Old bikes still go fast.
by Clint Hosman on September 19th, 2007
So here in AZ you have to get out early to beat the heat in September. Yea it sucks but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger….and angrier like say when you and your training partner get jumped by 20 roadies rolling on tubular tires and 7000 dollar bikes. Let it be known that the Hosman brothers while good mountain bikers who take great pride in our Blingtastick mountain bikes are not so hip to the road side of things. I ride a 2002 Scattante from SuperGo that I am proud to say has never seen the in side of a shop from the day she was bought. Travis is rockin a 1995 Lemond Steel frame with eight speed. The road has been a means to an end and not much more.
So we are out early Saturday doing two laps around a local training route known as Usury Pass. From our houses it is a long 65 - 70 mile ride with some big climbs. We are starting lap two and crossed an intersection just in time to meet a group of 20 guys rockin all the new hardware from a northern California bike company that will remain nameless. They of course where decked out in all the bike company team gear that seems request for every poser. As we passed the intersection with the group filing in behind the final peace to a bike street fight was added when a Tri guy in the typical tankini blew by all of us in full aero mode. Now the fuse was lit and the pack took off after the tri guy at full speed leaving Travis and I behind. Having made the approaching climbs already I was not motivated to get crazy with these guys but Travis had a different idea, pulling up along side me I heard him say ” O, hell no.” and I knew it was on if I liked it or not. Off we charged into combat.
Catching the group was no big deal but once inside it was a bee hive of roaring tubular wheels. Soon we hit a descent called King Kong and the whole pack took to the car lane. I got down as low as I could and weaved my way to the front group that had now thinned out to about 10 of the fastest, I could hear the remainder behind yelling in frustration about their group ride turning into a drag race. No amount of crying could keep the battle from continuing as the road flattened again. The Tri guy fell to the power of the pack as riders jockeyed for position for the approaching climb. Travis took the lead as we approached the first climb, Baby Kong, A deceiving pitch that turns to the right mid way canceling its true length. The remaining combatants grouped together at the base with me assuming fifth position and Travis falling in behind. I geared up for the climb as one of the riders pulled along side me and said “Your bike sure rattles a lot doesn’t it.” With a quick check of my 6 I made my move pulling out to the left as the incline began. I stomped on the rickety pedals and began to separate from the train. I could hear Travis behind me and soon saw him leap past me and complete the climb. We didn’t look back for a mile or so but when we did there was no one to be seen.
Ghetto bike or not maybe next time these guys will see the Evomo jersey, they will pay more respect.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Thats a great story. Those roadies always think they can take on anything that moves on two wheels.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Right on! I always say that if you are riding the top of the line stuff and boasting about it (and worse yet, criticising someone elses ride) you had better be able to back it up because it sure isn’t the bike that makes a rider good or not. I like riding and racing the road but sometimes the clique that goes with it is too hard to stomach. Those cats need to relax and have a few Fat Tires.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:55 am
That was a pretty accurate description. Clint hates riding with me sometimes cuz, im allways bird doggin roadies to blow up on my 27 lb road bike. Its a fatal charachter flaw of mine, Im definatley more Fight than Flight. Its great to get some Ownage on the High doller boys, once and a while. That pic above is about how my bike looks to.
September 21st, 2007 at 3:15 am
Absolutely classic! There is no better responce to “Your bike sure rattles a lot doesn’t it.” than to blow him and his band of pretty boys smooth off the road.