Todays Ride, 6/22

Greetings Readers!

As predicted, I went out to CPK on Friday for cheat food and drink. I’ve discovered my new favorite pizza. The Carne Asada. Moma, thats comfort food. When can I go back for more? My Sister inlaw and I split a bottle of wine, then went home to the deck, and split another bottle of wine. Bad Jim, Bad boy. I don’t drink too much folks cuz that ain’t helping my plight for my best shape come Oct. I’ve even cut down on the suds, saving my two favorites (Stone IRS, and Deschutes Abyss) for the cyclocross stash. So this was a treat for me, Saturday morning however, I didn’t think so.

Nuthin’ like a wine hangover to start your day folks, it seemed I couldn’t drink enough water nor drink enough coffee to spell the headache that encompassed my entire dome. 5 glasses of wine had left me dazed and confused and I was sweating just fixing a flat for mom from the day before. Angry with myself, I forced my sorry keester onto the bike to pay for my indulgence, I would not let myself just lay around and nurse my hangover. Jeez, I drank a ton of water on yesterday’s ride and hopefully, I sweat out all the wine. What a miserable ride that was. You know how it is hungover, all dehydrated. It was no fun at all. We all have lapses folks, or do we? Or is it I just have lapses? Are the guys and gals killin’ it on the road circut getting drunk on Friday nights? I think not folks, which brings me to the thought of Heidi’s 126 mile post. 126 miles? Crap!  Are you kiddin’ me? My longest ride of the year is 67 miles, and most of them are under 50. I’m behind the eight ball people. Most cyclists are riding, or have ridden, a Century by this time of the year. I’ve this constant little voice in the back of my mind: “your competitors that you’ll be up against come Oct. are riding and training more than you, your not training hard enough!” It’s like what ever I do, its not enough, know what I mean? The reality is I’m riding about as much as my life will allow me. Still, I beat myself up all the time, even though I’m on track for my 2nd quarter goal. I can’t seem to let up on myself about what I’m “not” doing. I struggle to accept the positives that I “am” doing. Sheesh, I passed a guy yesterday that was on mile 82 while training for STP and here I am nursing a hangover covering 30 miles. Oh yea, that felt good, “hi how are you” as I pull up along this nice guy. “I’m on mile 82 training for STP” he says. “Oh, that’s nice, I’m nursing a hangover and riding 30″ I reply. Tell me my head wasn’t hanging low, guilt ridden for the rest of the ride.

Today’s ride was another story, I had company, and let me tell you, riding with others is always better than riding alone. I felt better today, and with comrades the pace is always higher too. We all met up and headed out to Mandys for the best coffee west of Murray Rd.

Pastries and Coffee can do wonders for your ride, and I had a spring in my stroke after gulpin’ the Jo’ and felt strong the rest of the ride. We stayed in a nice little group and traded pulls just chatting away. “The Gunnar”, “Mom”, and “Uncle Tim” joined me today and we all enjoyed a Great Sunday Ride.

I love riding with “The Gunnar” that girl has skills! I’ve a full week of commuting ahead of me and a still sore knee that won’t go away. I’m trying to stay upbeat about it, stessin’ and worryin’ about my knee ain’t going to make it any better. The last thing I need right now is a setback. That would not be good. Nope, not good at all. Hood River CCX is 3 months from today. That is the season opener for me and I love that course, of the 7 races I did last year, Hood River is my favorite. Gawd, I can’t wait for cross season! Can’t wait I tell ya!

Miles ridden today, 40

Miles ridden 2008, 1979.

Cheers!