Another Year in the Books

I am now 33. Bikes are still my fun, my exercise, my addiction, my transportation, and my first love.

Blue Star

Being Lazy, Hitting the Gym, and a Little CX

Not too much happening lately. I have been avoiding the bike when the weather is bad or when my motivation is not there to chamois up. I've also been getting slammed at the real j-o-b, so the motivation to ride seems to wane when the work day is a rough one. I guess it is good that I'm technically in the off season. I've set November 1 as my get serious and train cut off date.

I'm back in the gym throwing weights around like a body builder, well at least on the legs. This year I was pleasantly surprised I'd didn't lose too much strength during my time away from the gym during the race season. Also, I haven't been super sore after the first few weeks of leg sled and squats like I have in years past. Maybe I'll be able to pack on some more power this year.

Got the itch race the CX bike last weekend. I felt good on race morning, so I was excited to throw down. The start, however, had other ideas. Due to a missed clip-in by one of my competitors and then an errant stick that landed in my spokes bringing me to a halt within 10 feet of the start line, I was relegated to gapped off the back of the entire pack of 65 racers within the first minute of the race. Not good for a course that consisted of about 50% 1track. I immediately went to work passing as many people as I could. I think I ended up counting 30+ by the end. I never made it to the front of the race, but was pleased with my efforts. Maybe next time out, I can get a good start for once.

Here's a short movie of the barriers...


And a photo of the runup.


Thanks for reading,
Blue Star