The Art Of eBay And The Racing Wheels
TIMER READY?
BUYER READY?
5-4-3-2-1 GO!
The phone rings at 7AM. It’s my coach. He barks through the phone “get online, we have 10 minutes before the bidding closes for the wheels we want, I ‘m training a client, so you have to win them”.
I have one eye open, I’m still dreaming about ice-skating with the Care Bears and I’m having a hard time with overall motor skills much like Wall• e. I stagger over to my MAC and start typing. It’s a good day as I’m able to get onto the Internet. Technology and I seem to always have a difference of opinion; I want it to work and it… does not. But today, it all seems to be humming along on my terms.
About a month ago I started thinking about my upcoming race season and the different tracks I was going to be competing on across the state. Then I thought about the fantastic set of $5,200 Mavic carbon race wheels with the $400 in Dugast handmade silk tubular tires I race on and… sccrreeechhed to a synaptic halt.! “Wait, I can’t ride those wheels and tires on these tracks, they’ll be Fetuccini in
half a lap”.
And so started the quest for a set of track wheels that could perform on some of California’s less than exceptional tracks. As a matter of fact, I am certain one of them doubles as a high school gym track!
Anyway, I’m waiting for the EBay clock to wind down as I have been told to bid in the last remaining minute. I have never bought anything on EBay until now, this moment, this last remaining minute. I stare at the screen. Why isn’t the clock changing? How does this deal work anyway? I start clicking the page and find a bidding window. Yes! The clock has changed; I have 5 minutes and 45 seconds. I start toggling back and forth between pages so I can see what the clock is doing.” Gotta wait, not time yet”. Geez, I’m starting to sweat. I don’t know, will 50 bids coming flying in like pigeons on a courthouse sandwich? Will I be dropped by the pack? Miss the break? God, this is far more nerve racking than racing.
Breathe Lauren Breathe!
One minute left. It’s time to bid! Go-go-go!
I enter the number. But wait! Other bids have already come in ahead of me. I’m not winning! I toggle, I have 10 seconds! I throw down my final bid and click the button…3-2-1. It’s over.
I hold my breath staring at the screen waiting for the result. Was I fast enough? Did someone out there in my virtual race for wheels do a bike throw? Who was the winner?
Then the screen flashes and I see I have won my wheels.
Yes! Another sprint finish to add to my cycling resume.
Hey, you gotta be fast out there, even when there’s no pedaling.
I’m exhausted, exhilarated, and definitely in need of a shower.
Categories: Hub, Humor, Lauren Jacobsen
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