As I was laying in the dentist’s chair having my teeth cleaned I thought about the ride to work from the dentist’s office. It would start with a four mile downhill dash to downtown Portland. I was not looking forward to that part of the ride. Earlier in the morning, when I made the decision to ride, I’d anticipated the climb up that hill. It’s about three or four percent. Enough to notice, enough to slow me down but all in all an easy climb.
Out of the chair I was pleased to find a strong enough headwind that I had to pedal to keep up speed going down the hill. From downtown to work I pedaled 15 miles (24 km) into a 20 mph (32 km/h) headwind – singing little made up songs about how my friend the headwind was rushing to see me, had missed me and wanted to give me big windy hugs.
What happened to the rider who grimaced at hills and whined about headwinds?
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