When Freds are finished being Freds, they either retire to the couch or move on to become Fasties. These Fasties regularly follow "the rules", often without even knowing about them. Their equipment is top notch and well-maintained. Their bodies are fit from cycling, as well as cross-training. They wear precisely the right kit for conditions.
When I showed up to my first Sauvie Shootout, I already knew I'd be the lone Fred, or Wilma, among a group of sharp Fasties. I arrived five minutes early, prepared as well as I could be for the rain. My bike was equipped with full fenders, including buddy flaps. I wore a wool layer under my raincoat, water resistant bibs and booties. Like a baby, I was fully swaddled and ready to squall.
Everyone was friendly, despite their serious athletic looks, and we rolled out just after 9am. I managed to stay with the group as we wove our way through the Pearl District to that steep little downhill leading to Saint Helens Road and Highway 30. The stale green light the Fasties enjoyed was red for me.
In the ride description, the leader suggested the inevitable flat tire sufferers ride the Island in a counter-clockwise direction so finding the group would be easy. I saw one, then another, road side flat fixers. Courtesy demands cyclists offer each other assistance, but I knew these riders had it all so I just said hello. Finally, many raindrops later, I arrived on the island and decided to ride counter-clockwise, even though I hadn't been slowed down by a flat.
It was a very wet day. The rain never let up, the road was good and soaked, and many lowland fields had become nice little lakes. Continuing on, huffing and puffing, I pushed to chase the invisible nemesis of the group. They appeared on the horizon, like a speedy little wagon, a posse of five or six riders almost blind from pouring on the effort.
Another dude fixing a flat appeared in the ditch. About ten minutes later, he passed me. A few minutes after that, a drizzle of riders chasing the initial pack went by in the other direction. Everyone looked blurry to me.
I had planned to skip the store, but saw another flatted rider there, so I stopped to say hello. His frame pump's mouth had been uncovered and full of grit so he gratefully borrowed my tiny travel pump. I'll blame that few minute hiatus for the group beating me off the island after their two laps to my one.
Aptly named, the Sauvie Shootout is like a small caravan riding like they're being chased, losing riders along the way and never looking back. I was glad to get my heart rate up, eat a fat slice of humble pie, and get shot off the back by the Fasties, and I can't wait to go again.
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