I have a strict rule about wearing special jerseys. As in, if you didn’t earn it, don’t wear it. The special jerseys I’m talking about are World Champion Rainbow Jerseys, National Champion Jersey’s, Yellow TdF Leader’s Jerseys and things of the like. It’s a sentiment echoed by most of the cycling community. The athletes that earn those jerseys deserve to be the only ones with the right to wear them. Dropping $80 at the bike store to have your own Rainbow Jersey to wear at your local club ride is simply tacky.
It’s because of my strict rule on special jerseys that I have now found myself having an inner struggle as of late. One of my teammates is a former World Cup Champion. As a former champion, she is allowed to put the rainbow stripes on the sleeves or collar of all the jerseys she competes in if she wishes. Although she doesn’t put them on her jerseys anymore, she still has some clothing with those stripes. So, imagine my surprise the other day when she handed me one of her Team Fuji jerseys with her World Cup Champion stripes. The inner struggle began.
“I can’t wear a jersey with stripes.” I said, jaw on the floor at the generous offering. “Yes, you can. It’s a really warm jersey. You’re gonna love it,” she said. And with that I took the jersey from her.
She wasn’t kidding either. It’s a nice thick long sleeved jersey. I imagine it is nice and warm for these cold winter rides. But, I wouldn’t know. I haven’t worn it yet. I see it hanging in my closet every morning and am dieing to throw it on my back. But, how? How do I wear it without becoming a hypocrit to my own strict rules?
The answer: gaffers tape.
I’ll use gaffers tape to cover the stripes. My fellow riders will undoubtedly know the stripes are under there, but will also know I still hold special jerseys in high regard. Am I still a hypocrit?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
It's Not Elitest, It's Just the Basics
I did 2 big rides over the weekend and put in nearly 200k which is great for some base mile fitness to prepare me for the race season. The big hazard of these kinds of organized rides is that there are riders of all levels. Based on some events I experienced this weekend, some people don’t understand that riding in a pack is not as easy as it looks on TV during the Tour de France…and it’s not just the newbies who are guilty.
1) Do NOT overestimate your fitness and or skill level. You know in your heart you cannot keep up with the CAT 1 men’s racing teams, so do NOT start in the front with them. You’ll only blow up on the first hill and cause problems for the 100’s of riders behind you who CAN keep up.
2) If you hit a hole and lose your water bottle, DO NOT slam on your brakes and come to a complete stop in the middle of the peleton. Ease your way out of the pack and when you are clear of other riders, then and only then are you allowed to turn around and go get your bottle.
3) If you blow a tire, see number 2.
4) If for any reason you have the urge to slam on your brakes, DON’T. Instead, try paying attention.
5) In other words - DO NOT slam on your brakes in a Peleton. The ONLY way you can get away with this is if there are people in front of you already hitting the road. And guess what? They are probably crashing because someone slammed on their brakes (or suddenly swerved, see numbers 7 and 8).
6) Most people know to say “car back” or “car up” to warn other riders of the presence of a vehicle, but, for God’s sake, there’s no reason to scream it with panic in your voice like your being chased by an ax murderer. Riders will read your panic and hit the brakes. For more info on hitting your brakes in a pack of cyclists, please see numbers 2 – 5.
7) If you cannot keep your bike from swerving when you take a hand off the bar or when you turn your head to talk to someone, then DON’T DO IT. Keep both hands on the handle bar and keep your eyes forward. Sudden swerving in a peleton leads to bad things. Practice this skill on your own first – it’s not as easy as it sounds.
8) Along the lines of number 7, your bike should not be swerving to follow your downstroke. Keep your pedaling smooth, your bike straight and your upper body relaxed and still.
9) Pointing at the ground to warn riders behind you of holes or gravel in the road is a good thing. Please keep that in mind when your hands go numb and you’re contantly dropping them to your side to shake them out. Every time you do that, the rider behind you begins bracing for an obstacle. It’s annoying. Stop it.
Riding a bike is not as easy as it looks. Beyond fitness, bike handling skills and common sense are essential. Take some time to practice them…for the sake of the other 500 riders out there.
1) Do NOT overestimate your fitness and or skill level. You know in your heart you cannot keep up with the CAT 1 men’s racing teams, so do NOT start in the front with them. You’ll only blow up on the first hill and cause problems for the 100’s of riders behind you who CAN keep up.
2) If you hit a hole and lose your water bottle, DO NOT slam on your brakes and come to a complete stop in the middle of the peleton. Ease your way out of the pack and when you are clear of other riders, then and only then are you allowed to turn around and go get your bottle.
3) If you blow a tire, see number 2.
4) If for any reason you have the urge to slam on your brakes, DON’T. Instead, try paying attention.
5) In other words - DO NOT slam on your brakes in a Peleton. The ONLY way you can get away with this is if there are people in front of you already hitting the road. And guess what? They are probably crashing because someone slammed on their brakes (or suddenly swerved, see numbers 7 and 8).
6) Most people know to say “car back” or “car up” to warn other riders of the presence of a vehicle, but, for God’s sake, there’s no reason to scream it with panic in your voice like your being chased by an ax murderer. Riders will read your panic and hit the brakes. For more info on hitting your brakes in a pack of cyclists, please see numbers 2 – 5.
7) If you cannot keep your bike from swerving when you take a hand off the bar or when you turn your head to talk to someone, then DON’T DO IT. Keep both hands on the handle bar and keep your eyes forward. Sudden swerving in a peleton leads to bad things. Practice this skill on your own first – it’s not as easy as it sounds.
8) Along the lines of number 7, your bike should not be swerving to follow your downstroke. Keep your pedaling smooth, your bike straight and your upper body relaxed and still.
9) Pointing at the ground to warn riders behind you of holes or gravel in the road is a good thing. Please keep that in mind when your hands go numb and you’re contantly dropping them to your side to shake them out. Every time you do that, the rider behind you begins bracing for an obstacle. It’s annoying. Stop it.
Riding a bike is not as easy as it looks. Beyond fitness, bike handling skills and common sense are essential. Take some time to practice them…for the sake of the other 500 riders out there.
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