5/8/09 Government Canyon

Every time I get on the bike, the first thing I think is, "I'm really out of shape."  And, usually, that bears true when everyone else I ride with rides away from me from the git-go.   Occasionally, though, I'm reminded that I'm not in as bad shape as I could be.  Today, I rode with a friend who is a good rider but who has suffered from back problems lately and hasn't been on the bike much.  I spent the day waiting on him.  His skills were fine, but his fitness just wasn't there.  Which reminded me of an old term for guys hanging off the back: "sweat rag."  That's when there's one guy slower than the rest, and everyone stops to wait on him at every corner.  The rest of the people get nice and rested waiting for him, but he gets his ass kicked trying to keep up.  In the end, he usually is covered in sweat and mopping up behind everyone, hence the term "sweat rag."