I rode along the now familiar roads, checking in every now and then with the weather, but mostly just enjoying the fact that the roads WERE not familiar, and that I finally COULD piece together a longish ride without becoming lost.
As I rode, though, the temperature started to drop, which made my nose start to run.
Ugh.
Cyclists at this point usually perform what is known as a snot rocket. It's gross and wildly effective and elusively complicated. The mechanics? Close up one nostril, lean to the side, and blow as hard as you can.
Boom. Snot rocket.
Of course, to the beginner, all that happens is you get snot all over yourself. Or you close up your throat mid blow and choke. Or you don't get enough oomph and it just sort of oozes all over your face.
So.
I had yet to perfect this cycling necessity, another Must Have to become really Pro on the bike. Failed attempts and embarrassing aftermath kept me away.
Yet here I was, completely solo, my nose dripping annoyingly, incessantly, towards the end of hour 1 of a 3+ hour ride.
It was time.
I leaned as far over to the left as I could, plugged up the right nostril, made the sign of the cross in my head, and went for it.
The result? Well, I could breath through it, so that was victory #1.
Then I looked down at my left shoulder, arm, and leg. All clean! Victory #2 had been achieved!
I repeated with the right nostril, and then kept repeating as needed throughout the ride.
Finally, I had conquered the elusive snot rocket technique.
I am now one step closer to Pro status. I've yet to show off my new skill during a group ride, but rest assured, the time will come. And I will walk away clean.
Depending upon the way the wind is blowing, you might not be so lucky.
But that's another blog post.
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