October 2018 wrapped Yang Cheng Lake in a soft, cool autumn glow, and that day, RAW’s 120KM qualification ride felt like both a test and a gift—all because of my new steel road bike, “Saturday.” The goal was clear: finish strong to earn a spot in the upcoming 2-day, 300KM Tai Lake ride. I’d been nervous about the distance before, but standing next to “Saturday” at the starting line, its lightweight frame and smooth tires looking ready to go, my worry melted into excitement.
When the whistle blew, I pushed off, and “Saturday” responded like it was reading my mind. Unlike my old mountain bike, which had felt clunky on long stretches, this custom road bike glided over the lakeside pavement. The handlebars fit my hands perfectly (thanks to that earlier bike fitting), and every pedal stroke felt efficient—no wasted energy, just steady forward momentum. I kept a comfortable pace, watching the golden leaves drift from trees and the lake’s surface sparkle in the sun, and before I knew it, I’d passed the 50KM mark without even feeling the usual leg burn.
By the time I hit 100KM, I still had energy left—enough to chat briefly with a few RAW mates who’d caught up. We laughed about how the ride was easier than we’d feared, and I couldn’t help but mention how “Saturday” was a game-changer. Crossing the finish line felt almost effortless; I checked my watch and smiled—way under the cutoff time, and I’d qualified for Tai Lake.
But the adrenaline faded fast once I got on the car ride home. I sank into the passenger seat, “Saturday” safely secured in the trunk, and let my eyes flutter shut. The hum of the engine and the tired ache in my legs turned into a lullaby, and I was fast asleep before we’d even left Yang Cheng Lake’s outskirts. Waking up when we got home, I felt that good kind of tired—the kind that comes from acing a challenge, and knowing my new bike had my back every kilometer of the way.
