);

Uh oh, here comes the One Upper…

At my place of employment, I will encounter an individual that knows I ride. So anytime he comes in he seems to have this need to one up me. If you’re not too familiar on what the term One Up means, check out this video.

Ok now that we have the definition in mind. Here’s today’s conversation, we’ll call him “Chaz” to hide his identity.

Chaz walks into my office, “What’s up bro! You been riding?”

RL: “I only rode once this week…”(I get interrupted)

Chaz: “Yah I just rode Bonelli Park with some of my other friends who ride. One of them is a cop who can get discounts on shipping!”

RL: (I’m thinking, what does that Cop have anything to do with riding)”That’s cool…”(I get interrupted again)

Chaz: “I’m unemployed right now, but I’m thinking of doing this 2 day ride in Hawaii. My wife and I have friends that live in Hawaii. You ever been to Hawaii?”

RL: “No.”

Chaz:”Well when you can afford to someday, make sure you go!”

RL: I nod…

Chaz: “So you been riding anywhere else other than the Fullerton Loop?”

RL: (I try to respond, but I get cut off)

Chaz: “Yah I’ve been RUNNING up Turnbull Canyon, yeah I figured the Loop is too easy, so I gotta up my game.”

RL: I nod…

Chaz: “You still riding THAT KHS?”

RL: before I could respond…

Chaz:”Yeah, I’m thinking of getting that new carbon IBIS, that thing is bad ass with its disc brakes. But for now I have a road bike that I use to train with 4 hours a time, a few days a week. Do you have a road bike?”

RL: “I do.”

Chaz:”I’m planning on doing that ride from San Francisco to LA on my road bike soon.”

RL: “Oh really?”

Chaz:”Yah you’d have to be in great shape to do that.”

This is a true story, it happened just right now, 12:05pm 05/03/2010. Chaz comes in to my office every few months and brings up the carbon Ibis, disc brakes, and his Hawaii ride every time I see him. I always get a laugh at guys like him that always see a need to one up and make themselves sound important.