"On your left"

“On your left” is meant to be a notification, a warning, to those on the trail that someone is passing on the left. The passer could be running, walking, cycling, etc. This helps to not startle those on the path that are moving at a different speed than the passer. These are words I don’t hear often on the trail. Not because I am super fast or such a great cyclist that I pass everyone and no one passes me.

I will admit that I don’t hear the phrase very often but when I do, I take notice of those passing me. I expect to see a super fit cyclist wearing a team kit and riding a ultralight bike with some aero wheels. This has not been the norm on the trail when I get passed. I usually see someone with an electric bike. Someone that is riding that doesn’t look like they’ve been riding much at all. It takes me a moment to process this and I try to push down the competitive juices of trying to track them down.

I read a recent article that electric bike popularity is starting to grow. I need to get on board and not be judgmental about those riding the electric bikes. The bike snob in me wants to say it’s not really bike riding. Their Strava times should not count, at least not in the regular cycling category. At the Sea Otter Classic this year, there was a category for electric mountain bikes. I think that’s cool. “Keep ‘em separated” - can you hear the music playing…. This helps me to know that people are paying attention.

Maybe I should just get an electric bike...maybe not. I like being the engine. My goal is to not judge and just be happy for those getting out on their bikes. After all, isn’t that’s what it’s all about. Get out. Do something. I’ll figure out a way to get faster and be able to call out “on your left” to the electric cyclists.

Revenge of the Sixth! The Day After Cinco de Mayo.

This last week, the weather on the ride in to work and back home has been grea - mid 60s in the morning and mid 80s in the evening. Great weather. Not today. Checking the weather last night I noticed the temp would be mid 40s at 7 AM so no early morning ride today. I waited till after 9 but still it was only mid 50s with a cold wind. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining at all. This is better than cold and wet any day. I will admit that I did sit on my bike in the driveway, ready to go, contemplating just staying in the garage and rolling Zwift style for a couple hours. All I had to do was think of all those days in Oregon where I wished I could get outside - so I pushed off.

I love the ride around Lake Natoma. The trail, the flowers, trees, animals, river, etc. I was great to see all the boats in the water for a crew competition. That looked hard today as the wind was playing against them. I thought a lot about Craig today. He's got 5 weeks left - one hand counting. This is worse than Christmas. What I thought about is how much he's changed and how much I've stayed the same. His growth spiritually has been tremendous. His growth as a young man will be equal. And this is all I can see from e-mail. I am sure it will be much better in person. I remember that thought with Cassie. I continue to be impressed with my daughter. I love talking with her and seeing how her perspective and thoughts are growing, evolving, taking root. I am excited to see how Craig does when he's been home. I love my kids.

The ride back was a bit more challenging - up hill and into the wind. Yet, I still managed quite a few PRs on today's ride. That was a bit unexpected. I felt good but not that good. Maybe all that rice, beans, chips, salsa, and fajitas really powered the engine today, giving it an extra boost up the hills.