Ridin' it Jedi style...

I went for a night ride on Tuesday evening. It wasn't planned (no lights). I commuted to work. Got out of work late. Forgot a file I needed for an early mtg. at a real estate office in Carbondale. Got just outside of Aspen. Realized I forgot the file. Turned around and went back to the office to retrieve the file. Started the ride home again. I rode for about 30 minutes and then the sun went down and it started getting dark fast. Fortunately, most of the ride home is on a bike path. However, I've been having to dodge more and more piles of bear scat on the path lately. So, I was having to keep a close eye out for any big, steamy piles on the path as well as the big, furry critters who leave em on the path. I was singing outloud most of the ride and that's enough to scare off any creatures of the night, so I wasn't too worried...plus, I was using the force!

Got home. Ate. Went to bed.

Autumn Bliss

I poached this picture from velonews.com

It pretty much sums it up for ol' Floyd.

What a let down. Nuff said, case closed.

As for me, I went on one of the best rides I've had in a long time last night. The route was nothing spectacular, I've ridden it several times before. It's not a bad route, it's just not what most would call spectacular. What made it such a great ride was a combination of things. Being back on my bike and feeling stronger (sort of) was encouraging. The fall colors, the fact that the sky was glowing with crazy shades of pink, orange, blue, and red, the cool fall air, the fallen leaves crunching underneath my tires, and the fact that I was getting to share all of this with Sharon all add up to a great ride!!

Dog Days

The dog in this picture seems to be on the same training program that I've been on this past week. I've just been resting, trying to get my body back to normal. I did get on my bike Sunday and again on Tuesday. Sunday was an eye opener for me. My legs felt like they were dipped in concrete. My brain is thinking, "what they hell is wrong with you guys? Spin those pedals, push it, let's go, we've got a big race coming up!! WTF?!" I wanted to turn around and go home, but I pushed on. I loosened up after 10 minutes or so and the rest of the ride was ok. Tuesday's ride was better. My legs were still heavy, but I felt stronger. Afterwards though, I felt like I had been on my bike for about 8 hours as opposed to the 2 hours that I rode. So I've decided to take it easy for a few days and see how things go this weekend. It's been killing me not to ride. I go into the garage at night and tinker with my bikes, I check my lighting systems, I organize my riding gear, I tinker with my bikes some more. "Hi, my name is Wade and I'm a bikaholic."

It's a good thing Dan-O is soloing Moab this year too. I might need him to sherpa me around the course a few times. The dude has more energy than Cornholio on cookie dough.

I can't have a post titled Dog Days and not give a shot out to pero numero uno. What up Sysco! You're my boy!!

Perspective

It's important to keep things in perspective...it's difficult to do so at times, but it's important nonetheless. I've had a slight bump in the road that leads to Moab (or anywhere for that matter). And because of it, my training has suffered. My body is not 100% (far from it right now), and therefore, my mind is not 100% either. I have big expectations for Moab this year and regardless of the circumstances, that has not changed. I should probably re-evaluate things, but I can't. I'll just have to dig deeper, try harder and suffer more, keeping it all in perspective. I will take comfort in knowing that had things gone in a different direction this past week, I would be in an entirely different world of hurt and Moab would be the furthest thing from my mind. So I'm going in to Moab feeling grateful for the opportunity to be there, grateful for the pain, the suffering, the joy, the triumph, the entire experience. All the while, keeping everything in perspective!

Family

First and foremost today (and everyday), I have to recognize my family. Thanks for all the love and support. I wouldn't be half the person I am today without you!!

Alright. Feeling good. Last week was a good week. I got in a lot of miles and I'm feeling strong. Sat. was a pretty damn good day...big mt. bike ride in the morning, a motorcycle ride in the afternoon, and then the first annual Newsom shrimp boil (which was a flying success). Great riding, great food, great friends, and great weather.

This is going to be a pretty busy week for me, so I'm having to cut back on the miles this week. No biggie though. I'll ease off this week, then have two really big weeks, and then taper the two weeks right before the race. Hopefully I'll go in to the race feeling rested and ready. That's the plan.

Blink

This week's Aspen Cycling Club race was a mt. bike race on Basalt Mt. A fast, fun race. I rode well and finished in 4th after duking it out with teamate Joel. I'll spare you the details, you can catch the premier on Oct.1
Feeling strong and psyched for these next couple of weeks to come and go. It's starting to get pretty chilly in the mornings which makes it a little more difficult to get up and going for my early morning rides. I'm definitely rocking the knee warmers, heavier gloves, shoe covers, vest, etc. I love the autumn riding though...just have to make sure to wear the bright clothes so I'm not mistaken for a deer. Yep, it's deer season. You gotta love all the "welcome hunters" signs hanging from the liquor store windows. That's a good combo, guns and booze!!

On a more important note, my thoughts and prayers go out to Tara Llanes. Tara had a horrible crash at the Jeep King of the Mountain finale in Beaver Creek. She is recovering from 7 hours of surgery to try to repair damage to her spinal cord that has resulted in below the waist paralysis.
Please visit http://www.tarallanesroadtorecovery.com/

Peace!

A Gear for the Ghetto

My boy Dan-O has decided to take his training to the next level. He is now riding through the ghettos in Salt Lake (are there really ghettos in Salt Lake?) and taunting the pit bulls. Hell of a way to get in some speed work. Good on ya Dan-O! Hope you're not wearing the good chamois on those rides...just in case.

As for me, well, it was tough as hell to get up and on the bike this morning. One of those mornings I guess. I did drag my ass out of bed an get going though. I don't think I woke up until about half way through my ride when I looked up and the sun had just crept up over the mountains and everything looked like a painting. It was beautiful and it made me feel a little better about getting up and getting on my bike...aside from the fact that I can't afford to miss a day of training right now. Moab is getting close!

PS. Adam Craig took the Single Speed World Championship in Sweden this year. He was sporting a Magnum P.I. mustache and tight cut off jean shorts...you gotta be fast to pull that one off. Next year's SSWC is in Napa, CA. I might have to add a single speed to the quiver of bikes!