My Life On A Bike

Today was the second weekend in a row I was joining Damyankee and the atlbike crew for a Saturday road ride.  Last wkd, Keith led us on a climbing fiesta up  Vinson, Hightower, and Paris Mtn.  It was my first time up Paris Mtn and I really enjoyed it.  My legs are getting stronger and I’m getting to reap the benefit of some of those long arduous winter rides.

We had a big crew show up with lots of the usual heavy hitters:  The Caminator, JeffL, Dr. Tim, Barry and Alexis.   Sweetwater and G-off seem to truly be out of retirement and came back for more.  Rlaz, TomA, Terri, Michelle, Bill, Mike and Greg were there just to name a few.  Leading the group was MarkO.  His son, Nick, was riding with us as well as his friend, Mikey.   I had the pleasure of riding with these budding young stars the day after Christmas last year and they impressed the socks off me.  Today was no different.   I am not stretching the truth when I tell you that Nick and Mikey can ride with the best of the roadies.  Shucks, I know plenty of grown men that cannot do what these 10 and 11 yrs olds do on a weekly basis.  They sit right in the pack and keep stride with the rest of us.   Nobody does them any favors and we don’t moderate the pace just for them.   It’s game on as usual and they play in the big league.  Impressive indeed.

They rode the better part of 30 miles with us.  Back at the parking lot, they were running around full of energy, while the rest of us could barely get off our bikes!  In the photo above, they are proudly sporting their Tour de Pike tshirts which they just participated in a few weeks ago.   Well done, Nick and Mikey!  Keep up the good work.  By “putting money in the bank” this early in the game, you’re both going to be able to make big withdrawls in just a few years.

Even though the route is mostly rolling hills, it makes for a tough workout.  Damyankee, Barry, or JeffL would get on the front of the paceline and drive us like a freight train.   I don’t know where these guys get the strength to push so hard, but staying on their wheel is a big motivator for me.   JeffL is freakishly strong, and I shudder whenever he shows up for a ride.  We took a nice 68 mile trek through Taylorsville ending with the climb up Paris Mtn for good measure.

This time up my performance was far from stellar as compared with last week’s attempt.  With only one day of recovery from Thursday night’s hard ride, I did not have the top end needed to give the guys a run for their money.  JeffL, Barry, Mike, and Rlaz blazed up the climb while I desperately tried to save face.   Alexis was my lifesaver and I stayed in her wake while giving it all I had.  Having been riding together for over 14 yrs, we know just how to push each other.  Not a word was spoken, but the intensity that spilled out in our huffing and puffing said it all.  Thanks to Alexis, I found the motivation to keep digging and give one last effort.

It’s time like this that I’m glad I found the motivation during the not-so-motivating days to get out and ride.   It’s that whole cycle of putting money in the bank, so that I can have what it takes to join the guys for a 60 or 70 mile ride.   Where do I f ind my motivation?  I’m not one of those persons that finds it easily within.

Earlier this week, you would have thought it was the dead of winter.  North Georgia had a snow storm and we had a few snow flakes fall from the sky.  Tuesday was just as yucky as Monday, and I had no intentions of going out in it.   Then, my 79 yr old mother headed out for her daily 3 mile walk at lunchtime in the cold blustery elements.  How’s that for motivation!   If my mom can exercise in this weather, then I guess I should quit my my whining and get out there too!

I headed to Kennesaw Mountain and was surprised that it was not as bad as I expected.  Bundled up in my winter clothes kept me happy and the climb was downright toasty.  The descent was another matter!  Coming down a mountain in 40 degree weather is not a pleasant experience.   After 3 repeats, I could not take another descent and headed home.  At least I got out and did something.

Last Thursday night I joined Regularjoe and Rlaz for my first weeknight ride of the season at Riverside Park for the Roswell Ride.  It was every bit as gut wrenching as I remember the intown rides being, which is why I tend to shy away from them.  However, like the crit, those short group rides are a fabulous source of training.  It forces me to turn myself inside out and give 110% effort.   The courses usually involve loads of short steep hills through residential areas that give the legs an intense workout.

These days all I do is long endurance riding and my strength and speed work are sorely lacking.   A group ride is just the medicine needed to shock the system and kick those muscles into gear.   In a few weeks, we will be heading out to Moab for our anual spring trip.   Thinking of that trip motivates me to keep plugging away so I can whip my butt in shape.

I hear rumors that Spring is here, but I not convinced it really is.  So far, I have been wearing my winter Sidis more than my regular shoes and the farmer’s tan is not taking shape yet.  The sun did not shine for even 1 of the 68 miles we rode today.  At least all around us were reminders that it is indeed April.  The route we took was just beautiful and there were plenty of green open fields with grazing cows and sheep.  All the green and blooming trees motivate me to keep riding as well.  I love to be outside and see it all!

Spring is allegedly here.  I guess I just need to be patient and keep looking.   The promise of warmer weather definitely motivates me to get out there and ride.  Now, if we can just get it to actually be warm for more than a day or two.  I’m ready for summer!   Hope to see you all on the trails soon.   I’m itching for some mountain biking!