. The start of a new "season" although from where I sit, or better said, "ride"; cycling has no season. Used to be there was a race season, but now with all the mountain biking and cross bike events the only off season is due to weather, health, or just plain fatigue. After a bit of an injury and then some surgery this past fall, I started back wih earnest on the bike at the first of the year. Up here in WNC that means alot of trainer workouts or cold weather mountain biking (you can only sit on a trainer so much before it starts to effect your outlook and love of the sport).
I did get to head out to Maddog's Tucson Camp for a week of riding with our old team mates. Nothing like 70 degree short sleeve riding in January. Mostly I got to see alot of "orange" ahead of me as the Tucson contingent has been putting in the miles like Euro Pro's. I did pin a number on to race with (loosely stated) Randall.... Teenie had her own race. They both rode great with great results. Me.... I missed a turn following the Moto and had to chase back on, never fully recovering but finishing a hard day.
Seems Hincapie's idea of spring is aligned with the Global Warming contingent as the "spring" series started this past weekend. Luckily we really did have almost spring weather at BMW and Dondalson. Well I think it might have hit 40degrees on Saturday at BMW. Only 18 50+ Masters braved the cold for a spirited race that saw a break get away on the second lap containing riders from he 3 big teams. So there I am at the front trying to get things organized for the chase. "Joe, lets go....nope I got a team mate up there........"Glenn, lets go.....nope I got a team mate up there......"Greg, lets go....nope I got a team mate up there......" s(&*^*, 2 laps in.... better just settle in for a good training ride.......that is bike racing..... Oh and it was Bobby Hough who initiated the break....... great ride Bobby....
Sunday was Donaldson where the mercury headed north, and we had a large field of over 40 starters. The race went from the gun, with Modry, Spinx, and SC Masters launching a break. It never let up as the wind picked up throughout the day. I found myself at the back hanging on thinking "it sure is early in the season to be going this hard". There I go thinking there is a "season". Hell half of these guys just finished their CX season... I did get a chance to check out alot riders rear wheels and cadence, as I was heads down holding on for as long as I could.
Me.... at the age where you can draw a SS check.... I tried my best.. hanging in there thinking ....... maybe if I stay at it, I can get back into shape and hang on to those kids who have just turned 50....
It's all for the love of the game. Just being out there you're ahead of most people. You need to pick your race season. Don't let the schedule tell you what to do. When is the state road race?
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a better "health" year than last year. You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh with some of this. Great to hear you're back on the mend. That fitness will come along with the sun and some warmer temps. Your passion for riding will whip you back into shape more than the need for racing. You're trying to drop me whether we have numbers on or not...ha ha. I'll be joining you as soon as I finish this home improvement project!
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