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Hey there Team Marty's. Share your cycling experiences here! Tell us stories about rides, races, tours, etc. Go ahead... it'll be fun!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

The Joy of Being Dropped

A mountain bike ride seemed like a good way to start of Thanksgiving Day. And so like so many others, I loaded up the bike and headed for the "Earn the Turkey" Mountain Bike Ride. I knew it was an intermediate ride, and I was concerned about being able to keep up. Life had conspired to keep me off the bike for a couple of months, and I was worried about keeping up. And Biker Bill said, "So what. It's Lewis Morris Park, and you know your way around." As usual, Bill was right. I would have ditched a ride for fear of getting dropped, and that is not the way to getting better and stronger.

So out I went to the ride, and I got dropped. I just was not strong enough today. But it was okay. Once I accepted it, I had a nice pleasant ride through the woods. And I was able to take a shortcut back and position myself to get some good rider photos as they exited the woods. Any fear I had of ridicule that I had for getting dropped was soon dispelled. As it turns out, everyone respects you for coming out and making a good try of it. And had I stayed home I would have missed a good ride and good post ride camaraderie.

I do not think I will fear getting dropped again, as long as I am familiar with the area. I know that I can expect if I get in on a ride that is over my head, but that is the start of getting better.