The Tao of Tuesday-Thursday

1. If you are going 30, bring your “A” game. If you are tired from racing, under the weather, not topped up on fuel, or not paying attention, bad things will happen. I know because I have made all of these mistakes, and been punished for them.

2. Mind the gap. The first 1/3 of the ride for the 30 miler is fast and furious. People will blow and open gaps. Chasing down gaps is a limited time option. Those burned matches can’t be recovered. Keep an eye out for riders over the limit and be prepared to get around them safely. Also don’t sit in the back at the danger areas (such as the first hill after the turn onto the 30 mile course).

3. About to blow? Then surf the back and stay out of trouble. Save your watts and leave a small gap for the rider pulling off to get in front of you. Let them know to pull in front of you. However, doing this for 3/4 of the ride then attacking may get you the “Cinzano” treatment (see e.g. Breaking Away).

4. Communication may save someone- maybe even you. Going hard makes people dumb. Don’t let the rider on the front pull off into a overtaking car. Don’t assume everyone sees that loose dog with the death wish. The rider behind you may want to have the giant pot hole pointed out. If you are overtaking a pulling off or blown rider, let them know, they may be too tired to see you.

5. It’s not a race. For one, its often harder then many races. For another, we don’t have a closed course or any protections from tired, distracted and often angry commuters who just want to get home. Better to get dropped then to get run over. Try to let the cars back around quickly and safely, lest they force the issue on some blind corner to get home two minutes faster.

6. It’s ok to get dropped. That means you gave everything you had. If you haven’t been dropped, you may need to ride with the A group, or if you are with them, maybe attack more or try and go up the road. Note, this don’t apply to Ben King. Please feel free to sit in as much as you want. Sir.

7. It’s called “lube” or “new cleats”, you may want to look into them.

8. No attacking/hard tempo until we clear Earlysville forest, there will be plenty of time for going hard soon enough.

9. Just say no to Primal Wear jerseys. Please.

10. Have fun, go hard, be cool, generous and a good fellow rider.