Now:
Shane, my friend always looking for another adventure involving suffering- he did the 100!
Sharon, BK and Sam sit in with me while we listen to the pre-ride announcements...
Just a few folks out for the ride...
Sam, Shane- and Birner who totally pinched my butttoday. I'm not complaining, just sharing the story.
I put the geek in Domestique!
Here I protect team leader Gus through a tricky section of pave!
Weaver!!!
Weaver!!! sad trombone as sadly Mark's day was cut short..
All In!
Monk and Anne lead the group up the fire road hill I would call the FUDGIE THE WHALE!
Our destiny lays before us....
this was long and a steep pitch...
An over the shoulder shot of Anne and Gus...
the Mail box was a good reminder for me to eat some blocks in our final push...
Gus sometimes likes to be call el pistoero!
We watched the sun rise from the road this morning!
Following the Hell of Hunterdon, I headed out to one of the local skateparks for a little recovery carve. Glasgow skatepark is an amazing place, but not my normal go to park. Glasgow has two concrete circles, which basically allow me to figure out some curb style tricks. Heck I did some no complies which fall into the category of super-fun-tricks-I figured-I'd-never-learn again.
Not smooth.. But they feel so fun... I was stoked.
After my hour or so was up, I was ready to wrap up the session with one last big carve around the entire park. I ran and jumped on my board and will a full head of steam headed into the park. As I flew towards the stair/bank ramp feature, I had a horrible thought-
I can't remember where the ramp is and where the stairs are. I am going full speed towards them. I'm going to die.
Just as I made the top edge, I did the reasonable thing, I bailed at full speed.
I leaped into the air, let out a horrifying scream, and just started flailing in the air.
Thankfully, although not gracefully, I landed on my feet and was able to run it out with out dying.
I pat myself down, making sure I'm totally intact, that I'm not hurt,and in fact I'm fine. "did that just happen?" I ask myself.
Diane, who was along for the trip calmly asks me, "what was the first rule of you skateboarding again?"
I respond, "don't get hurt."
Diane more tersely continues, "what the hell was that?"
"I forgot where the stairs were." I responded sheepishly.
I know cats have nine lives. If I was a cat, I might have just spent a couple of them.
I collected my skateboard, and walked out of the park putting my arm around my lovely wife, "so, you want to get a cup of coffee?"
