Winter Riding

When the temperatures get below freezing, most cyclists stay indoors on trainers. Not I. Todays plan did not include other cyclists since their plans and mine did not mesh. I planned a shorter ride so I would have time to paddle out and about McClellan Island with a stop on the sanctuary itself for the Open House. Since my ride was going to be shorter, I opted for two climbs in 20 miles, a short steep one over Pineville Road, and a 2 mile climb up onto Signal Mountain. For the first I made my best attempt at a sprint, recover, sprint. For the second, I did something like that but not as effectively. Then it was on the mountain. A painful reminder of the cold, seeing the frozen streams and rivulets that normally spill through and over the rock face while climbing the mountain. Still, I knew if I kept moving, I'd keep warm. I also knew the hardest part for cold would be coming down off that climb.

A note about the Velo riders. I seem to have been inducted into a rather good group of guys. They're strong and many are seasoned riders that have been doing local races for many years. A great pack to learn from, and its an honor to be getting invitations to join them. This evening however, I met a man who at least claims to have ridden pro some 20 years ago in Australia. Is he full of it? I can't say, but upon hearing I was interested in racing he launched into an hours worth of training ideas and comments. He was arrogant, though obviously well out of shape, but I suggested he get back out there to rie and come join us, that I was sure the girls currently interested in racing wouldn't mind getting another pespective and training. I can put up with arrogant, if the arrogance is backed up by knowing his shit.