The cycling addict cultivates a database of compatible cycling partners that spans its entire migratory range. Although solitary riding is a natural part of the cycylist’s repertoire, riding with others of its kind, especially when away from home turf, provides a veneer to mask the underlying compulsion.
Like any other kind of junkie, when your immediate context is others who share the same obsession, you have no proper reference point for the magnitude of the addiction. “Since we are doing this together, we must be normal.“
In Bellingham, one such cycling brother is Dr. David Engle, principal of Squalicum High School.
Dr. Engle with his one-of-a-kind Klein.
The ride: Samish Lake loop, a sweet ~20 mile out and back from the south side of Bellingham. This is also the preferred exit and re-entry point for longer rides into Skagit county. Chuckanut Drive is the glamor route out of the south side of Bellingham, but depending on the time of year and time of day, there can be too much traffic for comfort. When in doubt, head for Lake Samish.
In most of my previous rides with David, I was usually in mid-season form, while he was coming off an illness or some other disruption to his fitness program. This time the tables were turned; David has been cycling to work and is in great shape. By the time we hit the second hill, a 5-mile ascent up Lake Samish Road, I was red-lining and ready to reach for a Floyd Landis Shake.
Conditions made for a perfect Fall ride: Cool temps, calm air, and great scenery every pedal stroke.
Fortunately, as the author of this blog, I now have what seems like a reasonable excuse to change the pace: “Let’s slow down and take some pictures.”
At this point, we were passed by Heidi Hoff, a WWU student athlete who rows crew and barely has time to cycle, let alone study (cycling or studying, which is more important?). Although we were stopped when she caught us, I’m pretty certain she would have caught us anyway. Although Dr. Engle and I would like to believe we are faster than average riders, the reality of getting passed was impossible to ignore. The fragile ego of the middle aged male cyclist is easily bruised.
Heidi Hoff, a WWU student and Dr. Engle moving too fast for the cameraman.
Thanks for the reality check, Heidi.
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