Rites of Passage

So after mentioning the cycling rites of passage in my last entry I decided to take a look and see if there actually was a list of the rites of passage.  I found a list made up by Bicycling magazine at Bicyling.com and thought it was hilarious.  The article can be found here: Rites of Passage Article

These are just a few of my favorites "rite of passage" that I've actually accomplished (or have come close to accomplishing).

01. Realizing that the hill isn't in the way; it is the way.
02. You go from one pair of shorts to a dedicated drawerful. 
06. Bonking so bad you don't think you'll be able to make it home.
08. Starting and finishing a ride—the same one—in pouring rain. 
10. When your bike computer registers triple digits for one ride.
16. You stop riding beside and behind the pack and instead ride inside of it—with no claustrophobia.
18. You blow a snot rocket without hitting your shoulder or leg—or the rider behind you.  (Still working on that one!)
20. You get stuck in your pedals and topple over at a stoplight. (Not at a stoplight.  I have a better stoplight story though.)
22. Riding a bike through a big, congested city and feeling smarter than everyone else because you're moving.
26. Wearing out your first set of tires.
31. Fixing a busted chain.  
32. When you no longer have to stop to take off your jacket.
35. Planning a riding vacation.
36. Seeing a sunrise from the saddle.
37. Wondering how the biggest local hill would rank on the Tour de France climb classification.
42. Rolling through a stop sign—and knowing it was the right thing to do.
43. Doored!
45. Rubbing wheels—and staying up.  (Sorry Sarah.  She didn't make it)
52. Endo.
56. Figuring out how to layer without overdressing.
57. Deciding which car to buy in part based on how it will carry your bikes. 
59. Riding on a day so cold the water in your bottle freezes.
67. Naming a route.
70. Developing that "V" of muscle definition on the back of your calf.
81. Explicating your training in exquisite detail on a blog, then realizing nobody cares.
84. Riding someplace you've always driven.
85. Outsprinting a crazed dog. 
106. Feeling superstrong, then turning around for the ride back and realizing you had a tailwind.
109. Reading a rites of passage list and finding that your own favorite one is missing.