Another Kind of Fit

Anyone who has ever watch a bicycle race knows that cyclists are rail thin with bones & veins protruding everywhere.

Anyone who has ever ridden a charity or group ride knows that non professional cyclists are not rail thin and the only thing that might be protruding is a bit of a gut.

That's the magic of lycra, it is the great equalizer and you cannot hide when adorned in it.

As mentioned elsewhere, I've done the Trek Across Maine 11 times and already registered for 2018.  The types of folks who ride the Trek are very much like that United Colors of Beneton ad from the 80s.  Or that Coke ad that apparently Don Draper created in the 70s.  There's one of everything represented and a lot more of the latter description above then the former.

When I decided that I wanted a road bike and sought out my Uncle who owns a bike shop, one of the things I had to think about was whether I was going all in and wear spandex.  In the 90s when I was on a mountain bike I never wore spandex.  Taking that leap and wearing spandex meant that any sort of body issues I had would be front & center.

I won't delve into it much here, but guys can have as many body issues as women do.  It's definitely not gender specific and to top it off all those fitness books I read were meant for the 175 lb skinny cyclist.  Society puts less emphasis on a guy's appearance to the point where nowadays you'll see guys out on a date and not even trying and looking like they are reaching and the woman settling.

Ball busting is a great leveler, but there are times when it can maybe hit a bit too close too home.  When I first went out for a ride and my mother commented with some superhero sounding name, I felt a bit self conscious for sure.  Same with my father, snide comment meant to be funny but a bit deflating at the same time.  I can give as much as I get, but this was something I was excited about and they were kind of in their own way shitting on my parade, even if it was  wet squib...

They just didn't get it then and to be honest I don't think they do now.

The first ride was only 4 miles.  I didn't know how easy it would be or how far I could go.  Plus I was still getting used to integrated shifters and clipless pedals.  The next ride I just started riding and didn't stop until I got to the Cumberland Farms on rt 236 in South Berwick.  I felt AWESOME and just fell in love with my Trek 5000.  The last road bike I'd ridden was heavy & clunky.  My Cannondale mountain bike, an F-500, was fun but only zipping around on the trails.  I effortlessly did 25 miles round trip that day.

So back to Cumbies.  I rolled into the parking lot with the intention of getting something to drink.  This too would be a first, the first time going into a convenience store all decked out in spandex.

That was on my mind I was slowly came to a halt.

What wasn't on my mind was that I was clipped into my pedals.

You can see where this is going yes?

As my predicament dawned on me and unaware of the "track stand," I tried to unclip but instead lurched slowly to one side and began what seemed like a slow motion fall.  Hitting the pavement sped up the process it seemed and there I was, the fool on the bike laying in the parking lot.  Since then I have learned that that happens to every new cyclist with clipless pedals at least once.  All it takes is one time to never ever forget to unclip.

Anyway that comical tumble erased any sort of self consciousness that I was feeling.  I owned that tumble and stopped worrying if anyone was staring.

Years on from that moment I get a little kick out of catching folks staring at me a bit too long if I'm in the grocery store post ride.  Little kids will ask their parents if I am a baseball player and sometimes I catch folks staring a bit too long.  And to be honest, the fitter I have become the more comfortable I have become in my cycling kit.  I don't prance around like a Prima Ballerina, but I don't skulk around with shoulders down either.

Nor do I let cycling kit sizing affect my self esteem either.  You know how women complain about sizes and how say Marlyne Monroe's size then is different than what it would be if she were around today?  Well cycling kit is kind of the same based on the manufacturer.  For instance, in Pearl Izumi or Giordana kit, I wear a XL jersey.  But my preferred brand is Castelli and that's a XXL.  Heck even Castelli socks are sized up (XXL too btw).

But one of the best feelings is when you are getting fit and seeing little changes here & there.  You get ready for a ride and pull out a jersey you haven't worn in awhile and when you slip it on you notice the sleeves are looser.  That's a good indicator the weight is going in the right way.  Jerseys are meant to be tight and loose sleeves are a positive sign.

Long story short, spandex reveals all and own it, just own it.

Here's a bit of an addendum to my mother's super hero comment.  Flash forward several years to the inaugural Dempsey Challenge in Central Maine.  Patrick Dempsey, the actor/ race car driver & cycling enthusiast was born & raised in Lewiston Maine.  He started the Dempsey Challenge as a fundraiser for the Eastern Maine Medical Cancer Center.

That first year Dave Zabriskie, George Hincapie & Ted King all professional cyclists participated in the ride and rode with Patrick.  At one point between the start & 25 miles in, I passed them standing on the side of the road waiting for Patrick.  They all were in their trade team kits and all three looked like superheroes standing there.  And to this life long fanboy of 4 color fiction I was pretty stoked.

I was also stoke a bit later just before the first rest stop when I heard this noise behind me and suddenly WHOOOSH I was passed by Dave Zabriskie going flat out towing a massive line of folks behind him.  It was pretty awesome and the only time I liked getting passed....