Forgive me fans for I have sinned. It has been two months since my last post.

When I started to write these I had no idea that my time  would be swept away at such a rate. The education of the new cycling public is advancing faster than I predicted and the call for the ‘bike that really fits’ has left me high and dry in the extra time department. BIZZY!!! Admittedly, in my selfish cyclist ways I’ve spent time on my bicycle that I could have been spending at the keyboard but such is life…or at least mine. Still, not so selfish that I won’t put others cycling needs first. Just finished a bike for BC’s rising female superstar, BC Team Rider Jasmine Glaesser. Although only a racer since last June, this fast lady has had her wheel across the line first numerous times this year…and all this being still a junior rider riding the senior/elite races. She’d complained her Cannondale needed to lose weight and that Jenny Craig wouldn’t accept it into their program. She’d even tried calorie reduced oil on the chain to no effect. Her new velo did her well this past weekend at the Provincial Senior Championships where she managed a second place to a more experienced Olympic rider.

The enigmatic Ms. Glaesser and her new steed

So anyways, back to the subject matter.

This getting older thing has many advantages in the ways of increased wisdom that can actually make life go smoother and much more efficiently. You just get to know the smart way…as long as you’ve been paying attention all along that is. If you’ve been acting like a retard all your life you’re likely no further ahead. Like Fog Horn Leghorn was oft heard saying, “Pay attention now son, listen to what I’m tellin’ yuh”

Cycling is no doubt an area where experience helps massively making the job easier…at least sometimes. In my case, I can hang on a wheel on flat terrain like nobody’s business. Four of us did a bit of a ride the other Sunday and although I get out no more than twice a week, our average speed was 36-37 kph for about two hours.  I can always find that perfect spot on a wheel and have no problem two inches of the gravel to echelon in the right spot. BUT!!!…chuck a reasonable bit of a climb in there (my olde specialty)  and je suis histoire. I’m out the back faster than Frank Nitti when Elliot Ness was coming through the front door. Its so depressing!

I haven’t been serious about racing for about 10 years (I was 45) and at that time I was pretty fit. Did OK in a few Cat 1/2 races where the elevation changed about 2 centimetres and copped a few wins in Madisons at the local track but whenever the road went up, those young guys just blew away. Even though my weight was within five pounds of my heyday, I was a slug in comparison to those times…even more so now. A recent ride on some rather undulating terrain made me glad a had a cell phone and bus fare. The days of a 42-19 low gear and never needing it have vanished.

I have no answers for this but starting Monday next, I’m going to have a go at seeing what sort of real improvement I can get in my lost art of pedaling up. My bike is WAY faster than the bike of fast(er) years past so you’d think I could get close. I’ll keep you posted.