Parasite

Another cool and quiet morning. I encounter a bike commuter at Broadway and Granville. He is equipped with either a mountain bike with semi-slick tires or a road bike with pretty wide tires; he's pretty tall so I couldn't tell which. We pass each other for various traffic reasons until we get to the Lakefront Trail. On a pass while on the trail he indicates his leading is probably temporary. I retort by asking if he minds my drafting. I guess with my dropped handle bars or something he figures I'll be faster than him. After a while I pass him and he stays with me. Then somewhere around Montrose I begin to fade. He passes and drafting off him is the only thing that enables me to keep up. Every time we switch off I lead less and less. Then after North Avenue Beach he pretty much takes over the lead for good. My leaden legs just can't keep up. As acknowledgement of my lameness I compliment him on his ability to cut the wind. He responds with something but I can't hear him over my heavy breathing. At Randolph Street I pick up some speed and take over the lead again as a gesture of at least attempting to do my part. Fortunately he turns off at Monroe Street which allows me to limp on at a more realistic speed.

I am truly beat once I get to work. Normally I arrive feeling invigorated. But the strenuous pace is definitely wearing me down. I'm parking the bike until next week and will let my body recover.

Distance Traveled: 24.3 miles
Distance to date: 418.6 miles
Price of gas: $3.09