Two Wheel Blogs

So Unit's had some interesting blogs about his feelings lately. So here's mine. Winter's a cruel cruel thing, specially here in Missery. That's Missouri for all you non-natives. The weather this year has been just wacky, and it's left me with few and far between rides. The weather has finally gotten cold enough that the ground is mainly frozen, but days like today warm up just enough to turn trails into soup. So it was the road for me today, yup, a nice easy road ride... right....

Except for my lucky ride on Sunday, I haven't been on the trails for over a month. The weather hasn't been cold enough and although early morning riding could be done, I don't get the chance. Guess that's one of the drawbacks of a 8 to 5. Weekends are open sure, but I have to have at least one day or so to sleep in, I'm a bum. I've done a few road rides, but non have been fun. All have been cold, windy, and I've been in a real rut lately when it comes to on the bike performance.

So today I cut out a little early, it was a brite sunny day, and while I was going to go to Landahl tonight, the temps got to high and the ground thawd. So I grabbed the Jake and headed out. I was really just hoping for a couple nice easy paced hours. About 2 minutes into it I knew that was going to be far from the case. The wind had a certain flow to it today that did wonders for keeping you in place. Meaning it was like trying to cut through rubber at times. It was all I could muster to keep it above 15 mph... but when it got to your back, it was 25 plus and it felt easy. To bad 3/4's of the ride was into the wind or a nasty cross wind. The wind was blowing so hard that even with a cross wind you really had to man handle the bike. Having to deal with this wind really had me thinking how I haven't enjoyed riding much at all lately. I've been on the trainer to much, and I've pretty much abandoned my training plan. Like I said I've been in a rut.

Part of the reason I haven't had much enjoyement lately is because I've had to do all my rides solo. Everyone around here has pretty much decided to give up the whole "biking" thing this winter. My roomate hasn't been on his bike in over a month and half... Rides like today get real boring real quick having to battle the elements without having someone there to do it with you.

Where am I going with all this? I don't really know, I'll just be damn happy when better weather comes around and I get to enjoy nice trails with all the old friends again. Hell, I haven't rode with Unit since our last urban ride a month ago. I really wanted to train hard this winter but I've lost that flame. I'm not really even worried about racing this year, cause it's not really a big deal to me at the moment.

I did happen to run upon this today, which put a hope in my dwindling riding spirit. The one thing I am looking forward to next year more epic racing. This race is now on the calendar. Looks like Pete and Carry are going to, so it should be a good time. I also noticed a couple of other names of riders who I've riden with in the past too. So while today's hour and fifty minute ride wasn't the greatest, I know that it's more base miles that I'll need for some of these adventures. My XC races will go how they go, they're not really my priority right now. But who knows, the weather might break, the trails might dry, and I might be back at it working on my XC racing skills.

Sorry if you actually had to read through this, but I felt I had to vent somewhere... here seemed good. Looks like tommorow I might be able to go out and do a night ride at Cosmo Park after work. I've done very little night riding this year, and that's probably why I'm bored with it all. I need a little change, and a good ol night ride should be just what I need.