Thanksgiving Day Ride

So I finally saddled up after two weeks of being off the bike. I soon found out how much i was out of shape when i reached the top of my local hill climb. The cold air didn't help at all nor did an intense hc to warm up. Needless to say I felt like I had asthma but soon subsided. I did the same route I did when I was at home last since i know its about thirty miles with some good climbs and descents but not the best in the county. The first couple pedal strokes had that uneasy, awkward, feeling that happens from being off the bike fora while. This ride really cleared out the cobwebs for me to ride with the team on sunday, otherwise I wouldn't be able to last 60 miles and some mild attacks. But I surprised my self and rode just fine without too much pain. Of course some one attacked and I followed to counter....etc...etc..etc. It's amazing how much better you feel after a ride from being off for so long. Just makes you want to ride more! Who Knows, I may even ride here on the eastern shore......cain't......wait.  Now I get to job hunt after I graduate, for a PART TIME job that is.

Heres to You Shivering Cyclist

Its all too often that we read about all the warm, nice places pro cyclists visit to train. "The weather is 75 degrees and sunny here in Arizona," or "I checked the weather back at home and it just doesn't compare to the balmy forecast for today!" Unfortunately not all of us are lucky enough to have to luxury to ride in summer kits all season long, and it would be a dream come true without a doubt. SO I dedicate this one to those of us who slug it out in the cold, day in and day out. Here in Annapolis there are many of us who can only squeeze out a ride after hours-- after the last ray of sunshine has been cast.  With head lights beaming and the fleece lycra reflecting we ride until our hands and toes go numb. At the time, I would have never thought I would say that I miss training in the cold-- which I don't! But I think I have begun to appreciate it. Suffering in the cold makes you appreciate the warm weather so much more and adds that sugary coating to the upcoming race season that is now underway.  And besides, what nut is going to ride a bike when the temperature is enough to make a slushy out of your hammer drink mix? So what if I have to put toe warmers in my shoes before I go out to ride and find the warmest pair of Pearl Izumi fleece tights that's not already frozen from yesterday, It won't stop me from riding. So while you decide which spf sunscreen to apply and get a jump start on your tan, we'll be out here, wiping the fog from our glasses as our rapid breath trails give evidence to our intervals. See you in the spring!!

p.s.- could frostbite be the new battle scar???  

Thesis thesis thesis

Thesis, thesis thesis...rightfully titled and I beg the question of will it ever end? The last push is always the hardest cause you just want to be done with it! I keep telling myself "just one more day of solid work and then its all editing" Well one more day quickly becomes three more solid days. I guess I'll just shut up and get it done...

Update for a long over due.....update

So its been a while since July, or my last post. I have since left beautiful Colorado and moved back to the east coast to finish up my degree in Env studies here at the wonderful school of Washington College in the ever so interestingly flat lands of the eastern shore. I've been uber busy with work from writing a thesis in one semester along with all my other class work. I don't think I have touched my bike in about two weeks and its beginning to kill me of being so inactive after such a long season.

I have since changed teams again, I wanted to go back to Colorado for the next season with Rocky Mtn Bicycles but this time I would have been paying for everything on my own which I would not be able to do well while living in Boulder, which is where my sights are set for my next move out. So for the next year I'm moving back home with the rents but the good thing is that I don;t have to pay rent. Even though I didn't get what i wanted, this may actually be the best option. I can definitely get my cat 1 upgrade while out here where the racing is easier, unlike the crits in Boulder where at least ten of the top us pros will show up and have you balls-to-the-wall-sucking-air-out-of-your-eyeballs, just tyring to hang on. Great for making you stronger but not so good for trying to upgrade fast. SO-- get my cat 1, save some money, maybe get an intern ship to get my foot in the door of the real world for when i decide to switch over (not anytime soon!!!!), and win some races. I signed up with my old team, ABRT/Latitude since they were putting together an elite team for this coming season. Were gonna have white kits (fingers crossed). Just thinking about it makes me wish I was lining up tomorrow. The hills of Middletown valley will provide some good training which Im really looking forward to as well. Ive ridden some at home but never for an extended period of time. There arn't any snow capped peaks but there are some grades that hit close to 18% to plenty of pain to go around!
Ok, back to slaving away with my nose to the grindstone. It's nice to know these are the last projects I will have to work on for academia for a while...