So since my last post almost a month ago there has been a lot more happening with life than cycling.
First I got married on July 2nd….
Then we went on a weeklong honeymoon to the outer banks of NC…
Then on July 9th we moved to our new place in Raleigh on Lake Johnson.
So needless to say cycling has taken a real backseat the last month and simultaneously my blog followed suit.
Before all the fun began though I finally rode the ride Iv been meaning to since I got my road bike back in November. That ride being the climb up the cat 2 Oklahoma road to Sparta. The ride ended up being a little over 40 miles and over 5000 feet of climbing far surpassing the 100 feet to the mile “hilly ride” test.
Probably should have wrote about it sooner as now I don’t remember to many details other than it was hot and I suffered like I have suffered few times before. I did make a resolution to get a compact crankset before next season. With my 53/39 and weak legs I have to stand and mash when the grade pitches up much at all which is not my preferred climbing style. I prefer to sit and spin closer to 100 rpm and even standing up for a short times takes everything out of my legs. I do think the big gear mashing has helped my mountain biking with the short steep climbs that are associated with it.
It was a nice sense of accomplishment toping that hill though next time I hope to have a stronger performance up the climb. I’ll leave it at that.
I thought that that ride would be a good leg killer before the OBX trip as I had full intentions on getting right back on schedule when I got back. But it turns out that moving to a new city doesn’t make getting back on schedule so easy. I did get out a few times to time my commute to law school, about 20 minutes, and for a ride to the capital. I did enjoy that ride to the NC capital and around the court of appeals and the other landmarks. Definently a change of pace from my normal rides out here in the middle of nowhere.
Now with the current heat wave my getting back on track was delayed further. This week though the excuses were over and time had to be made. Iv been working with Marshall trying to help him finalize the plans for our collegiate race weekend Spetember 3-4 at my home trails in Wilkes. Iv really got that race marked as one I really want to do well at. I doubt I will be peaking again at that time but Im really going to try and put in a good month to get ready for it. So Monday it started pouring the rain and I grabed my helmet and rode. It was the best ride Iv had in weeks. Nice and cool from the rain and I kept it up the rest of the week putting in some good leg opening miles. My legs started to come back to life a little and probably felt the best since tour de cure (the beginning not the end).
Oh and I did miss my second event of the year last weekend Hurt Pain and Agony. This was one I was really looking forward to as the race starts about 5 minutes from my house and goes up the route I rode up Oklahoma road and a few other tough climbs for a total of 66 miles. I really wanted to do it but I knew after the last month of preparation Iv had it would have been a death wish. I just wasn’t ready for it this year…
Its the first of August today and now a month and three days till the start of collegiate mountain bike season. Time to build on last week, gain some intensity and lose some weight...gotta make this year better than last year..
Anyway back on track…well see how it goes
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