Two Wheel Blogs

I'm heading for a long stint on the dark side. The dirt really isn't whispering, rather it's calling me like a parent in search of a lost child. The time has come for some serious cx prep work and I'm getting the focus, as I know many others are too. What's the draw? Don't know. Lovers of the dirt and mud are an odd bunch.

I'll keep this report simple. I finally raced again. Pfoodman's Dirt Crit, week 4. The conditions were tough...muddy, slick corners, wet roots, creek crossing, wet grass. In short, a perfect Belgian cyclocross course.

Not much going on lately. Just training and working on my nutrition (weight) for the impending cx season. I've lost some more lbs and I'm feeling good overall. The cx bikes (sans the tubulars) are built and I've even had one of them out to Castlewood for a shakedown ride. All in all, things are showing promise and pointing in the right direction.

for the train's a coming. Man, I'm getting pumped. Eating right, training is ramping up, and the Dirt Crits are getting ready to start. While I haven't done much intensity this year, the Dirt Crits will be a sneak peek into this year's cx season fitness. I'm not expecting to dominate any of the dirt stuff, rather just see what level my training has brought me to (vs.

Just as soon as I get a training schedule that calls for 7 hours of off-road riding for this weekend, the weather decides to ruin any real possibility that I can make good on that schedule. What a kick in the sack! I have really been enjoying the time on the mtb, as it's re-energized my training. No offense to the roadies, but slogging endless miles dodging traffic just isn't the same as some good ol' down home cookin' that only the dirt can offer.

I was even hoping to take the cx bike off-road for a little bit this weekend, too. Oh, well. What's the use of having a plan if you can't break it. Let's just hope I get out on the roads and the weather doesn't further relegate me to the trainer. Now that would be a real problem.

I wish I had something really cool to report. This weekend was a bear for me in terms of trying to fit in riding. I did manage to roll a fat tire on Sunday though.

G-wiz called and threw down the gauntlet, so I had to take the offer. We rolled out at about 11:00 and stopped around 1:30. About 2.5 hours of rigid single speed hammering. The worst part of it is, G would probably call it a leisure ride.

Honestly, it was not a "race pace" for me, but there were many times that I could not have held much higher pace (I am sure G could have though). I think this body is just not used to the pounding it takes on the trails (or the frequency range necessary to run one gear).