Day 4: From Misery to Epiphany
Distance: 90 km
As all my readers know (all 2 of you), this biking tour has been more about survival for me than anything else. Day 4 did not start off well when our 2nd leg was a 18 km journey against the wind to a reservoir. It was the toughest leg thus far, much harder than the rolling hills. As usual, I came in 2nd to last, just narrowly edging out the Japanese old lady who suffered a serious accident on the 1st day. Again, not at all embarrassed.
As the 3rd leg got under way, I quickly fell behind the pack, struggling. I usually start talking to myself to pump myself up. Tangent: when I get back to the Western world, I am going to release a motivational podcast for cyclists. Unfortunately, it will not be suitable for kids due to the multitude of explicatives. “Don’t be a f***** p****, you dumb***!!! What, what, what, you want me to call the waaaambulance for you?!?!”
Anyway, 3 km. into the 3rd leg and I’ve lost sight of the party. Our tour guide, Joe, cycles up in front of me. I spend the next 5 “clicks” (that’s bicycle speak for kilometers for all you amateurs, ahem, ahem) tailing him and… it’s actually easier to bike! Eureka!! “And on Day 4, God created drafting for Rahul”. For those of you who watched Days of Thunder (quality movie), drafting is when you are right behind somebody who’s going really fast. The folks in front are taking the brunt of the wind and it allows you to use way less effort to get the same speed. Karen says it’s 50% easier to draft cycle behind someone than do it yourself. After another 5 clicks drafting behind Joe, he gets on his walkie-talkie and calls for reinforcements. Our support van rolls in front of us. He turns to me and says that we’re both going to draft behind the van and catch up to everyone. SWEEEEEEEET!!
And we’re off! I coudn’t believe how fast we were going and how easy it was to go uphill. With 2 kilometers to go, I see a big group of riders. The van veers off and I just power through, coming in a little before the group. It was awesome. First time all trip that I actually had fun bicycling. I drafted behind the big group and was able to finish each of the remaining legs with them no problem. Good times!
- Rahul
