My 3rd day of the Rapha Festive 500 may have been my best yet.
Not the most miles but most smiles by far.
I rolled out around 7 to Ride’n’Roll on West Bay next to the Pinellas Trail.
I love scoping bikes at races, rides and other events. Like some sort of weather forecast…
You can surmise certain initial impressions about riders and what the day holds.
My verdict? Today would be fast.
The group was big. Mostly comprised of experienced roadies, I felt comfortable in the peloton.
We slowly ambled our way northward towards the route John & I had done the day before.
Speaking of John, he stuck out conspicuously in his hi-viz pHit pills kit.
Speaking of kits, the Ride’n’Roll kits below sure stuck out as well. Their team/club was out in force!
By the time our route reached its northern summit, we were in full on TT mode.
Maybe the hardest I’ll ape it all winter.
Below is the chase group as I fell back in after attempting to reel the ‘leaders’ in.
Luckily, the effort ended with a rest stop and i continued to get acquainted with local racers & riders.
While, at the rest stop and once back on the road. I kept scoping out sweet rides.
Peek these Wiliers!
We had a steady spin back into Largo and I made sure to take my turns a the front.
I swung by the store to grab my favorite recovery drink, chocolate milk!
I can’t deny my brand choice wasn’t influenced by Steven of Boulder Velodrome‘s kit! ; )
He hung on this hammer session fixed, which you know i can appreciate!
My last similar experience was at NAHBS but a brakeless century tops my list of not to be repeated feats.
well, after the ride slowly fragmented and the last few of us rolled back to the shop, I headed home.
I am grateful that my efforts for this contest have largely not been solo. Florida traffic is horrendous.
Most roads around here are three lanes.
Even with a bike lane the paranoia of a 97 year old careening a Cadaillac into my back plagues me.
But when even when on my own, i have a new riding partner.
Peek my new tattoo above by Shakes of Ink & Dagger Tattoo in Atlanta.
Family themed leg sleeve coming soon!
Below are my stats for the day. I made it to spot 23 in the rankings.
Let’s see if I can end in the top 20!
I think pitriceabdlity is an important trait to convey for anyone that rides in traffic. In general I’m quite impressed at how cars and pedestrians observe traffic laws here in So Cal. At least in comparison to other cities that I’ve lived in like Tucson, Annapolis and Boston. Here in LA, if I’m signaling to turn left from the left turn lane, traffic will probably slow to allow me to continue on my way.The behavior of bicyclists, on the other hand, seems to run the gamut from running red lights at busy urban intersections to the consideration that the fixie guy you met displayed. No wonder some motorists are pissed at cyclists. For myself, I’ve stopped doing track stands and the like at lights. The reaction from motorists seeing a track stand appears to be a slight confusion. Meaning cars don’t know if I’m going to run the light or wait for a green signal. I put a foot down to state that I’ve stopped. Just like looking back over a shoulder and signaling suggests I want to move over to the next lane.Yeah. On average, we could do better in our observation traffic laws. Besides, when push comes to shove, we’re gonna loose. Even if we feel we’re right.