Modern Cyclist Magazine Issue 3, November 2014 | Page 36

The Cow girls have also
involved themselves with the
post winter rides.

MC rob’s ride

The End
f Winter
o
Story and photographs by Rob Riccardi

W

ith the chill of winter in quick
ebb, it’s with significant apprehension that I
have felt the uncomfortable swelling of the
girth after a few months of sloth watching
Le Tour and La Vuelta from the comfort
of my Lazy Boy and from behind a bag of
Doritos.
This has inspired a team challenge
between my fellow cyclists called Fat Boy
Fridays in an all out assault against the
extra weight gained during our hibernation.
Solidarity in the fight to regain our tight
abdominals and single jowls.

Not only are they “udderly
involved”, but the Fat Boy
Friday riders encourage
each other.

“No second helpings without waiting a
mandatory 15 minutes.”
“An apple on your way home to pacify
the pastry demons and to prevent
smashing several servings at dinner
including the kids’ leftovers.”
These are some of the group’s shared
gems. And they work.
This is not the time for half measures.
We are at war to lose excess weight
and prepare for the cycling season.

“An apple on
your way home to
pacify the pastry
demons and to
prevent smashing
several servings at
dinner including
the kids’ leftovers.”
36

Rob and his team of “Fat Boy Friday” survivors.

ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER 2014 / www.moderncyclist.co.za

Numerous forces conspire to ensure
our failure. The wafting aromas from
bakeries, the low-fat supersized
chocolate-covered protein bar at the
exit of the bike shop, and the allure of
the second slice of red velvet birthday
cake. The cookie jar tempts with her
siren voice every time I walk by the work
canteen for a cup of coffee. “Eat me,
fat boy, eat me,” it squeals in delight
beckoning me to my doom.
Some, we know who we are, take the
“lite” approach replacing everything