Ahhhhh, the slop, the snow and the pain

Riding with Strongheart
Okay, I did my part today in helping with the ongoing training of our faithful few who are dedicating countless hours to kids who need the help. Strongheart! Let me start by saying that heavy training in the winter months really pays off. It didn't for me as I have not kept up with it at all but today was a wake up call for the season. Thanks to Presidents Day, I had the day off. Tina and the kids took off for the day to a family friends house and I was left with too much time on my hands. Above freezing temps, wet roads, cold weather gear, my trusty Cannondale and Neil - what more do you need for a grueling ride? At 2 pm I was greeted at Trailhead by Stew and Larry - exchanged greetings, talked a little bike lingo, talked about Fat Tire and then the back door opened and Neil was ready to roll. We found a really neat route that mixed up some road, hills, slop, dirt....a nice 6-8 mile loop out at super preem. At super preem take a right, go past the church ( follow left on Fernbrook) to your first right. Take that to Zanzibar and turn right ( gravel) to south diamond lake road, take a right back to the base of super preem. Today ... it was muddy and a bit difficult with road tires. Okay, it wasn't the tires so much as it was that I haven't ridden that much. Neil looked great - well, he better, he is riding across America this summer. I was good for about 10 miles and then I was left in the dust. My brain was thinking last summer and my body was screaming " what are you doing?" It was a wake up call to say the least. I logged 35.5 miles from my home and the bonking wasn't fun either. It is a delicate balance this fitness thing... When I made it to Dunn Bros. I realized I had eaten Kashi Oatmeal, which is really good, for breakfast...and two tacos and Hostess Ho Ho's for lunch. No one in their right mind would do this in the summer so I am not sure what I was thinking. BUT - as Neil said, as he always says...." Hey, your out here man - that's what counts!" So, make this early spring count. If you think it is too early to pound the miles - talk to Neil and Bernie....they have many miles to count before the Ride Across America.
My hats off to you guys and thank you Neil for starting my season off right.... in pain.