Double trouble

To Choa Chu Kang, Tuas, 181 km. It's time to see how my new crankset fares with the Thomson Sunday roadies. I blow up after hitting 42 km/h; I just can't keep up that pace. I slow down and overtake two pockets of resting roadies. Crank is smooth and I hit 37 km/h even after an hour of hard riding. But it's hubris to think my heavy steel steed can keep up with titanium or carbon road bikes. It's hubris also to think I can do two hard rides in one day. But who is to know today's NUS centennial training ride would be mainly hardcore mountain bikers. The lead rider on a titanium Dean and knobbies sets the pace, followed by a full-suspension on slicks. Mr Dean cranks out a mean 37 km/h. Here we go again. I guzzle and gobble at rest stops to keep up. And crap twice after that. Still, the ride shows I don't have to adjust my cleats; there's no knee pain. (No. of near accidents: 4)