Are you holding the line?

Are you holding the line?

I got back in the saddle recently. For those of you that hate road cyclists - I do apologize - and can assure you we're doing our best to do two things:

  1. ride at times with the least amount of traffic
  2. stay out of your way

I am 100% a believer in the sport and in the mode of transportation. On the ride that I'm describing below - I burned 2,000 calories.

I've learned a lot on the bicycle - maybe it's because you have time to think - maybe it's because you are surrounded by a lot of very successful people - or maybe it's because you're on your own.

There isn't a lot of hiding on the bike - you can either keep up or get dropped by the group - and you can either fix a problem that occurs 30 miles from home or not.

Many thanks to my wife for the not scenarios!

But recently I had a tire issue while on a group ride and unbeknownst to me - the stem on a road bike tube has two pieces and if the main piece unscrews - your tire deflates and deflates quickly.

It can be dangerous at speed but luckily for me we were just getting moving from a stop when two things occurred: I felt my tire getting low and I could hear a feint whistle.

We pulled over (the entire group that is) and you feel terrible in that scenario - we're out there to exercise not do bike maintenance.

And my tire still looked full - everyone said to me are you sure it's going flat and in all honesty - surrounded by a bunch of people with a lot more experience - I wasn't sure.

But I knew something wasn't right so I held to that and a couple of more experienced riders looked it over and figured out that this valve had come loose. Not all the way off - all the way off would have meant immediate flat - but that's the process that this stem was in - it screws on - it was loose - and it was getting ready to come all the way off which would have meant two things - I'd have lost the stem and my tired would have gone from full to flat in seconds - possibly at 26mph - with a car beside me.

Not ideal.

I'd be writing this today covered in road rash or worse but I'm not because I stuck to my belief that there was an issue - explored the situation - and probably saved myself some serious issues.

I talk to people every day who experience these types of situations at work or at home or anywhere else. If you're out there in a situation like this where you know something is wrong - hold your line.

Good luck to everyone out there.

Adhip Ray

Startups Need Rapid Growth, Not Just Digital Impressions. We Help Create Omni-Channel Digital Strategies for Real Business Growth.

5mo

Staying true to your convictions can be challenging but rewarding. It's inspiring to hear your story of standing firm in the face of intimidation. At our digital marketing advisory firm, we believe in the power of resilience and leadership in navigating challenges. Keep pushing forward!

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