Did I mention that I was racing this Tuesday evening? No?
Well the reason I didn’t tell you that I was racing is because I did not know that I was racing either.
Here’s how it happened. I biked to the big city today to watch my little brother’s soccer game (he scored two goals and his team won, yay!) and to do some clothes shopping. It turned out to be a 60 mile trip in total.
The ride home was beautiful. I saw the sun set in the west and then a gloriously orange harvest moon appear in the east. So big and so bright! As the sky grew black, it’s light became even more brilliant.
About twelve miles from home I passed through a small village. An Amish horse and buggy pulled onto the road right behind me.
And that, my friends, was the beginning of my first ever eight mile road race. (But not my first ever Amish horse and buggy race.)
For the first few miles I was able to keep the pounding horse hooves at bay, but as I was climbing a hill, the clatter of horse and wheels grew loud and I knew the safe, courteous thing to do was let them pass me. So I eased up while they overtook me.
I was able to get a good view of the vehicle and its occupants. This wasn’t a typical closed buggy but a open, lighter carriage. Seated in the carriage were an Amish couple and I am going to go out on a limb here and say that they were two young lovebirds out for a nighttime drive.
They continued down the road setting a pace of 17-18 mph. Once I got over the hill I was able to catch up to them and I spent the next mile or so biding my time to attack. We came upon a slight downhill grade and I went for it, crouching into the drops and pedaling like mad.
Three miles later they caught up to me, again while I was on a hill. (Someone needs to work on her climbing skills…) This time when they passed me it was with clear intent. No more games, they were in it to win it. But so was I. So I clung as close as I dared as they ramped up the speed to 20-21 mph.
Passing cars must have observed us quizzically. A bike with flashing lights following behind an Amish carriage with flashing lights. It is an odd combination, I admit.
I had caught my breath while following behind the clattering wheels and now the question became, when do I make my move and win this thing for good? We were coming up a small slope and I decided to attack once we were over the rise, if the coast was clear.
I took one last swig from my water bottle and mentally prepared myself. This time I wasn’t gonna back down. Full throttle all the way. But as I was thinking these motivational thoughts, the horse and carriage turned left, off the road.
NOO!!! Game over. I lost!
But even though I lost, the last four miles of my ride felt like winning. I passed another horse and buggy and I went full throttle anyway even though there was no one left to race. I pulled into my yard feeling like a million bucks. As I took my dogs for a walk, I could feel the effects of my ride, my body was flooded with a crazy rush of endorphins.
I had the time of my life riding furiously in the crisp night air. And from the way the Amish couple looked back at me, I am pretty sure they did too. The attitude of the horse, however, is unknown.
I do have some major bones to pick with the race organizers though. Can’t they at least inform all participants in a race where the finish line is located?
Thanks for the hilarious read! I needed it today.
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Glad I could help out 🙂
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You didn’t mention the cow!
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Yeah, it was a really friendly herd of cows. The one in the picture licked my hand, it must have tasted salty! That happened before nightfall and before the start of the race.
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Don’t worry. You’ll get them next time…either that or the race organizers will have to test their buggy for illegal speed enhancements.
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Oh my goodness, you think they were cheating!?!?!
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You can’t be too careful. You never know what kind of carbon modifications they might have made. I once saw an Amish buggy beat a Lamborghini Diablo.
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A Lamborghini? Well, now I know why I didn’t win!
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Great read Bri.
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Thanks 🙂
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LOL! Nice.
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No, not nice. I lost and probably by now the entire Amish community in my area is talking about it 😀
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Great read Bri. No chance of racing anything except other cyclists and the occasional chasing dog where I am!
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See, that is my problem. I haven’t been able to race any cyclists around here all summer so I am forced to get my racing fix from tractors and horses.
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What makes you think the race is over? What makes you think the finish line is anywhere in sight? The horse knows, that’s why he keeps his attitude expressions in check. Horse’ll be smiling at the finish line when he crosses it. How do I know this? Cause i’m a horse and we know things…it’s just a little difficult typing.
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Wow, you are one talented horse. You realize you could make a fortune by going on TV shows or writing a book or something, right? A typing horse? The public would gobble (not literally) that right up!
Oh yeah, I guess horses don’t care about making millions…I always forget how smart animals are!
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I hope they bring this event into the next Olympics.
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It would more popular than gymnastics and swimming for sure-no one can resist the sight of a buggy clattering alongside a speeding cyclist.
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Not something you get to see here in the UK
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I think my area should become a hot spot for vacationing cyclists. They can come here and race horses 🙂
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The soccer game and night got my attention and I think you know why. Iou had an encouter with the Amish. I had an encounter with a Hunter.
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We both got to watch awesome winning games and bike under the light of the beautiful moon 🙂
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Bet you would have won if they hadn’t turned off…
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Yeah, I really think I would have. But do you know what bugs me? I don’t know for sure! I want a rematch 🙂
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Love it! That’s a great story Bri 🙂 I think the Amish couple probably had a good story to take home that night too. Good fun!
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I’ll remember it for a long time! It was special 🙂
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