The Perfect Ride

Recently, a friend asked what constituted the Perfect Ride.

And even more recently, I was lucky enough to experience my answer first hand.

First, a perfect ride involves at least a dash (and hopefully more) of Epicness.  Distance, climbing, preferably a combination of the two.  The perfect ride is not SO epic, however, as to intimidate.  No 12% grade of gravel for 5 miles only to have a 12% 5 mile gravel descent awaiting on the other side.  Hard enough to be hard, not hard enough to be gut wrenching.

Second, a perfect ride needs a whole mess of friends along with you for the experience.  All friends need not be at the same fitness level, but all friends need to be willing to either step up and/or slow down to maintain a pace that the whole group can enjoy.

Third, a perfect ride needs a mix of tough and easy.  A nice talkable flat that is followed by a silent climb that is followed by a wicked fast descent.  Wash rinse repeat.

Fourth, a perfect ride needs a nice Store Stop.  If you can find some amazing espresso and homemade baked goods, all the better.  You stop long enough to catch your breath, but not so long that your legs are dead when you hop back on the bike.

Fifth, a perfect ride is not concerned in the least about how long the ride takes.  A perfect ride is flexible in route and mood of the attendees.  A perfect ride goes at its own pace.  No faster, no slower.

Last but not least in Sixth, a perfect ride has a group meal immediately following.  Mexican or Burgers are the best options.  Beer is a must.  This group meal may or may not be followed with icecream.

There are of course endless variations of this perfect ride.  My perfect ride may not be yours (especially if you mountain bike).  Your perfect ride may involve suffering until you puke, or crushing all of your ridemates, or peeing on your bike (Sorry triathletes, obligatory pee-on-bike dig, I love you!).

But regardless of the "what", all perfect rides create memories that last lifetimes.  They strengthen friendships.  They provide the best tasting food in the universe, Zaggat ratings be damned.

Most importantly, though perfect rides remind us why we ride in the first place.

Because riding is perfect.