Momz is Da Bombz

So here we are in Virginia Beach…my old stomping grounds. We are here to visit my family, dogs-sit and gimp-sit for a few days (my brother has a broken leg), and visit with a very select few of my old friends. While I’m here I figure I might as well also watch the Star Wars Trilogy, do some ocean swimming, mess around on my computer, and ride bikes with my mom.

Yesterday I went riding with my mom and her friend. Mom is pushin’ 60 but can still push big gears and haul ass. Here’s me and mi ma with her beloved dawg, Sophie.

The two ladies had me working pretty hard on the bike. My mom rides almost everyday. She also got together an all women’s amateur team with cute jerseys (see above photo). She started the team in Virginia Beach because she wanted to create a more non-intimidating environment for women to get into cycling here. I think it’s working because her team has now grown to more than 25 riders and now has a waiting list because they ran out of team kits.

She gave me a team kit and let me ride my stepdad’s carbon Specialized. I don’t think I’ve ridden a bike that light before. It felt pretty weird to be riding such a light bike and wearing all that fancy gear. I am used to riding a touring bike that weighs about 100 lbs loaded. Wow.

We rode through Fort Story, which is a small military base here. It’s also where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. I used to think it was unfortunate that they put a military base in this beautiful spot…until I realized that if the base weren’t there, the whole area would probably just be luxury condos. The base is mainly a storage facility and training base, so most of it is just trees and sand dunes. It’s really nice for riding…the few cars that pass don’t dare run you over and the 30 mph speed limit is strictly enforced.

The Fort also possesses one of the only hills in Virginia Beach other than Mount Trashmore (not kidding people…the only mountain here is made out of trash…it’s where I used to run cross country races). Well, on the Fort Story hill, I almost lost my bike when I stood up during a steeper part of the climb. I guess I’m not used to balancing a bike that light….it’s certainly a lot more responsive than a bike that weighs 100lbs. I suppose I’m used to moving the bike laterally a whole lot more. Well, when you do that on a super light bike you might just go flying sideways with it, which almost happened to me. I had a good laugh.

Conclusion: I think there comes a point where a bike can be too light. Even for racing. I think I like to have at least 19 lbs under me rather than feeling like I’m floating around on a piece of carbondboard. If I want my bike to get lighter I think I should just stop eating ice cream or something.

-L

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