Two Wheel Blogs

Last night the trails were still a bit soft, but about 95% good (I walked the other 5%...and I wish the others would too). The whole time I was out there I really felt back in the zone! I had a great time. The bike was taking flight at every opportunity, and the soft trails were tacky, but unpredictable (that made things fun).

Feels like I'm in a slump. You know how every once in a while you get into a funk where nothing feels quite right? Motivation is just so-so. Energy level is just "ok". It's not like I'm bumping along on the bottom or anything. I just don't have that extra little something that makes the difference between a decent ride and a fast ride.

I'll get through it. I always do. It's not like the end of the world or anything. Power output was decent enough. My wattages were actually a little higher than I expected. I just haven't been feeling all that comfortable while producing good power lately.

It's probably just lack of sleep.

I had planned to get out and ride something over 2 hours this afternoon and ended up cutting it short. The already mentioned mediocrity was wearing thin. Then when my front derailleur cable, also worn thin, gave it up altogether I pulled the plug and took the next turn towards the couch.

The 25 or 30 of us who braved the return of winter cold had a terrific time last night at Castlewood. I can't really blame folks for staying in. This winter weather in spring seems so much colder than it did when it really was cold. That's what a few days in the 60's and 70's will do for you. All the same, last night was a good Friday night out for those of us who hadn't yet packed away our winter gear.

Trail conditions out at Castlewood were just about stellar last night. They were smooth and fast with only a few spots where the water hasn't completely drained away. They opened the park from 9pm to midnight for the ride. I had planned to ride the full three hours and had my trail loops all laid out for a three-hour tour (a three-hour tour...) I'll give credit to the fast trail conditions for finishing over 30 minutes early.

If I ever wanted a handful of good excuses not to work out this week has brought them to me. And coming off the big Ouachita Challenge weekend those excuses are oh so tempting.

Taking part of Friday and all of Monday off for travel got me good and behind at the office. I bet I had two feet of virtual paper to shuffle Tuesday morning. It's up to 2½' now. And then there's this weather thing. What? Who turned winter back on? It's April and I used my SPF 30 this weekend. Now the furnace is on again.

And then there's the emotional letdown following an epic event. There's something about finishing a thing you didn't really know you could finish that makes you want to sit a bit and bask in it. I climbed the mountain. Now I want to sit up there a while and watch the clouds go by.

Gotta train though. I trained right up to the OC. The weather's no excuse, not while I have my trusty trainer waiting for me. Tuesday I was back at it, blowing out the pipes. Yesterday I hit it again. Today was all about strength. Tomorrow's a night ride. Three hours of trail riding should bring a whole new dimension and meaning to Good Friday.

Time to pack up and get moving south for the Ouachita Challenge.

I think the word "challenge" may be an especially appropriate choice of words for the Ouachita Challenge this year. If the trails get rain the next couple of days it will really soften things up. Pedaling through molasses. They make molasses in Arkansas, don't they? Combine that with sunshine and warmth on race day and we'll have the makings of a true epic.

Going dark for the next few days unless there's Internet somewhere down there near the Ouachita Challenge trail head. Arkansas is, if you'll recall, former President Clinton's home state. Clinton's vice president was... that's right. Al Gore, the self-proclaimed father of the Internet. So it will just seem sort of natural when I power on my laptop and find a number of free wireless hot spots.

Looks like the forecast temperature's gone up another degree for this weekend's epic race. We're going the other way here. Today was slightly cooler than yesterday. Tomorrow's supposed to be cooler again.

Bring it, I say. This kind of ride will be a first for me. Completing it under ideal conditions would only diminish the accomplishment. And really now, is 80° all that bad? Give it a few months and 80° will be downright fresh.