Catching Up

My, it's been a long time. This summer is ticking by and before you know it, we'll be back in the throes of winter, longing for these 95+ degree days. I was at the atm the other day and the woman at the machine next to me actually said to her male friend "I can't wait for winter". These are probably the same fools who tried to drive through 3' of snow in their 1989 Corolla and couldn't figure out why everyone was angry with them as they blocked the only lane going through the neighborhood. Wow, look at that, I can go on a rant within 3 sentences of my first blog in a month. Good to see I haven't lost my touch.

I was lucky enough to be invited to ride the Bike to the Beach century a few weeks ago with a great crew ... I figured, why not ? I haven't been riding regularly so a century should be a good kick-start (cough). And, we're going to the beach, so it has to be all downhill and flat, right ? A sign of my failure to think this through was me setting my alarm for 2am to make it to a 4:30am start in downtown DC. YOU try riding in the dark with a bunch of ya-hoos who probably don't ride all that steady in the daylight. It was an adventure, though, and one I'd gladly do again --anyone who knows me knows that says a lot because it is my belief that no-one should know that 2am comes twice in one day. Unless you're catching 2am on the backside because the party hasn't ended yet.

My second annual trip to Charlotte, NC followed the B2B adventure. Spent a few days hiking, biking and (gasp) running and timed it to take in the big-boy race at the Presby Crit. Charlotte really turns out for the annual event and the locals cheer like they know the guys (and girls). Was a fun weekend, one of those you hate to come back from. I think we all need a few more mornings in life where you roll out of bed when you're ready and stroll down to the Starbucks for some coffee to go with a good book. Now doesn't that sound groovy ? (photo courtesy of CyclingNews.com).

This past weekend I joined a ride starting in Capitol Hill, going up to my area at Patapsco State Park (the turn around was going up lawyers hill, a mere 2 miles from my house) and back. Again, I figured a good way to get into shape. There was nothing really flat on this route but it was a really cool ride - if asked, I'd do it again, hopefully with a little more time in the saddle showing in my legs.

I guess I'm taking motivation in "epic" rides and routes. Yes, I know 70 miles isn't epic, but it is when you haven't been on the bike much. I suppose I'll start some epic rides of my own by revisiting some of my old training routes in Howard County on the weekends. It's ALMOST time for those great fall rides that remind you why you love your bike. I suppose I ought to get in shape so I can enjoy them.