domingo, 30 de julio de 2023

Good karma paying back

I know yesterday I said I was going to mislead Powell about today's sprint at the Horton roundabouts (https://www.strava.com/activities/9543339973) but couldn't live with the guilt  so when we got to Epsom I told him the real number of roundabouts to count (8).

At some point I thought karma was paying me back for my good action of the year. I was fourth wheel, looked back and I saw a gap between me and the rest of the group. It was one of those gaps that form as you sprint out a roundabout. It was a considerable big gap. So big that I thought they wouldn't make it back. Perfect position for the sprint if you ask me.


There was only one problem. When I looked back I think I saw Bidders at the front of that group. 


That's not good. If you know Bidders you don't need any explanation. If you don't know him, be assured you don't want him chasing you. More often than not he will catch you.


I looked back again, in full panic, to confirm what I thought I had seen was correct. To my horror it was correct. Bidders was at the front of the group that was chasing us.


Just to give you all context at no point crossed my mind to move to the front and contribute to the pace of my group. What kind of sprinter do you think I am?


Besides, the gap was still big. Bidders had beaten me in the sprint for the KOM at Juniper. I was betting on him being too tired to catch us. 


It just happened next time I looked back, about two seconds later, he was on my wheel. I almost started to cry.


At the edge of a sprinting career depression the thought of him now being really tired after the sprint up Juniper and having to close that gap gave me comfort. 


Move to second wheel in the last roundabout, that will trigger him to start the sprint, jump on his wheel as soon as he passes you, wait for the right moment, start the sprint, beat him to the line. Don’t ever tell me I’m not fast at coming with plans. 


The plan had two steps and the first two went as planned. At the last roundabout I moved to second wheel and that triggered him to start the sprint.


The bit about jumping on his wheel as soon as he passed me didn’t quite go as planned.


It wasn’t my fault. He just sprinted too hard. 


It is impossible to execute a plan if the others don’t stick to it.


I didn’t blame Bidders though. 


What kind of karma payback is this? If I knew I would have told Powell there were only 6 roundabouts.


The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/9549372255 


Take care

Javier Arias González


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