This is one of the big benefits that I try to make customers aware of when I sell a bike, that cycling can be a social, as well physical activity.
A lot of people are intimidated by the ideal of the flashy lycra clad athlete on his skinny tired road bike. Sometimes those guys *are* pretty intimidating to the novice cyclist. Even as an experienced cyclist, I've been passed on a climb and insulted - when a simple "on your left," would have done. Actually I prefer, "on your left, nice day isn't it," which seems a lot less intimidating when *I* actually pass someone.
Lots of us are meeting up in less then a week to be social, to ride and to share a favorite hobby. Its kinda cool that people from very different walks of life, who might necessarily never cross paths are going to get together and have a really great time. At first I was thinking, oh man, everyone is going to be faster than me, and I'm gonna be stressing to hang on the back while everyone else spins a 54/11 up a hill! Then I realized, its not a race, the hammer heads will hammer and the rest of us will chill out and admire each other's pretty rides and probably gab the whole time
And, to remind you all.... At least those of you in Atlanta... Bicycle South at the corner of North Decatur and Claremont, is having a Stone Mountain and back ride, tomorrow at 10:00 am. I'm riding sweep, but its a nice mellow ride and there are more then enough options to increase the distance/elevation. Snacks at the shop on our return. This is a good ride to test out what you might be riding at Cirque, or if you are not going, to show off what you have!
I'm riding a new, non era pedal system for the second time, so you all can laugh at me as I flail around wildly, trying to clip out... Watch out for that tree!
Ann Phillips, Atlanta GA
5 days till Cirque!