The busier life gets, the more relaxing it is throw a leg over the saddle and just pedal. If adventuring has taught one thing over the many uncomfortable moments, it's just to keep moving, no matter the pace. Usually you come out the other end better.
Tucson was a nice reprieve from winter's schizophrenic weather this year. For all the hype around Minneapolis' bike friendly nature, Tucson surely leads the way. Just about every road had a bike lane and I continued to stumble on new trails around the city every morning. Highlights were climbing the 25 miles up Mt. Lemmon, celebrating my dad's 60th birthday as an entire family, and watching our two year old splash around endlessly in the pool. Overall, our family came back refreshed and ready to fight March's last winter reminders.
It's been hard to wait patiently for spring gravel and single track to arrive. Many exciting things have happened in the off-season. For one, I have an epic line up of race experiences set for 2017. Whether it's 380 miles of remote gravel, a weekend bike-packing adventure, or familiar single track races that I hope to better, it's bound to be fun. With the arrival of our 2nd child, Greyson, in November, I made the call quickly not to travel much past the Midwest this year. Luckily, all that means is insanely good racing without the miles of travel!
I am also excited to be coached this year by Mark Lalonde. After many years of endurance racing, I have the nuts and bolts of what it takes to get fit. Though admittedly, my knowledge of how to prepare for cycling is pretty new. Last year I accumulated a ton of learning points, racing many different events the entire season. With the return of a coach, the hope is to keep it fresh, focused, and in-check as I've been known to dig my own grave when it comes to training.
Coming up are a series of long road and gravel rides as a friend and I prepare to tackle Alexander 380 in early May. For both of us, that race is a step into the ultra-unknown and we are thinking of it as more of an adventure than a race. For both, it's basically a really long day of base miles with eyes set to a long list of quicker events throughout the season. Just yesterday as we were out doing a bit over a century, I was reminded why I love the longer events.
Not only did we roll down unfamiliar roads that we would never explore by cars, but life was so simple. There wasn't a deadline, set expectation, or agenda for the day. We rode east, spot checking maps once in a while. We stopped and consumed espresso and food, got lost, and continued rolling through highs and lows. Though there is a lot of work to be done between now and May, I can't wait to get lost in the pedal strokes for two entire days.
Cheers
I am also excited to be coached this year by Mark Lalonde. After many years of endurance racing, I have the nuts and bolts of what it takes to get fit. Though admittedly, my knowledge of how to prepare for cycling is pretty new. Last year I accumulated a ton of learning points, racing many different events the entire season. With the return of a coach, the hope is to keep it fresh, focused, and in-check as I've been known to dig my own grave when it comes to training.
Coming up are a series of long road and gravel rides as a friend and I prepare to tackle Alexander 380 in early May. For both of us, that race is a step into the ultra-unknown and we are thinking of it as more of an adventure than a race. For both, it's basically a really long day of base miles with eyes set to a long list of quicker events throughout the season. Just yesterday as we were out doing a bit over a century, I was reminded why I love the longer events.
Not only did we roll down unfamiliar roads that we would never explore by cars, but life was so simple. There wasn't a deadline, set expectation, or agenda for the day. We rode east, spot checking maps once in a while. We stopped and consumed espresso and food, got lost, and continued rolling through highs and lows. Though there is a lot of work to be done between now and May, I can't wait to get lost in the pedal strokes for two entire days.
Cheers