Who Needs a Vespa if you can have a BERMAN?!!!

I got me a Berman! But just for a few days.

A Berman

I'm excited because one of my friends is passing through town again and FINALLY I'm able to ride with him. You see, I, too, used to be a Berman. You might recognize my Bermanese from magazine covers such as 2011 Bicycle Paper Northwest Race Guide. (Hee hee, snort snort *blush *blush)

Wait did I say covers as in plural? This was my first...Ok. Ok. I was once on the front page of my family newsletter growing up (My sister and I would make newsletters to let my mother know the status of the household.), but I was the editor, too, and quoted myself so it really doesn't count.

Pulling that Clip Art Floppy

Anyway, back to the story of my Berman. So Berman had to do a 4-5 hour workout consisting of tempo, base, tempo and sprint intervals. So, it worked out well because I could sit on his wheel and still maintain my tempo pace. It was human moto-pacing! All was well in the world of Wheeler.

But then my Berman started to create chaos by re-routing the tempo down a 15-mile dirt road. I got to the dirt road and immediately put on my brakes when I saw a sign that said "Pavement Ends Ahead" and then "No Pavement for 50 miles." I said calmly, "Amelia doesn't ride on dirt. She's a lady."

But the Berman didn't want to hear this and began his escape.

Berman Escaping

And, of course, I will not be left out, so Amelia Roadhart and I sucked it up and began the trek. At first I was a bit overcautious as I had never ridden a road bike on gravel and bumps for so long. And during the first couple passes over the ruts and rumble strips, I swooned and said to Amelia, "Lawdy child! I do believe I have a spell of whiplash!" but not really--just a little drama practice.

But then we got the swing of it and I let go of the brakes, took pressure off the handlebars and followed the snaking tire track of the Berman ahead of me. After a few miles, we were flying, and Amelia Roadhart became Amelia "Dirt"hart for the day, and I had visions of me showing up to a cyclocross race or the X-Games on my Amira--because I'm sure they're all JUST LIKE THIS ROAD. I was in the zone. Bunny hopping and gaining a mad 3cm AT LEAST. I was very proud of my steed and my wheels and tires for taking the abuse. Not once did I think I was going to fall or worry about popping my tires. Thinking about falling=falling.

I guess you could say I was in the zone, until I pulled up to this carnage. Berman Down! Berman Down!

Carnage

 I traded a tube for a modeling expose of Amelia "Dirt"hart and myself.

Hands on the Hips and Pop

Finally the Berman was fixed and then we proceeded to finish the final hour of intervals on the 5 hour 96 mile ride. Yep. It was an epic day.

One deserving steak with Christy and Berman. See video below.