Do I flatter myself that I have an aerodynamic build?

Maybe I do. I have narrow, sloping shoulders; and my bust is hardly worthy of the name.

Much of my bulk is below the waist; a physique I inherited from my paternal grandmother. I have short legs; and no matter how much weight I lose, my legs will look heavy. I was well into my twenties before I came to grips with that fact!

So, how muscular and strong are those legs of mine? I suspect that they aren\’t as strong as I wish, or I\’d be faster on the bike by now! Maybe I need more squats and lunges off the bike?

It would help my aerodynamics if I rode in the drops more. When I\’m riding before daylight, it seems to me that I can see ahead better if I\’m not in the drops; and that\’s important. It\’s even more important on a foggy morning like today.

Another reason I don\’t stay in the drops for long at a time is, I haven\’t yet learned how to manage a water bottle while in the drops. Water-bottle handling can be awkward when I\’m riding on the hoods! I wonder, am I truly a roadie?

Riding in the drops can get uncomfortable quickly when I have a loaded Camel-Bak along for the ride. I notice that day before yesterday, when I was out for my long ride. At least I\’m not too bad at grabbing the Camel-Bak\’s drinking tube while in the drops; and that\’s a start.

Aerodynamics is also about having minimal flap from clothing, etc. That\’s a requirement I certainly don\’t meet!

But as long as my build is aerodynamic — or do I flatter myself?