Solo rides provide total freedom. I choose my own route, start time, and pace. And can make whatever changes I please along the way. I'm much more relaxed on the bike, even when pushing the pace. And I notice things I'd never seen before on roads I've ridden dozens of times in pacelines.
Sure, your average speed in a paceline will be a couple of mph faster. But that's because you're cheating the wind, not because you're a stronger rider.
Unfortunately for you, you must have been in pacelines with like minded riders who didn't like to ride in pacelines or didn't know how. If you never were able to experience the group dynamic of common effort, challenging yourself to stay on even if the effort is above your personal comfort zone, and ending up with a huge endorphin high, then I'm sorry for you.
Mmmm... endorphins.
Due to a nasty and completely non bike related accident I had years ago I have more than the normal person's experience with opiates. I have acquaintances who are heavily into drug culture who have less experience with opiates than I do.
Endorphin literally means endocrinatic morphine... opiates that your brain produces all by its happy lil self.
Because I've had the occasionally accidental high from an incorrect pain pill to pain ratio I know how to play around with the chemicals my body is producing and leaving the adrenaline of paceline speed so I can concentrate on feeling the wind caress my skin is one of those really nice bicycle things that makes less pleasant things like intervals totally worthwhile.
Solo rides provide total freedom. I choose my own route, start time, and pace. And can make whatever changes I please along the way. I'm much more relaxed on the bike, even when pushing the pace. And I notice things I'd never seen before on roads I've ridden dozens of times in pacelines.
Sure, your average speed in a paceline will be a couple of mph faster. But that's because you're cheating the wind, not because you're a stronger rider.
Unfortunately for you, you must have been in pacelines with like minded riders who didn't like to ride in pacelines or didn't know how. If you never were able to experience the group dynamic of common effort, challenging yourself to stay on even if the effort is above your personal comfort zone, and ending up with a huge endorphin high, then I'm sorry for you.
BFD. I can get all that when riding with one stronger partner and I don't have to deal with idiots who can't smoothly transition from stitting to standing, who can't hold their line, who overreact, etc, etc.
Greg
-- "All my time I spent in heaven Revelries of dance and wine Waking to the sound of laughter Up I'd rise and kiss the sky" - The Mekons
Ah! but there is you problem! You chose to ride with men! The better plan is to be the sole man in a paceline of Women! If your the sole man in a paceline of women of average and above beauty you won't care about roadside scenery, but the wonderful peaches ahead of you.
If you're the only man in a paceline of women you're usually riding in front.
"Cobben Sence" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Callistus Valerius said:
never saw the countryside, as we wizzed down the road, looking at only each others asses, wearing our arms out with arm signals, and getting headaches
Ah! but there is you problem! You chose to ride with men! The better plan is to be the sole man in a paceline of Women! If your the sole man in a paceline of women of average and above beauty you won't care about roadside scenery, but the wonderful peaches ahead of you. Your spead will also increase as you focus on thoes exalted objects.. the Female bootie!
never saw the countryside, as we wizzed down the road, looking at only each others asses, wearing our arms out with arm signals, and getting headaches
Ah! but there is you problem! You chose to ride with men! The better plan is to be the sole man in a paceline of Women! If your the sole man in a paceline of women of average and above beauty you won't care about roadside scenery, but the wonderful peaches ahead of you. Your spead will also increase as you focus on thoes exalted objects.. the Female bootie!
Hmm, I suppose I could try and sneak into Clitoral Mass, but I doubt I could pass as a women. Even an extremely ugly one. [1]
-- Dane Buson - [email hidden] Worst Response To A Crisis, 1985: From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"
