Mihael’s back with a series of columns on dumb things he’s done. This series could go one forever…

8 plus Dumb things I did related to bike racing

Everything is true and not exaggerated in the slightest bit.

@##=#<1,L>@##=#May 1986. Thanks to Chung Chiang one of the cofounders of the Stuyvesant High School team, and friend, (even before I spoke a word of English), I rode my first race. It was a High School series in Prospect Park. About 10 riders lined up. I was riding a Nashbar bike I bought myself that was on clearance. Complete racing bike, $250. It was way too big for me. A 25 inch, I currently ride what is equivalent to a 22 1/2 inch. They did not have centimeters back then. The seat was on the top tube. 1st dumb thing. Anyway, my Stuyvasant team mate, (even though I went to Queens Vocational High School), broke free from the field right away, I managed to stay with another rider, but told him I could not pull through because I was hurting too much. When I went to get my water bottle, I dropped it. 2nd dumb thing. I then asked the rider I was sitting on for some of his water, as I was very thirsty. He gave it to me. When I got to the finish line, I found it easy to sprint around him. He gave me a dirty look, I told him,