Ego Intervals

So I'm riding a beach loop the other day. Basically, it is a 60 mile ride down one river trail to the Pacific Coast Highway and then back up another river trail to home. It is flat (great for a fat guy like me) and the river trail portions give you long stretches of car free riding. I was about 8 miles in going about 20 miles per hour when I caught up to this guy. He was any average guy, riding an old beat up beach cruiser, carrying a big tennis bag, just riding along. There are people coming on the other side of the trail so I pull up behind this guy to wait for them to pass. I think he senses me there so he picks up the pace a bit. We're going about 18 mph at this point. We pass the group that was coming so I ease over to pass him. I pull up next to him expecting he will maintain his pace so I can go ahead and get on with my ride. I get back up to 20 mph. He stays with me. I push a little harder. He stays with me. I look over and say good morning, no response. I push harder, he's still there. This continues for a bit. Once I notice that this is starting to hurt a bit I look down at my PowerTap. We are now going about 28 mph. It has been 10 minutes and this guy is hammering! I look over to find an expression of steely determination on his face. Down the trail a bit I can see another group approaching. Decision time. Do I relent, ease up, and slide in behind this guy? My legs and lungs are telling me yes, my ego says no. I choose option #2: I put my head down and rip off a near sprint. I'm pushing hard now, going about 34 mph. I hold this pace for as long as I can. I don't look back, not because my supreme confidence in my sheer power makes me certain he is not there but because I'm afraid he might just be. After about 5 minutes I get the courage to ease up and look back. Thanks to the cycling gods, he is gone! So I call this new workout "Ego Intervals." All they require are a knack for underestimation. First, find some guy (or gal) out exercising (riding a bike, running, swimming, speed skating, you get the idea). Second, underestimate this person because they either look much less fit than you, are using equipment that is old and cost a fraction of what you are using, or preferably both. Third you must underestimate this person’s innate sense of competition. Finally, you must also underestimate your own need to win (whether it's been dormant for years or comes out to play every day, it will show its face). With all of these in place I defy you to not eagerly engage in a set of ego intervals.

Comments

[Drew]

Hahaha! Good stuff.

[Cate]

Ah, this is so the Justin we all know and love. Hilarious!