Two Wheel Blogs

Countdown to Memorial Day Biathalon: 3 days

Wed 5.26: I did the Chesterfield Valley ride for the second time this year. I did not ride particularly well. Storm clouds were moving in from the east as we rolled out at 6:00 p.m. About ten minutes into the ride, they arrived, pelting us with rain and making the road surface slick -- and dangerous. Wisely, we decide to change the route, heading back on Wild Horse Creek Road earlier than we would normally. Not only did this eliminate the steep downhill section, but it pointed us towards clear skies. And, from then on, we didn't get rained on anymore. Not that we could have gotten any wetter. We were already soaked. But it made the ride back home a lot more pleasant -- and safer.

Fri 5.28: I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I could not wait to get home from work. Of course, to get there I had to wait through a huge traffic tie-up on 270. Once there, I suited up and headed up to do the Belk Park Loop. I figured an hour's ride was just what I needed before going out to dinner with my wife. I rode it as hard as I could under the circumstances. Those were:

• A wind out of the northwest that I fought all the way to Belk Park, but then helped me from there.
• Difficulty getting my chain to move to the big crank.

As I'm racing on Monday, I asked Boz if he'd do me a favor and look over my bike, tuning up anything that needs tuning. (I know: I should know how to do this myself, but I haven't learned yet.) Boz being Boz, he did more than that: he replaced bearings and did a bunch of other stuff it needed. He also adjusted my shifter cable. Well, tonight I found it the adjustment still needs a little tweaking. Several times during the ride, I tried to shift to the big chain ring, but it wouldn't go. I'll get it straightened out before Monday.

Today's ride was a good one. Maybe it was the feeling of freedom of riding in the early evening of a three-day weekend, miles and hours removed from the pressures and responsibilities of the office. Maybe it was the release of pent-up frustration from not having ridden well on Wednesday night. Maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, I rode as hard as I could, and I finished in just under an hour.

The Plan: Tomorrow, I may ride over to do my radio show. That'll be 30 miles over and 30 miles back. Hm-m-m-m... I wonder what's showing at the Skylight Drive-In in Litchfield? On Sunday, I plan to rest: no running, no riding. Then Monday, it's race day. Finally.