Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live – Mark Twain
I am not a morning person. I have no problem staying up late, but my morning routine involves the ability to hit the snooze or tell Google to wake me “later” virtually without waking up…that is, unless I am going riding. I am still not crazy about getting up early, but the thought of getting on my bike, is the push I need to roll out and hit the streets on my Roubaix.
It is two weeks till the TdS and that means I have pretty much hit the peak of my training plan. Sunday’s morning ride was 67 miles. It actually seemed a bit cool (what??) at 5:00 am before the sun hit the horizon. For this length of a ride, I try to make sure I pace myself and pay attention to hydration and eating. I usually try to “zone out” and get in a rhythm on the bike, but what usually happens is that you start thinking about little aches and pains and then begin go wonder…what is going to hurt today? Will my hands get numb…will I get hotspots on my foot…will my arms get sore…will my butt start to hurt? It seems to be a somewhat self full-filling so it is really important to try to focus outside the bike and hour body. When I can do that…the ride just seems to fly by. It is also much easier to ride in a group…as long as you are matched with riders of similar or slightly better ability. The group truly seems to support a higher performance level and an ability to complete rides much more effectively. Our ride last year to Rocky Point for 1Mission is a great example. I would not have made it up the Ajo hill…into the wind…without the support of my group. Cycling seems to be both an individual and group endeavor. Sometimes is is difficult to separate the two, but the physical and psychological impact of riding with a group can not be overstated.
Completed the 67 miles today solo without incident (no flats!!!). Rolling into my rest day tomorrow and then back on the training plan on Tuesday to continue to taper down to the fitness level and recovery level I will need for the ride on Oct. 7th. Stay tuned…
azclippedin 