Aerobars and Horse Pucky

Yes, my favorite picture of them was taken in my nasty garage

Friday I took the next step in pretending I am a triathlete. I got aerobars! I decided to go with the RedShift Clip-on system mostly because the DCRM review of them was pretty great and because I could easily (get my husband to) remove them.

Tiny bit crooked!

I took them out on the Nashua River Rail Trail figuring that would be a nice flat, relatively safe place to practice. I was wrong. I went around 10:30 and the Rail Trail was VERY busy. I spent most of the time dodging runners, casual cyclists, and the dreaded roller skaters... I got down into aero as much as possible but I was constantly jumping back up to swerve around people. At least it was good practice switching positions!

Oh, about the horse pucky... I was riding along on the rail trail and I saw some horseback riders. I slowed down, moved over and jokingly said "I'll trade with ya!", they laughed and said "no way!". Totally understandable. Passed another pair and said hello. So far I was enjoying seeing the horses out there. Then I get to the next pair and moved over, slowed down, greeted them and got yelled at. One of the riders was like "MOVE OVER AND SLOW DOWN WHEN PASSING HORSES!". I didn't respond. I was angry! I DID move over and I DID slow down. I got even angrier when there were about 5 riders and horses completely blocking the path and then I practically rode through horse pucky! I am now determined to find the barn responsible and lodge a complaint. If you have to pick up after your pets on the trail you damn well have to pick up after your HORSES.

Anyway less venting, more aero-experimenting! Aero position is not easy. I had more than a few "oh, shit!" moments. I don't really have a solid enough core so every time I went to switch I was fairly unstable. I guess that means more plank time for me!

I've got my first Olympic Triathlon this weekend at the Pitch Pine Challenge! Bring it on!