I was going to post this in another thread - but I think this stands on its own.
We are athletes, competitive and nothing brings that out more than a good chase.
I had some fun with this on my commute home from work yesterday which I had intended to be a recovery ride. I was headed north on the highway, making good use of a tailwind. As I reached a trailhead on the left side of the road, I decided to stay on the highway since I had good momentum. On the highway, I was moving along at a good rate and noticed a guy, late teens or early 20's- I think, riding a moped parallel to me on the trail. A girl was seated behind him clinging on as to not fall off the small bike.
They were progressing slowly, with the wind I passed easily. A few miles up, I reached a roundabout. Using it, I made my way over to the trail where I encountered a riding buddy. We chatted for a minute or two, then we noticed the moped coming.
As it passed on by, we made eye contact with the driver - he gave us a look like he was king s#!t. Maybe he thought he was impressing his date with his tragic emo fashion, moped or driving illegally on the trail. A minute later, I concluded my conversation with my friend and headed north on the trail again. This time I had a mission, a rabbit to chase, it was time to show moped man who was the trail boss and punish his crime with being humiliated by a bicycle.
It didn't take long to get the moped back into view. Though it took a couple of miles to close the remaining gap. I believe that I was spotted and he started to drive faster. I eventually caught up at an intersection and drafted for a short while. The girl looked back apparently amused, the guy less so. I was coming up to my turn off the trail, so I made my move. I came around the left and we were side by side - we exchanged a glance, he revved the small engine and I stood up and pulled away.
I sprinted, continuing to pull away, for maybe 30 seconds and then took my turn feeling vindicated. So I blew my recovery ride, but it was good fun - I only wish I had my camera mounted on the bike to record the event.
So, what did you chase? Did you beat it?
We are athletes, competitive and nothing brings that out more than a good chase.
I had some fun with this on my commute home from work yesterday which I had intended to be a recovery ride. I was headed north on the highway, making good use of a tailwind. As I reached a trailhead on the left side of the road, I decided to stay on the highway since I had good momentum. On the highway, I was moving along at a good rate and noticed a guy, late teens or early 20's- I think, riding a moped parallel to me on the trail. A girl was seated behind him clinging on as to not fall off the small bike.
They were progressing slowly, with the wind I passed easily. A few miles up, I reached a roundabout. Using it, I made my way over to the trail where I encountered a riding buddy. We chatted for a minute or two, then we noticed the moped coming.
As it passed on by, we made eye contact with the driver - he gave us a look like he was king s#!t. Maybe he thought he was impressing his date with his tragic emo fashion, moped or driving illegally on the trail. A minute later, I concluded my conversation with my friend and headed north on the trail again. This time I had a mission, a rabbit to chase, it was time to show moped man who was the trail boss and punish his crime with being humiliated by a bicycle.
It didn't take long to get the moped back into view. Though it took a couple of miles to close the remaining gap. I believe that I was spotted and he started to drive faster. I eventually caught up at an intersection and drafted for a short while. The girl looked back apparently amused, the guy less so. I was coming up to my turn off the trail, so I made my move. I came around the left and we were side by side - we exchanged a glance, he revved the small engine and I stood up and pulled away.
I sprinted, continuing to pull away, for maybe 30 seconds and then took my turn feeling vindicated. So I blew my recovery ride, but it was good fun - I only wish I had my camera mounted on the bike to record the event.
So, what did you chase? Did you beat it?
