The Angry Man's Ride

Dear Reader,

We all know the ride. The one where you show up to the parking lot and look around. You know that not everyone here will be returning with the group. We all know the guy. You know the guy, the guy who shows up for this ride, and doesn't give a shit about you, or your program, or what races you are doing this year.. All he wants to do is to drop you. That's his goal. Now maybe he's a racer and very accomplished, or maybe he's the guy who races the ride every week so when he drops you, you knows he's winning the races. The quintessential angry man's ride.

I admit, there's a need for the Angry Man's ride. For close to 20 years I have been showing up and trying to claw my way through the ranks of the various tough guy rides in our area. I'll admit, I have gotten stronger clawing my way through these ranks. And every so often, I can even find myself in lead group of one of these rides. Those days are few and far between, and certainly not last weekend.

I'll also admit that I think the angry man rides are fucking stupid. If these are your friends, and you like to ride bikes with your friends- why would you attack when they have a mechanical? Yeah, I watched this happen last weekend. While these rides aren't races, why ride it like it is? If you want to race, pay your $30 and pin on the number.  I'll admit, the only time I really enjoy these rides is when I use it like a two dollar whore, and get the work I want and bail out, or frankly refuse to take a pull while stronger riders sit in waiting for the hills. You just  have to know what you are getting yourself into...

Win the ride. Be the first back to the parking lot. Make the front group. Be the man.

 Sometimes I avoid these rides because they become dangerous as people blow through stop signs to stay with the group, or maybe gain an advantage.

I usually come home pissed off as a bunch of good guys, and sane people do stupid stuff, all to win the ride.
I personally find it frustrating when the strongest guys are sitting in the back waiting for the hills to attack you, and you know give you the Lance Armstrong look back. When if everyone worked then the entire ride would be faster, and even harder. There's really a mob mentality to the angry man ride.

Every town has an angry man's ride, everyone has it's own cast, it's own characters. Not saying I love these rides, but I do recognize why they happen, and that frankly there's probably a need.  I'm also sure I'll be doing a few more this year...

I always wonder what it says about your place in the community when and if and folks stop for you on the angry man ride. I have usually prided myself in being a shepherd in these cases,  helping folks get back to the group. I'll also admit I was so in over my head last week, that when a number of us let the folks at the front knew that one of their regulars had a mechanical early in the ride and they stood and attacked, well I bit my lip and thought to myself, "I guess they're leaving him for dead."

I'll also admit, I have my short list of folks that have jammed me so badly over the years, that I wouldn't offer them my tube, a tool, a hand, a wheel, or a phone. Live by the sword, die by the sword motherfucker. Yeah, I'm not bitter.

On the other hand, I'm sure I've pissed off more than a few with my smack talk on these rides. As my friend said last weekend, "it was good to have some color on this ride." which I think was a compliment. That said with about 10 miles to go, and just about catching the lead group (they missed a light), I cramped up as badly as I ever had on any ride, much less an angry man's ride. A little frustrating, as the toughest sections where behind us at this point.

"Vanderbacon is off, Fuck that rat bastard loud mouth, leave him for dead."  I can imagine someone saying for sure.

 I was pretty stoked to have local strong man Mike K sit up and make sure I made it back into town, even after I told him that I was fine, just cramping... Mike is a class act and perhaps it made my day, that he did sit up for me in those last 10 miles... I owe you a beer Mike. See there is some love on the weekend Angry ride.

Maybe my issue is that I do value good training partners, I do value community, and at the core of the Angry Man Ride, isn't about community, it's about how many people can you drop.

So I'll wrap up this meandering blog post, not really condemning, or celebrating the local angry man's ride. Just recognizing some thoughts that ran through my oxygen debted brain on last weekend's angry man ride.

I'll be back out in a couple of weeks for sure. For the record, I think I got 7th on the ride last weekend.

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

If Godzilla Shook Hands

Dear Reader,

So about six weeks ago or so, I started trying to ride a bike again with some frequency and consistency. While mentally the weather was beating me down, my pants were fitting much tighter than normal and if I knew didn’t do something I’d be in the Clydesdales class in no time. So I started the search for my legs on the roads, and trails of our town. That very first week, my very first mtb ride outside was through Rittenhouse park with Shane and Jeffy.

 Not the most thought out plan ever. I was well in over my head. It wasn’t too long before I was over my bars too.  That very first week, I hurt my hand, and frankly, it’s been a nagging injury since. Pretty much every time I’ve been on the bike, I get a shoot pain through it.

Last week was the first time since Shane and Jeffy launched me over my bars, that I could remember riding and not having my hand hurt.  I was pretty stoked. Fast Forward to Saturday afternoon: we were in the bike shop seeing some friends and talking some smack. A dude that I used to  ride with a bunch, but hadn’t seen for a while  came in and shook my hand. Only, it wasn’t really like shaking hands with a man, but with godzilla. I get the firm hand shake thing, but this dude crushed my hand. 

After the initially shake, I could feel him squeezing tighter and tighter. It took everything I had in my small suitcase of courage to not just rip my hand back. Hell, we might as well just have had an arm wrestling match.  I swear I heard my hand crack…  it really, really hurt. Instantly, my hand was back to day one where you know Jeffy and Shane threw me over my handlebars.  So needless to say, I’m stoked that I’m having a tough time hanging on to my bars again, and well you know typing, or doing anything with my hand. Guys, it’s 2013, I respect the firm handshake, but can we put an end into the “let’s see how hard we can squeeze “ shake? Either that or lets just decide to punch each other or wrestle when we great each other. "great to see you again! insert single leg takedown"

.

I had my final last night. It went pretty well I think. This was the hardest class I have taken thus far in grad school. It pushed me out of my wheelhouse a bit, and I kinda dug it. The final was tricky, and really hard. I'm hoping for a good grade, but I also feel good just getting through that thing... 3 hours... I am offically, assuming that I didn't totally blow the test, half way through school. One more year... One more year....

thanks for reading.

respect

Vanderbacon

A little Banff Inspiration and the Peoples Angry Man's Ride

Dear Reader,

Friday night, Diane and I had the chance to go to the Banff Film Festival at Emaculata College. We have gone for the past few years, and frankly each year has been excellent. For me I guess the best thing is kinda what Dave, the owner of PRG and the sponsor of the event said, "I still remember my first Banff festival 17 years ago. It just inspired me so much that the next day I wanted to drive my car south for a few hours, and go climb my ass off the next day..."

I have to admit that while I'm not a rock climber, or into  kayaking or a skiing, or a guy trying to drive a snowmobile to Moscow, watching these films impacts me the same way. I am a cyclist, it's my craft. It's what I love to do.  It's one of those things that is a part of who I am. And this weekend, I was especially inspired.

If you have a moment this was probably my favorite film of the weekend: (8 minutes)




here's the trailer for the festival:




There was another rad film about Bill Cooper and these British Climbing kids.

So needless to say, I was totally stoked to ride this weekend. While the conditions were tough, colder and windier than predicted, and I'm pretty much over winter at this point- the conditions kind motivated me even more to ride hard this weekend and to push myself.

I had a ton of fun, and while now exhausted and ready to jump back into my studying for tomorrow's Final  Exsm(IT 608). I do it with a smile on my face, and sore tired legs.

I probably should also add that I might have or might not  have yelled at a bunch of riders on the peoples ride today, when after a small group of us pulled into the headwind, a couple of gentlemen who never stuck their noses in the wind, started to attack in the tailwind. Perhaps I called someone a "motherfcker" and something to the lines of "if you're gonna attack the guys that drug your asses through the headwind now, I'm gonna.. I'm gonna.." I might have said "punch you in the dick..."

But I was pretty tired after  you know after pulling into the headwind for 10 miles. What I forgot was that peoples is an angry man's ride, and all that goes with that. I apologize if my anger and or language caught anyone of guard. I was really hungry, and after two weeks of the same thing happening, I must be the dumbest person racing the Peoples ride. I hope my language didn't offend anyone. Besides, I'll be back for some more of that People Plaza love next week!

At the end of the day,  after a beer and some food, it all seems pretty silly. It was really a good ride, and I'm pleased with the work I could do, and got in. It was an inspired weekend for me.

thanks for reading.

best to you,
faticus
fatmarc
vanderbacon
that rat bastard vettori

Failure to Launch

Dear Readers,

Today is going to be a super busy day. I knew that my only chance to ride and get my planned efforts in was to do it before work. When the alarm went off, I didn't really want to get out of bed. It was warm, and the dogs were out cold. That said, with the weight of the knowledge that I have ridden less this February, than any February in the last 8 years... I kitted up and hit the trainer.

This is where it kinda goes sideways.

I jump on the trainer and notice I can't  make the wheel turn. I play with the tension in the back, jump back on the bike. Still no deal. I follow the same routine like five times. Still no good. I figure no big, trainer is breaking, it's a few years old, surprised it's dying so soon, but what the hell. I head for the rollers, only to notice that my brake is rubbing. The trainer wheel does that if you don't open the brake.
I didn't open the brake.

Exasperated, I jump back on the bike and start warming up. I look down to see that my GPS isn't picking up my HR. I press buttons, I press the transmitter strap against my chest thinking that if I can get a little sweat on it, maybe it will start to pick up. No dice. Then I realize. It's not my GPS, it's Diane's. Shit.

Grab my GPS, and start off again. Finish up my warm up. Ipod jamming, start first effort, and just when I get to the point where my eyes roll back into my head, and I start drooling, the dogs in an avalanche of Labrador awesomeness come wrestling into the room, slamming into me and almost knock me off the bike.

It was at this point, I almost went back to bed.

But, I finish the effort,  and then start one more when, for no good reason my Ipod just stops. I pull it out of my jersey pocket, and it's locked up. Shaking my head, I start to whip it across the kitchen, when Diane comes around the corner and says, "good morning, want some coffee?"

"yes, yes I do" I replied as I finished my last pedal strokes and jumped off the trainer for the last time today...

lets hope the rest of the day goes a little smoother...

thanks for reading...

respect
fatmarc

More Tales of Winter Riding: Feeling like a Vampire.

Dear Reader,

For me there are few things I enjoy as much as riding a bike outdoors. Fewer things that I do with some regularity that I like less than riding a bike indoors. Years ago, I was directing the Wooden Wheels team, and I would send out weekly motivational emails and other awesome spam. Generally, about this time of year, I'd pen an email about hating riding the trainers, and getting sick of riding at night- feeling like a vampire. It was all part of the cycle. Mike Kirk pointed out one year, that I sent that similar note this time of the year each year. Ah, winter as a cyclist...

Watching Races Helps Pass the time riding in the kitchen.

I'll be honest, the past two years, the weather has been so mild and awesome in winter, that I don't recall feeling that winter blues at all. Unlike many years where I felt like a slave to the trainer/rollers, I was stoked to be outside riding.

We have had a true winter this year. I'll admit, the dark, cold and wet has started to wear on me. Monkey totally cracked this week. It's been a grumpy week. The good news is that a little sun, and a little time outside cures all. Day Light Savings time will be here in 13 days. As a mid pack masters rider, getting out after work usually means riding at 6 for Monk and I. The next few weeks will be tough, but worth it when the winter finally wraps up and the warm spring is here..

Trainer Face- If any of my Lees McRae friend have an extra hat laying around, Potter may have gotten to my current hat. This hat is one of my favorites.

This weekend we had rain all day Saturday, and better conditions Sunday, windy, but at least we could get out... It was amazing...

You never know what you'll find when you ride outside...

Saturday, I debated and pouted and at the end of the day decided to ride indoors.
I hate the trainer, but I hate feeling like shit on the bike worse...

Monkey's been killing it on the rollers.

Sunday, I got out on Blair's Peoples Ride. Blair has re-started a big group ride out of People's Plaza on Sundays. The large group ends up splitting into 2 groups, a 50 miler and a 65 miler. The rides have been super solid February rides. It's good stuff...

This is Matt. He's one of the strongest riders in our community. He has a reputation for blowing up a group ride or a 1000 in our area. Good Guy, you know aside from making a habit of destroying group rides. I note this because when Matt flatted today, Travis, Dennisbike, and I went back to help pace Matt back to group. I note this because now Matt owes us a day where he shows up to blow up a group ride, and he has to behave himself. It's the rules.

This is Charlie. When I was totally cracked and blown, Charlie drove me home today. Thanks man. Saved my bacon for sures...

thanks for reading.

best to you.

respect
fatmarc

Never Get Tired of This...

have a great weekend.

respect
fatmarc

SUPER DUPER AWESOME

Okay, perhaps that was an exaggeration. Weekend was super busy. The MACquet was last weekend and Monk and I were working hard to help pull things together. The MACquet was at DeerPark this year, and L-Webb had worked hard to get that all set up. I'll do another post on that later. Here, I want to talk about riding. What is best in life? I can't answer everything, but certainly riding a bike well, or how I want to has to be one of those things that is best in life.

Saturday Buddy and I went to down to Elk Neck. As usuall when the trails are too wet in the center of the universe (also known as Newark), they are pretty beautiful there. It ended up being the hardest 8 mile slugfest with Buddy Briggs ever. While conditions weren't wet, the roots were slick, and just as I am starting to develop my touch, well I had a few encounters with wet roots that left me on my ass. That, and the conditions were such that I never found a rhythm, and I felt pretty much on the rivet the entire ride. While the ride time/distance where shorter than normal, if you have ridden Elk Neck, know how tight it is there, and trail system. I pretty pleased with the ride. I think we were both destroyed afterwards.

it was a good old fashioned fatmarc and Buddy the leg breaker ride where we tried to kill each other the entire ride. 

Good stuff.

Sunday was the MAC BOARD ride with Buddy, Auer, Breylala, LWeb, Kelly, Diane and I. Anne Rock went for a run. We got our really early as the MAC festivities would take most of the day and trails were rock solid at 8am. Thank goodness it  rolled well today, you know except for all the awesome ruts at white clay, because after Saturday, I needed the bike to roll a bit. It did and it was awesome.

I'll do a MACquet post later, but thanks to everyone who came. The event really seemed like a success, and we are excited with how the series is growing in 2013.

Just hoping for a more peaceful week this week...

respect
fm

Ping Pong- still an Olympic Sport

Not that I am bitter or anything...

And yes, Monk and I are horrible at ping pong.
respect
fatmarc

Just Another Sunday in the Woods

We had been out for just over two hours. A large group comprised of most of the guys I have been chasing around these trails for the better part of 20 years. Todd put up a brisk pace, with a loop not shying away from climbs. It was starting to get late. The group was breaking up a bit as there were beers to drink, and kids to pick up. A few us wanted to try and squeeze a couple more miles out of this fantastic morning that was quickly wrapping up as the once frozen trails began to show signs of thawing.

Buddy rolled to the front of the group, turned back coyly smiling as he said, “ I can’t be trusted on the front…” And with that Buddy charged up the trail lovingly called “UpChuck”. On his single speed, Buddy showed us all how he earned the nickname, “Buddy the Leg Breaker”.  I jumped on Biddle’s wheel.  We may have entertained thoughts of bridging that gap, but our apprehension got the best of us- Buddy was gone.  Biddle is one of the best trail riders you could hope to follow. Want to know the best line? Follow him, it will make you a better bike handler- trust me.  We crossed Tawes Drive and up one more little steep pitch to find Buddy waiting for us.  We were all pretty much out of breath and smiling…   A quick re- group and  the last standing of our group were off again charging back towards the parking lot, our cars, our homes…

I haven’t felt particularly good on the bike so far in 2013. Suffering through a fire-road ride Saturday, I began ponder if it wasn’t time to find another passion, and that maybe, just maybe this was the year to take up bowling.  That said,  for a few fleeting moments Sunday -maybe five to seven minutes, it was there. I felt like I could stay with the group, and not hide behind deception and guile.  I felt like I could make the bike do what I want, turn where I want…  In the end, it was just a hint,  just a sniff of where I want to be, but it was enough.  Sometimes just a glimpse is enough to keep us going… I was stoked- and shattered-  for the rest of the day. Perfect.

respect
fatmarc

It's just a corner...

Dear Readers,

I rolled down the snow covered trail charged with a fire in my belly and stoke in my heart after watching the Louisville Worlds. The fresh snow covered trails had seen many riders before I got there. In fact, charging into the big left hand sweeper, I could see the tracks where previous riders had come in too hot, and slid off the trail. I quickly realized that I was coming in too hot, and in danger of sliding off the trail and into the briers and brush. I entered the corner and felt the bike start to slide slightly. Instinctively  I unclipped my left foot and threw it out as a counter balance. At the apex of the corner, left leg flying out to the side, I felt my back wheel sliding out from underneath me. Gently touching the brake for just an instant, I feel the bike come back under control.  I straightened out the bike, clipping my left foot back into my pedal and in seemingly perfect timing I stand up to accelerate as I exit the corner. I sped away with a smile on my face, and the feeling of a small victory. I like to slide the bike, push the edge, only to bring it back. Snow rides, and proper conditions offer the rare opportunity to play on the bike like this, to see what I can do...It was a really fun ride, and this was just one corner. Just one corner...


back to the books...

respect
Vanderbacon