Yesterday, I wrote about the easy speed I discovered at the back of a large peloton. Today, I want to describe the easy speed I discovered as the result of hard work.
The end of Sunday’s ride included a 5 km climb. It wasn’t steep, a 5% grade at most, but long. I have climbed this hill many times before. It is on a busy street but it is newly paved with a separate, wide bike lane. It is a steady, continual climb with several intermediary summits.
On Sunday, at the start of the climb, I first noticed that I felt fresh despite having already cycled 45 km. And then, I noticed I was spinning in a higher gear than normal. The three months of single-legged squats, hamstring curls, sit-ups, planks and spinning workouts were paying off. I felt stronger than I ever have on this hill and, I was on the Roberts, the heavier, steel frame bike.
As I neared one of the intermediate summits, I noticed 2 young men, half my age, struggling to turn the pedals over. They were barely moving. As I sped past, I overheard one say to the other, “Did you see that old guy? How does he do it? We need bikes like his.”.
That made my day.
I discovered easy speed of a different kind. The kind that comes from hard work and perseverance. The last kilometre of the climb levels off a little. In the past, I would slow down and take it easy to the top. Not this time. I had energy to spare. Instead, I geared up and raced to the top in record time. Well, at least for me.
I can’t wait to climb this hill on the lighter, full-carbon Garneau.
PedalWORKS 
Being a STEEL rider, I would laugh so hard if your carbon bike was slower on that hill!! It won’t happen, but it would be funny! 😉 LOVED that line about that old guy!
The steel and carbon bikes are comparable on the flats and, steel is certainly more comfortable on long rides. But my carbon bike is half the weight and likes to climb. This weekend I hope to install a compact crankiest on it and that will make a bike difference on long climbs.
Really? Half the weight? That’s amazing. My Waterford sans the bottles and handlebar bag weighs about 20 pounds.
I am exaggerating. But it is considerably lighter. I’ll weigh them after I put the compact cranks on and let you know the difference.
That’s awesome, nothing like finding out your hard work actually paid off! Who knew?
I know now! I wonder what those pushups will do for me? 🙂
I should warn you, pushups will turn you into the type of person who stares at their own arms obsessively.
hmmm … That’s not good. Although, I have noticed 3 months of doing squats has changed my legs and, I keep looking at them in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors at the gym. But don’t tell anyone. 🙂
Doesnt matter how good the chassis is, if the engine sucks. 🙂 Bike not maketh the riders fellas.
So true. Those young fellows need to learn a thing or two. 🙂
That’s the most excellent point of that whole encounter. How sad those kids thought it was the bike. Not surprising, just unfortunate. Great post.
Young people these days …. they just don’t have the stamina 🙂
Giddy up old man. Ride hard!
🙂
I nominated you for the real neat blog award. If you want, you can participate, if not just leave it 🙂
here’s the link: https://backtowhatever.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/real-neat-blog-award/
I’m flattered. Thank you 🙂
I am not familiar with the award but will definitely participate 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂 well it’s easy, you just answer questions, post a link to who nominated you, post a picture of the award, nominate a few others and ask them some questions. And you have to put a link to your post on their blogs and tell them they’re nominated. That’s it, after that you can display the award somewhere on your blog if you want to 🙂
A weekend project 🙂