Lance found himself in the middle of the peloton, drafting to conserve energy. Months of hard training had paid off and he was in the best shape of his life. Riding now across the picturesque land of small farms and orchards he was conserving his energy for the hills ahead and then the expected sprint to the finish of the long ride. The riders in this group were all experienced and rode with wheels and handlebars nearly touching, cruising at 35 miles per hour. Probably because he had been in this position many times before and felt a certain level of confidence, he allowed his mind to wander for a moment.
He remembered vividly his first big bike ride. As a teenager his mother had bought him his first road bike. He was competitive in everything and she knew he needed an outlet for his energy. That first bike was nothing like the one he rode now - carbon fiber and light - but he loved it and he was on it many hours every day. An older friend had suggested that he come to a local bike club ride and even though he was years younger than the riders, he joined in, just for fun. It had been a race from the beginning. These young, fast riders always competed. He struggled to keep up but couldn't. He found them gathered around and talking as they waited at the end point of the ride and he vowed never to be last again.
They reached the first hill, a series of steep little climbs. The lead riders inched ahead leaving him a small opening. He seized the opportunity and with a burst squeezed through the hole into the lead. Standing on the pedals now and allowing his strong legs and body weight to do much of the work, he breezed to the top of the first hill. Tucking low over the bars, he crested the hill and began a hair-raising decent, picking up speed and momentum for the next climb. Looking back under his right arm he could see the pack close behind. The hills behind now, he allowed them to catch up, and tucking in behind, found time to eat a high-energy bar and sip his sport drink. He toyed with them in hopes of tiring them out.
They passed through a small town. Would-be athletes and gawkers watched as they sped by. One kid ran beside them for a few yards, living out his fantasy of future glory. They rode on into a strong headwind. Tucking over the bars and making themselves as aerodynamic as possible, they labored toward another steep climb. A sudden rain shower did nothing to slow them but dampened the road, making crashes and injuries more possible. But Lance and his fellows were experienced and undeterred.
Roadside activity picked up as they neared the finish and finally the sign at the finish came into view. Charged with energy now, the sprint was on. Bodies heaved from side to side, bikes surged, fell back, surged again. Searching for the best position he bided his time, just behind and to the left of two other riders. They failed to see him, being more concerned with each other. With just 50 yards to the finish he began his final sprint past the preoccupied leaders, crossing the finish line - into the Fred Meyers parking lot - Lance Anderson - the winner of the Wednesday Night Mount Adams Bike Club Naches Loop Fun Ride.
Written by - Jeff Nelson