#9: I don’t like PDA.
At least not on my bike.
I am all for a little hand holding and other displays of affection if both parties are consenting. But when I’m on my bike, I am a firm believer that we need to keep our distance and, frankly, display some restraint.
I was spending a little quality time with Louie (my bike) on Sunday morning. Given the Africa-hot-like temperatures and sauna-like conditions in Atlanta lately, it seemed that everyone else who owned a bike had the same game plan: get up early and get out and ride. I was Little Miss Sunshine, passing a few guys and throwing out a “Good morning!” to show good manners. But my demeanor quickly changed when I glanced back a minute later and noticed that the dude was inspecting my rear end. Or my rear wheel. Whatever. I don’t like PDA!
Note the aerobars, please. I am not a cyclist. I am a triathlete. And I admittedly suck when it comes to people riding too close. Knock on wood, but I think I’ve avoided crashes over the years due to my paranoia, so I’m not seeking out treatment just yet; it’s working just fine for me.
So I gave him the stink-eye, thinking that my nonverbal communication would be sufficient and I wouldn’t have to have the “Break-up Talk.” It didn’t. He saw me looking back at him and happily piped up, “Thanks for picking me up!”
Except I wasn’t picking him up. Or interested in a public display of affection on my rear wheel. So I had to have The Talk. It’s not you, it’s me. I swear.
I don’t know what kind of pheromones I was putting out on Sunday, but not 15 minutes later, I had another suitor cozying up to my rear wheel. Another public display of affection. Another TALK.
So I was probably not too popular on Riverside Road this weekend, but a girl’s gotta be true to herself. I just don’t like PDA on the bike.
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In other (not really) related news, however, I DO love PDA with the cutest Yorkies in the ‘hood. Billy caught this on his camera phone with Shaina’s BFF Cody, the new baby Jersey, and my lil’ Shaina on the right. I wanted to chew their faces off.
I’m now in Philly Monday through Saturday for work meetings and will be spending the week focusing on running, for obvious, bike-less reasons. Coach Matt is good at getting creative with training plans designed around life and making sure we make the most of whatever time we have. If it sounds like I’m kissing up, I am. Just grateful to have good people in my corner.
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I agree totally. People think I am a realy grouch on the bike – but it is only if you are gettting a bit too up close and personal with my rear wheel.
If it was not for the fact that I lreally ike triathlon, I would become a triathlete just for the NOT DRAFT LEGAL rules.
You had a Klingon! I had one last week.
Sometimes they’re fun and motivating. If I’m not on some strategic ride the gameplan can be to slowly turn up the heat (a few bpm every couple miles) until they drop off. That’s a lot more fun than sprinting out ahead.
My last Klingon caught me at a light and then decided to try to pull. Uncool. Stink Eye. No TALK though. Aerobars should be a clear indicator that we don’t want to ride behind anybody.
On other days when I need to hit certain zones, paces, etc. it’s just not fun to have somebody watching over my shoulder. (They don’t ever seem to check out my butt.)
Maybe we need to print some cycling shorts with “No Tailgating” on the butt.
I don’t know who is cuter in those pics… you or the puppies.
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I like PDF’s more.
I skip the talk and start with the spitting and snotting over the shoulder. Maybe I should be more polite and try talking to them first.