Thanks for reading the newsletter. The goal here is to share knowledge and tell a story or two. Here we go!

Getting Uncomfortable

If you’ve ever ridden a bike for more than an hour or two you know things can get uncomfortable and not so fun. Perhaps that’s what makes cycling attractive to many people. You get into situations and you have to get out, there is no other way so you just do it and the sense of accomplishment stays with you for a long time. Maybe it’s the saddle that hurts your butt or your legs are burning from a long steep climb and when you crest the peak you feel the gravity pull you over the top and you get the feeling of acceleration and relief until the next climb.

Setting Goals

I set a lofty goal earlier this year. The Tran San Gabriel 2023 was a race in the Angeles National Forest held this past weekend. I heard about it in June of 2022 and thought that would be a great adventure. 220+ miles and 25,000+ of climbing, nice, let’s do it. Well, mother nature had other plans which I will get to. 117 people were signed up. At the start on Saturday I didn’t see nearly that many. The weather forecast called for rain and cold temperatures up in the mountains. Maybe it was the weather that spooked so many, or the route itself. I took off around 8:15am and was ahead of the rain until about 1:00pm. I got drenched. Rain gear was defeated, it was pouring. I had to stop and call for a ride home. The results for the race are in and 8 people out of 54 starters completed it. That’s a huge attrition rate and I have to give the biggest of high 5’s to the people that made it all the way, incredible.

Doing Nothing

In life situations occur that push you to your limits and reactions can either make it worse or make it better. A recent encounter at the shop involved an older customer that is notoriously cranky and is never satisfied. His bike is worn out and has been ridden thousands of miles. He called in an wanted to yell about why his bike wasn’t finished. No amount of explaining how there is a queue of bikes to work on would satisfy him. He wanted to be first in line no matter what. Skipping ahead pushes every else back and that’s simply not fair. So I didn’t give in and react to his tirade, I did nothing. This was the best thing to do in the moment. Once his bike was repaired and he picked it up he went off for about 15 minutes and complained about everything from the price to the level of service he received. I wanted to throw him out the front door, but didn’t do it. Not sure what drives him, is it entitlement? His age? Mental acuity on the decline? We’ll see him again for one more service he needs and then, hopefully, he chooses another shop to work on his dilapidated bike. Maybe I should offer him a new bike at full price? No discount for you!!!

Thanks for reading. Go ride your bike and check in next week for more thoughts on bikes. Remember, doing nothing is best, sometimes!

Peace,
Paul