One Year With Spartacus, My Road Bike – Thank You

[acc]

One year ago I bought my first road bike, named him Spartacus, climbed onto his saddle and promptly fell over in my driveway. That day he and I went on a very shaky five-mile ride into Falls Church and back to Vienna on the W&O Trail. By the time I got home I was covered in sweat and my legs felt as wobbly as a child’s Slinky toy. But somewhere on that ride I had the briefest moment when I felt like I was flying. That evening all I could think about was how great it felt and how much I wanted to fly again.

I started riding whenever I could. I rode in 90+ degree weather, I rode when it was below freezing. I remember the first time I rode twenty miles. I was as excited as the day I graduated from high school. But there were awful days too. The first time I rode with a group I was dropped, got lost, and fell off Spartacus when a minivan startled me. I limped back to Wakefield bloody and humiliated. That was the only time I cried.

I survived bouncing off the side of a car in October, an idiot driver failed to stop when I was in the crosswalk. I walked away from a bad crash New Year’s Eve and did not sleep through the night for several weeks because my back and shoulder hurt so much. But I refused to quit. I slowly became faster and stronger, I went on a fifty-mile ride this spring and barely noticed, then went for sixty-eight just for the hell of it.

In January I found this forum and through it found friends and support, people who generously give their time and expertise about all things bike. I am forever grateful for your kindness, humor, and support. It has made all the difference. Thank you.

On Saturday I think I’ll ride out of the Vienna Community Center and stop at Carolina Brothers on my way back from Purcellville. If you have time, you’re welcome to join me. Otherwise I’ll buy the first pitchers the next time we have another Happy Hour. Again, as I think about the last year, I can’t thank you enough.

Happy trails,

ann

Topic

[Joe Chapline]

Thank you, Senior Member ACC, for your great contribution to the forum.

[StopMeansStop]

Totallly awesome!

[CCrew]

Only a year? I thought you were an old hat at this!

Congrats!! Can’t say I’ll be there as we’re looking at doing the Torrey Brown/Heritage trail out of Baltimore in the morning, but will keep it in mind. After all, you’re buying @ Carolina Brothers What time were you thinking of starting?

[eminva]

Congratulations, Ann! What a great story! Thank you for all your great contributions. I am envious of all your group rides; I have never done that as I am a pretty one dimensional commuter cyclist.

Would join you tomorrow, but this week is making me bonk. If you do it again in the fall or sometime with cooler weather, I would love to join you. I have been to Leesburg, but not Purcellville so that is on the to do list.

So, when are you going to do the century? 😮

[acc]

In a hazy moment I signed up for the 100 on the Back Roads Century Ride, Sept 18th

I’d like to start around 8:00 and get out there pretty quick with the idea of taking my time coming back after I eat half a hog.

I’ll do the Purcellville run again within a month. I like the ride, it’s fun, no stress.

ann

[KLizotte]

Happy anniversary to you and Spartacus! Many best wishes for a long and happy life together

Much blessed to have made your acquaintance.

Kathy

[acc]

I hope by next year I can get closer to going as fast as he wants to go. And thank you for your friendship.
ann

[Jsnyd]

Congrats Ann, awesome post! Inspiring! Wish I could join you. I’m up for a ride in the future. I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep up, plus the wife is out of town this weekend and I’m stuck babysitting :p

[CCrew]

@acc 5506 wrote:

In a hazy moment I signed up for the 100 on the Back Roads Century Ride, Sept 18th

I’d like to start around 8:00 and get out there pretty quick with the idea of taking my time coming back after I eat half a hog.

I’ll do the Purcellville run again within a month. I like the ride, it’s fun, no stress.

Congrats on the 100. Been waiting to see the course for this year, supposedly the 65 and 100 last year they threw a lot of those infamous “rolling hills” in. Course will decide which we’ll go for. I’m only 8 miles from Berryville – I know those rollers all too well.

Most likely won’t make tomorrow, we’re pretty set on the trip north. Doing this:
http://www.traillink.com/trail/torrey-c-brown-rail-trail-(formerly-north-central-or-northern-central).aspx

Which then ties to this:
http://www.traillink.com/trail/heritage-rail-trail-county-park.aspx

Should give us 80+ for the day.

[eminva]

Last year, I did the 29 mile version of the Back Roads Century. My one and only cycling event so far. I was a little worried about the hills (the only reason I didn’t do a longer distance). Most of it was okay, and I felt like I would have been fine with a longer distance, but I remember one tough hill. Otherwise it was fun and scenic. You should be well prepared and if the weather is nice, have a great day.

And the food! I was coming from a running background so I was really astonished that people stopped and ate in the middle of the event! And real food, not just orange wedges and gatorade.

I might do it this year, but not the full 100. It’s right after I return from vacation and experience tells me I might need a couple of weeks to recover from the overeating and lack of exercise.

Liz

[acc]

Oddly enough, long rides remind me of working long shifts in the hospital. We did not get many breaks, stood almost the entire time, ran up and down the hallways, etc. But with the bike the only blood is my own and I have the option of stopping, something I could not do in the middle of a shift.

CCrew, am I mistaken or did I detect fear of the route preventing you from signing up? Fear, there is no fear in cycling.

Have fun tomorrow, I believe I saw a slate of five “victims,” I meant to say ride buddies, for tomorrow’s romp in the woods. Should be a fun alternative to Thursday night Chariot Races @ Wakefield.

[CCrew]

@acc 5538 wrote:

CCrew, am I mistaken or did I detect fear of the route preventing you from signing up? Fear, there is no fear in cycling.

Naa, no fear for me. My riding partner for this one however? Definitely Supposedly the 25 and 35 are easy romps. the 65 and 100 not so much

@acc 5538 wrote:

fun tomorrow, I believe I saw a slate of five “victims,” I meant to say ride buddies, for tomorrow’s romp in the woods. Should be a fun alternative to Thursday night Chariot Races @ Wakefield.

You too! Have a great ride!! Look forward to the report. Enjoy Carolina Brothers!

[Riley Casey]

Now there is a ‘joy of cycling’ post to warm the heart. Have fun this weekend Ann.

[acc]

I confess and repent. I turned to the Dark Side. Today I broke every rule, every courtesy, and rode like a jerk. All I can say is I was in a group, fighting to hold my position and rode within my abilities. When I became too tired I dropped back to make sure I wasn’t putting anyone at risk. Probably won’t do that again but now I understand the thinking, it is a bit primal.

ann

[DaveK]

@acc 5554 wrote:

I confess and repent. I turned to the Dark Side. Today I broke every rule, every courtesy, and rode like a jerk. All I can say is I was in a group, fighting to hold my position and rode within my abilities. When I became too tired I dropped back to make sure I wasn’t putting anyone at risk. Probably won’t do that again but now I understand the thinking, it is a bit primal.

ann

What group, dare I ask?

[Author]

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