Close

Survived the first time trial of the season - improved my time by over 4 minutes from last year - only about a minute off my goal time for this summer. Not bad for a "slug" rider not seriously training. I guess I really don't like racing that much, but it was a good challenge. I've got to get more base miles in, my HR was too high for the entire loop.

The good news is that I am finally feeling comfortable on the 29er. Steering is acceptable, getting over logs and rocks is great. I'm learning to not use the brakes as much and just let the bike do the work. The wheels are pretty heavy and I can really feel it when climbing up the rollers, but I'm not going to complain. Overall the bike isn't that much heavier than my old Stumpjumper.

Some photos coming soon of bad house ideas the previous owners had. Like using fiber board to seal up the dryer vent. I really don't like fixing their past mistakes, everything takes 3 times longer than it should - not that I know what I'm doing anyway.

Ugh

Didn't want to get up at 5:30 this morning for bike practice - but managed to roll out of bed and get dressed. Even remembered my water bottle this time. Hit the road at 6:00 but was so cold. Why is 40 degrees colder in May than it is in February? It's all in the expectations.

Anyway, shivered for the first 30 minutes of riding, decided to take the easy road and skip climbing today. Total ride time of 75 minutes and 20 miles. At least I got out I guess. Going to try to hit the 5:30 AM MTB ride on Thursday, better set the alarm and get to bed early.

Fizzle Out

This week is fizzling out. Failed to take advantage of the good weather tuesday morning, attempted to make up for it this morning but I forgot my water bottles so the ride was cut short. How short I do not know since the battery in the cateye decided to give up today as well.

Hoping to get the X-Cal out tomorrow morning for tractor driving practice - that is what I have heard moving to the Fisher is like. Should have waited for the '08 models but I was too frugal. Now I have to make it work - no new bikes for a long time.

Time to Rise and Shine

The weather seems to have finally turned the corner to spring. The local MTB trail is finally open, and the sunrise has broken the 6:00 AM barrier. All three point me to the reality that it is time to rise and shine for early morning training, the best time for training for those of us with kids.

Not that I like getting up at 5:30 or earlier to ride my bike, but it fits my schedule better than trying to ride after work.

So... hoping to hit the early morning singletrack at least once this week, and put in some early morning road miles as well. I forgot my running shoes at the in-laws, so no running for a while :)