So as we approach the Sophomore season for The MOTOR Cub, the street team reporter, yours truly, had a chance to interview the A-Train last night after his training ride with The Diesel. At first he was reluctant to a face to face interview but then agreed to a phone interview saying, "It would be a good way to pass the next 15 minutes while I sit in this frickin' cold water bath."
Q - So Mr. A-Train, how do you see this season playing out for the Club?
AT - Mr?
Q - Sorry, A-Train, how do you see this season playing out for the Motor Club?
AT - All I can think about right now is how I am going to do hill repeats on Friday morning after what just happened today.
Q - What happened today?
AT - What are you hard of hearing? Yes, today.
Q - No, I am not hard of hearing. I was just asking you wh....
AT - Man, I don't know what the hell he was thinking.
Q - I'm sorry, what are you talking....
AT - About today! Ca'mon, stay with the conversation.
Q - You didn't know what who was thinking?
AT - Diesel! Have you been listening to me? Where did you get your journalism degree anyway? Do you even have one.
Q - Yes I do. I got it on-line.
AT - Jesus this water is cold.
Q - So you and Diesel went for a ride today and he said something that pissed you off?
AT - No, what?! No, it was supposed to be an endurance day. Extended saddle time to spin the legs but also get our butts reacquainted with being on the saddle for long periods. 150 to 160 bpms was the target. We averaged over 170. And then that stunt he pulled at the 3 hour mark. We were 35 miles into an all single track ride, what was he thinking? I mean okay, I was impressed but who does that? He's never been able to put forth such an effort after riding for 3 hours straight but ca'mon....it's March for crying out loud! Can I say something off the record?
Q - Yes.
AT - I think he was trying to drop me. Don't tell him I said that though.
Q - Don't worry, I won't. But why would he want to do that.
AT - Because of my white grips. He can't stand looking at those things.
Q - Those won't stay white very long and....
AT - I like my grips. So shut up.
Q - So what exactly did he do.
AT - Well if you'd stop talking about my white grips I could tell you. Ca'mon, stay focused.
Q - Sorry, continue.
AT - So the plan was to do 4 laps at the Tree Farm. Keep the heart rates down and pace ourselves to make the distance. So the first lap he was point. Was going well until he took a spill about 15 mins in. He was okay but I took point. I lapped us around and we came in just under 53 mins. Second lap I could feel us moving faster....man this water is cold......and although I mentioned the pace a couple times he didn't seem to want to slow down. We lapped through more than 2 mins faster than the previous. We were both feeling okay but we had to roll by the cars to drop off empty bottles, grab some full ones and some more food. We still had 2 more laps to go. As we started the third lap I was point and made it a point to slow us down. The previous week when I was point Diesel mentioned that I was pulling faster than him so I made a conscious effort to keep us in check today. So this lap we took easier, because of me, but about 9 miles in I hit a thick patch of dead pine needles and went down. No harm done. Bounced back up and off we went. We saw more traffic on this loop but still came in at 54 minutes. Diesel was to point the last lap so at the turn we made the switch and off we went. Pace was good and we seemed on track to do another 53-54. But about 4 miles in we came across a pack of 9 and had to wait for a clearing to pass. It slowed us a little but we were in no rush. A few minutes later they let us by and our pace stepped back up. so the riding was going well, conversation was happening and then all of a sudden around mile marker 5, which after 3 and half loops actually put us at 35 miles (3 hours into the ride) Diesel accelerated.
Q - Were you in a fun section?
AT - Yes, and that's what I thought was going on so I revved it up a tad but did not match his pace figuring he'd slow back down. But he didn't! He seemed to go faster. So I gathered myself, took one last deep belly breath and then went on the chase. We did a little yo yo-ing through the tighter sections where he'd creep away a little but as soon as it opened up a little and I was able to get into a bigger gear I would quickly close the gap. This went on for a good 10 minutes until be broke the pace and let off the gas. Before I said anything to him all I could think of was that Diesel, the guy I have been riding with for 7 years, just attacked 3 hours into what was going to be a 3.5 hour ride. I was amazed, surprised and pissed at the same time.
Q - Pissed?
AT - Gosh am I hungry.....yes pissed. He attacked me....ME....on an endurance ride. He has never had that kind of power after 2 hours of riding let alone 3.
Q - This is good for the Club though, right?
AT - Yes, and that's what kept me calm. But I couldn't help to think he was going to mount another attack at the Trenches where it gets super tight. But luckily he didn't. With about a mile and a half to go he asked me if I had any drink to spare and I passed over an extra bottle to him. I should have made him promise not to take off again before giving it to him but I could see he was spent.
Q - So he was done.
AT - No, no, no. He finished strong and rolled into the parking lot just over the goal I had of 3.5 hours. What an impressive ride by him. He has made huge gains since last year and now has me thinking I need to step up my training a little.
Q - What's that noise?
AT - The drain. Water is getting warm. Time to take a shower.
Q - Well, thank you for your time. Good luck this season and we hope to catch up with you again soon.
AT - Yeah, I better go 'cause if I drop my wife's cell phone into the tub she'll f...(pzzzzzzzzzzzzzt.) . . . . .
