We had a great after work ride yesterday. 8 of us tore around through some
local hills for 23 miles. One fellow was on the yellow/black Lance replica
TREK, another on his Scott Tri bike, and so forth. I took my Rivendell-ish old
'79 Nashbar (I suspect made by Mariushi, but can't be sure) lugged steel crit
race bike that came from another list member converted to 650B with mustache
bars. Not being concerned with speed, there is a frame pump mounted on a seat
stay and an OYB gunny sack slung under the seat. I am always the slow one. (On
Saturday's 66 mile Peddalin' For A Cure ride I learned I was both the first
rider registered and the dead last rider to finish riding. Talk about
symmetry!) Anyway, I advertised the ride as 13 -15 mph avg, and was left behind
at 18 mph as they accelerated away from me at 22.
But not so much on the climbs. We regrouped at the store stop mid way, and upon
leaving, they were only out ahead by 1/4 mile or so, and then we took some big
climbs. I passed one, then another, another, and then I was in the middle of a
pack of 4, standing not because I was tired, but because I was passing them.
The Tri guy was still ahead of me as we returned to town and the last long
climb back towards the start point. I got ahead of him in the first 100 yards,
and by the top of the climb 2 miles later, had a good 1/4 - 1/2 mile lead! I
have never ever led on one these outings. To say I am stoked is severe
understatement. Of course, I could go out on the next ride and discover that my
legs are completely lacking in get up and go, but until then I'm savoring the
moment.
The thing I really noticed is that mustache bars are great for hard climbs. The
hand positions are perfect towards the bar ends for standing climbs, and the
forward loops are great for seated climbing. On the downhills, you can get very
aero on them as well. They've taken me some time to get used to, but I really
likes 'em!
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