Insecurity, lessons learnt and biodegradable soap.

I need to expand on a point I made last week. The comment was :- " ...... on the up-side, rode for the first time with Damian and Frank which was a joy. Cracking pace and very good company"


flash back ....  a few weeks ago Chris, Harvey and I were having a discussion about our relative riding speeds and I was explaining that far from being [Chris's words] "one the better riders and will have no trouble"  the reason I ride at the pace I do is because I am not confident that I will finish the training ride and I cope by belting off and keeping up the best pace I can until I am finished. Insecurity not competence.

Fast forward to last Sunday. Rob has a puncture and during the repair he loses the little tightening nut from his new tube. The cry goes up for a replacement and before I have the chance to think out what the implications would be if I handed mine over then get a puncture myself, without hesitation,  Frank hands his over. 


I had been selfish. 


Rob is my friend and the "what if" should never have crossed my mind. My in-action bothered me and after much soul searching this week I came to the conclusion that my insecurity created a fear of riding without my fully equipped bicycle "bat utility pouch" of spares, tools, lever and tubes (complete with tightening nut). My insecurity had caused me to be tempted to hold onto something I had no immediate need for even when a friend needed it now.


Further down the rode Frank offers Power bars to everyone. Not only is this a demonstration of Franks generosity and spirit but it struck me that most of the other riders, especially returning riders, are more likely to be like Frank and less like me. 


Time for a rethink. I have proven to myself over the last 825 km and 13 training rides that I CAN and DO finish. And Frank has proved that even if I can't there will be someone there to help.


Rest assured Rob, or any other rider, that if you need my help, or tube, or water or tightening nut you will have it without hesitation. If in the event that I then need whatever it is I have given up, I know there will be someone down the road who will give me theirs. Thank you for that valuable lesson Frank. 


This week we had the BIG MEETING. Everyone in the rally gets together to go through logistics of a week on the road. Moving 450 people 660 km over a 6 day period takes a huge amount or organisation that involves not just the riders but teams for road safety, food, wellness, movers ... the list goes on.

I have been scouring the bikerally.org website for months so most of it I had already read but always something useful.


I learnt not to drink 2 bottles of Gatorade without diluting it ( give you the runs apparently ) and that I need  biodegradable soap if I want to wash in the lake ( not an option until you imagine 450 people queuing for a shower ). Disappointingly I got final proof that the vision of 350 muscle bound hunks in Lycra that I had envisioned when I signed up was so far from the truth it isn't funny. I wish I could pin that misconception on Harvey but I invented it all on my own. 


Drum roll ........ the design of the new jersey: 

..... and will you just look ...... it matches my bike and shoes. There is a god and HE IS GAY!


On the subject of gay, very, very gay. Our outfits ( skirts ) for Red Dress day were presented. The idea is that one day we all wear red. This is meant to represent a Red Ribbon stretching down the highway but unsurprisingly this has morphed into an excuse for everyone to wear drag for a day.




Mark has our team, at various points of the week, dressing as cheerleaders, dancing like lady ga-ga, flag dancing and potentially flash mobbing. 


However I am not keen on the Dalmation outfit idea for Disney themed day. You are doing a cracking job Mark and whilst I may "hurumph" occasionally ( okay ... lots ) at the dressing up, I ( and the rest of the team )  appreciate the hard work that you are doing for the Talent and Red Dress days. 

I shall leave you with a picture I took a few weeks ago when there was a fundraiser at a local bar by a few of the younger first year riders. Took courage to be in drag on bike in the middle of the street. 


Off to bed now as tomorrow is Saturday and I have an 8 am ride in the morning - not one of the hilly routes though.


TTFN
David