In my mid-30s. I took up triathlons. I swam distance from age group to college and ran 10Ks and marathons. I rode a bike as a kid, so how hard could it be?
Well, my first race I'm out the water in the top three, hop on the bike and away I go. Within a mile, I learned it's harder than it looks. Guys were going past me like I was standing still. So I find a bike shop, get a better bike, join their group rides and try to improve.
Gave up running a while back, but kept up the cycling -- there's an organized ride from the shop every Saturday, I go solo on Sunday. There's three groups: under 16, 16-18, and 18-20. You hang with whatever group you can for as long as you can or cut it off early. The goal is to be back around two hours before traffic gets too dangerous.
The group rides are amiable, social competition; you can challenge yourself as much as you want or are able. And it's way more aerobic than golf.
In mid-May, Johnny, the neighbor at the head of the cul-de-sac, stopped by with a 20 something fellow in tow. He introduced Ian as Sharon's son, a grad student in DC and summer visitor/thesis researcher who was in town until mid-August---an innocent victim of lease issues. Ian tolerated the dig and rendered a firm handshake. Turns out Ian rides, Johnny mentioned me, and so after a quick briefing to confirm he would fit (experience, equipment, pace) an invitation was issued for an 0645 departure on Saturday.
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He was ready on time. A brief once over told me he was a serious rider: Pearl Izumi bibs with a pro style jersey (skin tight). As I got out he was putting his heart monitor on and lubricating the 'hot spots' a/k/a the nipples.
"You chafe?" I asked, coming around to get his bike.
"Yeah," he said. "The price of using the monitor."
"What do you use?" I asked. "I sweat with enthusiasm and mine get irritated from the salt. I use Chap-Stick."
"I made up my own solution," he said. "Lift your jersey; I've still got some on my fingers."
So in microseconds I run the gamut of 'stay away you creep' to 'oh gee no thanks' to 'call his bluff'.
"OK---here," I said, lifting the jersey.
He grasped my ribs with his thumbs against my nipples. He rubbed them up and down and then in circles three time before dropping his hands.
"I think this is where you tuck a dollar bill in my waistband," I chuckled.
"You're dating yourself Mr. Rone, costs a lot more these days."
"Wouldn't know," I said. "My last experience was the Philippines, a long, long time ago."
"Well, you do have decent breasts, so I'm sure you'd make more. Johnny said you were a serious swimmer."
Pulling my jersey down, "yeah, when I can; depends on travel."
My nipples started to heat up and tingle a bit.
"What is that stuff?' I asked.
"It's a Carmex and Campho-Phenique mixture mainly. Lubricates, numbs and has a little zing to let you know it's working. Got it from a pharmacist friend," he said.
"Well, it's working," I said as I secured his bike to the truck bed.
"Yeah, that's what LL Mothers say when you tell them it stings," he chuckled.
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The ride when well. We stayed with the 18-20mph folks. He pulled his fair share, although I sensed he probably had another gear or two he was not using. His being 20 something, 5-10 and maybe 2% body fat helped. He also shaved his legs.
Everyone was safely back----bagels and liquids courtesy of a monthly deposit to the shop.
On the drive home we chatted about the course, and the car that jumped the stop sign.
I thanked him for pulling, noting I found myself on his rear wheel more often than not. He allowed as how he spent some time behind me as well.
Moments later we were swinging around into the driveway to the garage at the rear of the house.
I got his equipment bag while he got the bike. Following him into the garage, he stowed the bike and then took the bag. Pausing a moment as he opened it, he looked directly at me and asked, "Want another dose?"
"Huh?" I said.
"Nipple cream," he said smiling. "You got pretty sweaty."
"It's getting to be that time of year," I said hesitating. "Uhhh, yeah sure."
"Lift up," he says, not giving me the chance to put some on my fingers.
He unzips his jersey all the away so it falls open. A quick swipe from the jar and he is doing his while I watch his fingers circling and circling. I ought to make a quip but words fail me as his fingers make slow circles.
"Now you," he says as he takes another swipe. He steps in closer than he did earlier, putting his fingers on my ribs and his thumbs on my nipples.
Looking directly at me, I notice how brownish green his eyes are. I stare longer than I should while he continues to rotate his thumbs. The pressure is light, the strokes are smooth due to the lubrication. And then the menthol starts to work.
I suck in a breath.
"Feeling it?" he smiles.
"Yeah," I say reaching for his upper arms.
"Couple more strokes: let's get it massaged in good.
Now I'm holding the back of his arms as he massages, our chests almost touching. I'm still looking at his eyes.
A noise distracts me----their patio door opening.
"Ian?" Sharon calls. "You in the garage."
He smiles and shrugs. I let go of his arms and pull the jersey down, my nipples tingling from the heat.
"Yes ma'am. Mr. Rone was just dropping me off," he replies.