Dave’s Good Stuff

It’s been well documented that whenever two or more commuters meet on the road, it is necessary that they race. It’s unspoken, and rarely even acknowledged, but accepted without question.

I hear that runners have the same rules.

This morning was supposed to be a relaxing ride in. It was supposed to see me arrive at work relatively low on the sweat meter. In case you’re not paying attention, it didn’t end up that way.

Russ and I hit the intersection of 91st and Lamar at the same time. I was heading east and turning right, while he was heading west and turning left. He hails from Brookside, and I from Shawnee. Honestly, this morning I was that guy that doesn’t stop to chat. I was that guy who just rides on with only a nod, anti-social and distant even though you’re going the same direction. I was feeling solitary and withdrawn due to some general life stresses that have been getting the best of me. I turned right and rode on, pulling a pretty good pace down the hill from 91st to 95th. He apparently kept up pretty well, because the light at 95th stopped us both. We introduced ourselves and struck up a conversation (I wasn’t feeling *that* rude). He works for the advertising company that serves my company. Go figure! Small world, isn’t it?

And that’s when the race began. What started as an easy 17-18mph downhill turned into a 23-26mph minor hammerfest. He was pushing as hard as I was, judging by his breathing. He stayed a bit ahead the whole time. I was still resisting the urge to hammer it fully, but I kept up with him all the same. Interestingly enough, when we got to the incline between Indian Creek Dr and the 435 overpass, I dropped him. My climbing has improved quite a bit over the last few months, which I hope will help ease my passage over the passes in Colorado.

He went his way east towards work at the roundabout, and we bid our farewells. It’s possible we’ll see each other again, but it’s hard to beat the sort of timing we had this morning.