The big burst on a pass? You gotta hit the gas

When Jerry Rice took a pitchout on a football play and ran toward the sideline, he’d pick his spot and then make an explosive slingshot-like turn upfield. He was suddenly so fast, he said he was “running downhill.”

At that speed, nobody could catch the former wide receiver great with the San Francisco 49ers – at least for most of his career. It was a thing of beauty, a graceful display of pure speed.

We riders can summon that same fast but easy speed on the bike. It starts with a quick burst on a flat trail that produces a smooth, fast pace. Which to me, feels a lot like riding downhill. Or at least with a nice tailwind!

But it takes fresh and strong legs to launch an explosive burst. And with them, a big desire to hit the gas.

I get motivated to suddenly spike up my speed on the bike when I get passed by a rude, fast rider!

I can be riding a pretty nice pace, feeling good about myself, then Whaaat? Suddenly get passed by a rider with a too-close brush-by?

Sometimes that ticks me off! But how I respond depends on how much I have in the tank.

If I’m tired, I’ll be philosophical. “Hey, not my day to be that fast, just riding on the energy I have,” I’ll say to myself.

Which for me, isn’t always easy. Because I want the legs to chase down the rider.

If I’m feeling frisky though, I’ll probably have an “Oh yeah?” reaction. Which is a bit childish, really. But hey, if it stokes the competitive fires, and triggers a burst of speed, I’m good with it.

I try to catch their wheel and see what I can do from there. Can I stay with them? If so, when’s a good spot to pass them? If I pass them, will I be able to separate long enough to drop them?

Then it’s just a little on-the-fly fitness test to see just how much I have in the tank. It’s a fun exercise.

Pass ‘em, crack ‘em

On a recent ride I had stronger legs than usual. So I was surprised when I was passed by two riders in dark blue kits that nearly brushed me as they passed. I took their pass as dismissive and rude. Idiot ego was suddenly turbo-charging my legs!

I gave chase, but they were moving pretty well, at about 20 mph, so it took awhile to reel them in. Once I caught their wheels, I concocted a little challenge for myself. It was about a half mile before the end of my 14.5-mile split, the first long one of the ride I try to ride at an average speed of 18 mph or above. The end of the split has a few twists and turns, then a straightaway where I sprint to the end. I passed the two riders a little way before all the quick turns, then hit it, full gas.

I crossed the finish of the split, and rode to a gradual climb along a bridge sidewalk. That’s where the two dudes caught and passed me while I was recovering from my sprint. It took me another mile or so before I saw them slow down ahead on a long straightaway and pretty soon I passed them. I was energized for the remaining eight uphill miles to the turnaround point of the ride. Never saw them again, I passed my own little test. Dropped ‘em, and in the process, had a strong time for the first 25 miles of the ride. Nice!

On the ride back, I still had strong legs. For the past several months I haven’t been able to sustain a whole lot of speed on this regular 51-miler. Must be getting old!

But even with a nice19 mph pace going, a guy passed me! He had to be doing around 21 mph. I was impressed. He opened up a lead of about 30 yards.

OK, I said to self, reel him back. I was pretty sure he couldn’t hang with that pace for long. Unless he was a pro. Nah, no way!

I slowly gained on him over a couple of miles. Then I saw him coast for a bit, then start up again. So I pulled closer. He stopped pedaling again, and I poured it on and passed him. He had burned all his matches. Cracked. Nice!

Missing bike time

My schedule was so full this past week that I wasn’t able to get out on the bike. Booo! Which hasn’t happened for a long time. I definitely missed riding, but that’s just how it goes sometimes. I’ll be back on the bike this coming week. I’ll be extra stoked because of the break, and that alone should free up some pent-up energy in the legs.

And a break from the bike isn’t all bad. It can offer a chance to realize how lucky we are to do rides we love. A chance to feel some gratitude for all the mental and physical rewards that we get…when we’re on that bike.

Til next time, remember to pull on a helmet every time you get on the bike. Then, keep the rubber side down and ride safely. And never forget to have a blast.

-- Mark Eric Larson