Pack Fodder

The weather had improved dramatically. There was a slight crisp to sunny air that could’ve been a fall afternoon. But it was a spring morning. Fresh off their disintegration in yesterday’s race, the Cat 4 peloton began the day inauspiciously and cautiously.

Our hero, the young Jacob Dodson was still smarting after the betrayal of his saddle the day before and the fact that when showering he had forgotten to move his towel over, and had then gotten the floor wet. He arrived this day looking for victory, but a quick survey of his legs the first two laps showed him that this wasn’t going to be achieved. Amidst the almost 100 riders there, he soon became lost amongst his thoughts, and drifted into a daze, thinking weird thoughts. This is where our story begins.


Jacob: What weird thoughts I’m thinking.

Jacob: Wim Vansevenant! Three-time winner of the Lantern Rouge! I thought you were retired?
Wim: Yes, but I have returned to the sport of cycling to race 4s at Pace Bend. It is where heroes go to die.
Jacob: How tragic yet inspiring.
Wim: The Lantern Rouge does this to you. But enough about me, how are you doing?

Jacob: It’s an odd state Wim. I don’t like the easiness of the race, but I’m not in a position to do anything about it; I’m still sore from yesterday.
Wim: You are a worthless hypocrite. You are not the change you want to see. Listen to Ghandi. I’ve been reading him since I retired. I’m leaving you now.

Stricken by the words of the wise Wim, Jacob returned to solitude in his thoughts. If he couldn’t be the change, he’d at least think happy thoughts. 



Then Wim returned, somewhat spectrally, into his mind.



Wim: Use the force, Jacob.

Jacob made a move; a reconnaissance if you will. Other riders melted around him like women, and he was towards the front. Suddenly, there was a sound like a tent rending itself in agony, a curious little scream, and a rider went down behind him, with Jacob just narrowly escaping. Humbled by what could’ve been a brush with the pavement, still feeling his heroic efforts from the day before, and wanting to return to his previous weird thoughts, Jacob returned to the back of the pack, lost his thoughts.



And there he stayed. Until the very end. Getting 75th.

Next week: Tales from the Peloton continues with Lago Vista! Last year our intrepid hero placed 9th, will it be so friendly this year? Will his new saddle continue to impress? Will it be followed by an adventurous tale that forgets to bring up the things that he had brought up in the previous installment? There’s only one way to find out!

And so he rides on…