Back in the Saddle
Georgia was amazing! I really didn’t even realize the magnitude until i rode to work last Monday morning. i was FLYING (i ran into my friend Ben, too). the fact that there was no grade anywhere had become foreign to me. every time we rode in Blairsville, and the surrounding area, it was either up or downhill. a totally new experience for me. in fact, most of the team’s derailleurs were in some sort of dis-repair duing some point of the trip — (who needs a derailleur in Chicago, right?)
i had no idea what to expect. i had ridden a mountain bike down an actual mountain when i was in high school, but i had never ‘climbed.’ i left my 11-23 cassette on — that goes to show what little insight i had. the ascents were the stuff that could break mere mortals, and every time i thought i could stop pedaling without going backwards i gave serious consideration to quitting.
the descents, on the other hand, were mind-blowing. miles of road to play with at speeds approaching 40-45 mph. several times i could not stop laughing hysterically; my voice obscured to others as winds howled past ears. as far as training goes, i am about as fit as i figured i’d be (not very but not bad at all). i am also positive i gained weight due to the team chef’s amazing meals.
today offically begins the road racing season. or, for me, “training for ‘cross” and hopefully being super-domestique to some of my teammates. we’ve got 5 days of racing for all to enjoy, so come down whenever you can! the new RIVAL is awesome, but i wanna race it a couple times too before my review. here’s a picture
Tags: Road Racing, Training