Training, Fun and Adventure

I missed a XC race I was supposed to do today for training. Seems like the training ride I did yesterday left me a little out of it (Lynda’s workouts can do that). I swung by Switchback Cyclery after the ride to pick up Louise’s & my packets for the VQ next week. It wasn’t till I got home that I remembered that I had a race today and shouldn’t have left the bike with them for some maintenance. The S-works isn’t quite built up yet and there’s no way I’m racing my 30+ pound pig of a trainer so I went out for a long road ride. From the way my legs felt, I probably would have gotten spit out of the back of the pack at some point.

I got a little bored today riding around for half a day, no one to race to the top of a hill or a stop sign. Training with a partner at least once a week keeps everything fun. Last year was the first time I actually trained with a friend on a regular basis. I haven't found a regular training partner for this year yet. Even the group fun rides are few and far between. Having a big race in April has pushed everything forward. I have to forego current fun on the local trails for a future adventure in South Africa.

Speaking of fun rides, here's a picture from the peak of a local mountain after the hardest, steepest hike-a-bike I've ever done. It was supposed to be a fun ride. Notice the fake smile--was already dreading the return hike.