The time is nigh

Today is important (at least in my books) on 2 fronts: the start of the spring Classics season in Europe, and I return to the great white north. Or, judging from the weather reports I am reading for the next few days, the shoddy iced up north. Freezing rain? Bring it on. At least some rain means its not -30 anymore and could help with the road salt situation. On the more exciting front, Het-Volk and Kurnne-Brussels-Kurnne start this weekend off with a bang on the glorious cobbles of Belgium. Screw Cali (though that was for sure some hard man weather they got smoked with), this is where the real hard men shine. I've gone out on a limb and called Gilbert for a win this weekend. Even with the new flat sprinters finish in Volk, I'm sticking to my guns. In more relavant news Sandy-wise, I begin my drive home today. And yes, as per my usual style, I intend to leave at 9am-ish (its currently 8:29) and I have "packed" (aka arranged my crap into several piles located in the vicinity of several duffel bags) and am still on the internet with some coffee. I have even got some bread out to make drive sammies. I'd say I'm still ahead of the game. I will be breaking the drive up into 2 days this time, with my driving solo and my freaked out mother and all. Apparently I WILL be staying at a 5 star resort somewhere around the Pennsylvania area, and sipping on some Dom Perrignon.. all on the tab of Mom & Dad. Or at very least attempting to find a motel that appears to have not had any recent deaths or drug deals go down in the last 2-3 weeks. Most exciting part of the trip, planned lunch stop at a Waffle House. I'm not sure why this place excites me or intrigues me, but I have wanted to sample their breakfast menu for some time now. A full report to come later. For now t minus 26 minutes to "departure". I better get crackin.

Last day

Three weeks have now come and gone. Much too quickly. Went out for a final spin, a little under 3 hours with Geoff, around nowhere in particular. One of those incredibly lazy/lethargic days. A day more suited to sitting around in your sweats with some tea than riding a bike. Overcast, in between cool and almost warm, and kinda threating to rain. We also opted for a little bit of a late start helping our legs feel extra tired and stiff. Nothing cool about the ride, other than an inopportune front flat about 20 minutes into the ride requiring me to stuff a dolla bill into my tyre to block the decent sized gash. Home for some food, and now tea and lazing around in my sweats. Feel generally like falling asleep for a quick nap before dinner. Maybe start packing. And get the bbq going. Gotta finish off some steak. No use letting it go to waste.

Shoving a dolla bill in the tyre due to the large gash.



RideClean.



Geoff superman-ing it home.

tribute to the best ride in the world

Tri-state, several thousand feet of climbing, dirt, and generally the most incredible scenery known to man. A cool yet sunny day again, at least with a much more gentle wind. About 7 down in the valley and apparent highs of 0 up where we intended to head. But hey, the sun is out and we're in need of an adventure. Cut around through some back roads to this smokin wicked gravel climb. Full on ~5km of teady gravel road, switch back climbing. 35 minutes up. Immediately after summiting, we turned left on the parkway (107) and continued climbing for another 40 odd minutes + of climbing (back on real roads) up to the top of Whitewater Falls. And then a little more climbing up to Cashiers, just to make sure our legs were starting to feel some pain. Into cashiers and then another turn, to make the final ascent to Highlands. Rolling road led into the final full on climb of the day... the steep and incredible switch backs of the 20-25 minute climb up to Highlands. Steep, beautiful and 1000+ feet of elevation gain in the last few kms alone. Hell, Highlands is apparently at about 4200 ft. above sea level. A quick stop (ok, about 30 minutes) in the wonderful local coffee establishment for a macchiato and a pie of fresh baked organic apple pie. Life is good. Saddle back up for the final ride back home, all along the scenic and gorgeous Hwy 28. Quiet, rolling, with some solid and smokin fast and snaking descents. Sheer drop offs off the the side, lush mountain greenery on the other... You can see why this ride was so awesome. 6 hours, 150km. And 3 happy riders. Next part of the day. 3 guys, 3 pizzas. Sandy's creation. My babies. Fresh made whole wheat crust....

Pizza #1 pesto sauce/chicken/green peppers/green onion/red onion/red pepper/mozzarella
Pizza #2 thai spicy peanut sauce/chicken/red peppers/green peppers/green onion/ mushrooms/mozzarella
Pizza #3 tomato slices/sausage/pepperoni/spinach/mushrooms/olive oil/mozzarella

Plus a few fresh Caronas. Now I find myself stuck to the couch, full and unable to move. The best day yet. A day that makes me glad I've followed the path I have, glad for fresh made pizza, and good people. I'm sure I'm forgetting some cool and interesting (perhaps even funny details) but either way. I'll leave with some pictures. Luckily I brought my camera today.

Geoff climbing through one of the many windy turns of the gravel climb. Looking down through some switchbacks...

Me enjoying a macchiato, perhaps a little too much. And again, over excited at the sight of one of 3 pizzas. I fully can barely move 3 hours later as a result of being sooo bloody full. It was worth it. Really.

wind and thoughts

Sitting here, in recovery mode (as per usual this time of the day) eating an orange and watching the sun set. It seems to me that I enjoy many of the little things around me that much more with riding. Either taking the time during a ride to enjoy a view, the pain in my legs, or now... resting and relaxing. The day seems that much more well spent after a hard day on the bike. Cold and windy today, high of 7 degree (1 degree on top of Caesar's Head) and some serious bloody wind. Rode out with some randomized cross and tail winds out to the climb with Hunt and Geoff, generally attempting to stay warm. When we hit the climb I took off for my tempo work, which by the way hurt. Definitely took my legs a solid 15-20 minutes to stop whining and get with the program. Nothing like the pain of the first real organized tempo to help you enjoy why you ride your bike. Started feeling better for the second half and generally began to enjoy my ride. Minus the pain. Headed back down to meet up with the boys and then headed back up to the top with them. Bought a newspaper at the top, mostly to enrich our minds. But also to stuff down our jerseys as a little extra insulation for the descent. Second switchback lead to a little surprise to me and apparently the driver behind me as my rear tube blew through the corner. Guess my rear wheel fishtailed a little as a result of this as I pulled over with a few choice words as the the driver behind me promptly pulled over to check to see if I was alright. Nice people. Popped in a new tube and set back down the hill, somewhat more carefully, to chase down the peloton. Who happened to be waiting a few more turns down as the same driver had even warned them that I had flatted. Like I said, nice people. Finished the ride home off with 2 hours or so of solid headwind action. Plus a few 5 minute intervals for Hunt with Geoff and I sitting on and enjoying the his draft. A little under 5.5 hours and 150km in the end. Definitely feeling it a little in the legs by the end. No problems finishing, just that first intensity in the legs feeling. Quick snack and some pondering regarding my somewhat limited dinner options and here we are. Perhaps another movie night tonight to wind down. Word on the street (aka what I intend to do) is a nice loop involving an (apparently) wicked long gravel climb. Gotta try to squeeze out a few more hours in the saddle before heading back to more snow.
Advice of the day: slow down. enjoy what you're doing and where you're doing it. Try something new, and go out on a limb. And yes, I think I sound like a fortune cookie.

Rain and rest

Tough couple of days on the bike. Today's weather forecast calls for - horrendously pathetic riding weather. No worries, I've got an easy 2 hour spin planned. Currently lighting and thunder are fighting it out for superiority in the sky, with a strong last minute alliance of stupid crazy wind and sheets of rain. At very least it is quiet and calm in the kitchen with Keir and I hanging out and hoping more folks decide to sleep in. Quiet time is like solid gold in a house with 8-12 dudes. Yesterday provided us with some weather that makes today's shitshow weather all worth it - highs in the upper 20s and sun. All I gotta say is, my tan is starting. As soon as the 25 barrier was broken, off came the arm and knee warmers. Ended up with a nice 5.5 hours in the saddle with a nice sit-on tempo effort (Keir and Hunt needed a tempo workout, I didn't) and then my first real leg opener of the season with a wicked 15 minute tempo climb. Felt awesome to finally let the legs go, open the lungs and feel a little pain. A quick refuel at the top with a nice "y'all come back real soon now" from a large and friendly shop woman, allowed us to continue along, dropping Hunt and Geoff off then Keir before finishing the last hour and change of my ride on my own. Relaxing evening involving some steak, a bbq, and some veggies finished off the day nicely. Hard to believe that my 3 week stay is already so close to being done.

Rolling along

Pretty much a normal day here. Back down to a good ol' 5 hour jaunt in the mountains. Up Whitewater Falls, up to Cashiers, across to Sapphire and back on down. Threats of rain prevailed, but only hit Keir and I for a few seconds. Even a few minutes of sun near the end to cut through the cool spring air. Actually, it was pretty bloody chilly up in the mountains. Either way, a quick gas station stop to reful the engines, as the coffee shop was closed (what kind of half-assed coffee shop is closed on Saturdays and Sundays???), got us back home in good shape and spirits. Chalk up another 125kms in the books, and then off to the grocery store for a few final supplies to get me through the week. And apparently to buy Geoff some food too as he forgot his debit card. Also made a quick stop by Jittery Joes coffee shop. Figured with all they give to cycling the least I could do as a cyclist would be to stop by, check it out and give a little support myself. Support in the way of a small dark roast to go and a can of beans. Solid. Nice fish for dinner with a spinach salad and some couscou to end the day. Tomorrow should be quite nice weather wise and Keir, Geoff and I should be putting in another long miles day with 5-6 flat miles planned in the sun. Tuesday is apparently a rain day, so should provide an excellent opportunity for some rest and recovery before 3 more big days and then my return to snowy Canada. I think I need a big ol' espresso machine to go with my barrista course. Yes mom, this is a hint. Just think of it as an investment and some quality morning cappuchinos! I feel something solid like a Rancilio Silvia would do nicely.

Sun

The sun is back. And how. Broke the 25 degree mark today during our long day. This means one important thing, the leg/knee warmer removal of the season. I did wait until after the major descents. After a nice pannakoken breakfast, we headed out to meet up with the campers. It was there I discovered that apparently I look mildly responsible and was therefor put in charge of leading one of the groups. Ouch. Luckily, I am better than I thought and my group was one of 2 NOT to get lost. Headed out towards Rocky Bottom, up and around to Rosman, up the back side of Sassafras (yes Deveer, we went ALL the way up haha) and then back home. Though myself, Geoff, Robertson, and Hunt headed out for a few extra miles. Sunny and glorious kms... In the end, chalk up another 8 hours in the saddle and 220 more kms. Quality miles. Felt pretty wicked good on the bike too. Legs floating and spinning pretty easy. Pretty happy with these miles and my form seems to be coming along. Though from what I hear of weather back home, it may be back onto the trainer for me. This bothers me. And I realize that many of you have been riding the trainer while I've been riding all these outdoor miles, but you may also forget how much harder it is to go BACK to the trainer after becoming accustomed to sun and outside. Sorry. I win. Though I doubt anyone out there feels bad. Time for some recovery time and do it all over again tomorrow.