Go for the gold...or the cheese

If I can race today with as little fear as the people in this video, I'll either crash hard or win big!

Even more riding

I completed my 3-day weekend with even more riding on Monday. Scattered showers scattered over our Paragon route. Our sunglasses became fogged up and wet rendering them useless against the pelting drops. The rain came down so hard at one point it was stinging our legs and sometimes our faces. I actually asked if it was hailing, which drew laughter. We found a church porch that sheltered us for a couple of minutes until the rain eased. I snapped a couple of photos with my iPhone and also checked the radar...gotta love technology. Since we were already wet we decided to take the long route back to town.

Of course a good weekend of rides can't be complete without coming home to something in the yard. Remember the junk car? Thankfully, someone else just had to have it and gladly hauled it away. After Monday's ride, a yard roller was delivered. To my husband's credit, I knew about this in advance. I was with him when he negotiated the deal--with my grandfather. Even my own family takes his side! Yes, my grandfather made this yard roller for my uncle who sold it to my husband. I wondered what his motive really was when he volunteered to go to pizza night with me. It was a field trip in disguise to inspect the contraption. Ain't it a beauty? It supposedly weighs over 600 lbs. Forgive my lack of excitement.

Release your fears

3 Day Weekend!!! The goals of a 3 day weekend are to ride, ride, and ride. I've managed 2 of 3 days so far. With some rain in the area today, I've scratched the mountain bike ride and hope to get on the road later.

Along with long weekends come busy trails, or so I'm assuming. I met some buddies at Muscatatuck to pre-ride the July race course instead of the nearby favorite Brown County. We surmised that the BCSP trails would be full of riders and hikers. I'm SO glad we went further south as we were the only bikers in the place. The Muscatatuck trails have never been my favorite; in fact, I somewhat dreaded them. They seemed more technical than the other trail systems. (They are NOT more technical.) There is still one section giving me trouble referred to as the V-rock; I'll have to go back soon to conquer it.

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." - Yoda

I've released my fear of this trail, though I still suffered. In the short, 5 mile lap, there is over 1000 feet of climbing! The race calls for 3 laps. My legs will scream, and I will smile with no more fear.

Too much energy wasted on worrying

I do it all the time; worry about things I shouldn't--mostly people. Lately I've wasted a lot of energy with worry. Easier said than done, but here's my current mantra courtesy of Bob Marley.

Along with worry and wasted energy comes reflection. Since the crash in my last race, I've been skittish when I ride the trails, which is OK. It's good to pause and reflect to move on. But the deep questions start pouring out. Why do I race bicycles? Why do I train without fully committing? Yes, I do put in time, but not the right kind--not the proper workouts that will help get me to the finish line first. I don't commit all of myself to competition, like eating right or stretching often.

My answer has always been keeping the balance between work and play. Riding is fun, training is fun, and racing is fun. The race where I had the most fun was Westwood last year when I came in last! I smiled through the entire course; everything was flowing just right, my speed was good. I had the same feeling I get every time I'm on a bicycle: like an 8-year old on a bicycle--free, uninhibited.

But if I start structured workouts with a plan, will it still be exciting or will it be a job? I think it's time to find out because another worry is complacency. If I don't push to another level I'll stagnate, or worse, fall behind.

So, perhaps it's time to think seriously about a coach. Why not give it a try? I'll do some research and soul searching and see if I can find the same balance. I doubt it will be this season, but the Fall may be a good time to start. We'll see......in the mean time, don't worry.

Radar

I wonder if I'll be riding outside this afternoon......

The Touchables

This weekend was spectacular for riding, and I took advantage of it. Due to the wind forecast, the girls decided to postpone my favorite Bear Wallow ride and opt for Martinsville instead. I love this route almost as much and even like climbing a couple of hills. (I know it's progress in my cycling career when I admit to liking climbs.)

On the way to Martintucky, we pass a stone sculptor's house. The yard is filled with his work; we can't even see most of it from the road. It's called The Touchables--check out the pics. I recall being on a guided tour one day and seeing a life-sized chess board and pieces. Sadly, due to vandalism, tours are by appointment only. We vowed to schedule one in advance next time we do the ride. Cheryl got some great pics from the road; she posted some on her site. My favorite is the lizard-like creature. Here are some dolphins that would look good in my yard.

I turned around early w/ Mer due to time constraints and enjoyed passing the garden again.

Sunday was another gorgeous day, and I opted for a trail ride. Still tentative from my crash, I took it easy as I wasn't really feeling the groove. It's all good, though. Injuries are healing, poison ivy is going away, and my confidence will come back. Races are good for that--getting in the zone. Before the crash in Warsaw, I was totally in the zone doing what I was supposed to do: concentrating on boobs to the tube, relaxing my shoulders, and leaning in to the corners without braking. It was so much fun regardless of where the competition was. It was starting to feel natural.

Oh-I should also mention the waffles I had for breakfast. After reading Liz's blog, I decided this waffle-maker would be a superb gift for my neighbor. I bought one and gave it to the family next door. Sunday I was rewarded with fantastic waffles in the shape of cows, barns, chickens, and pigs. How awesome is that?!?!?

First Race and Jumping Trees

Rain, Rain, Rain--the forecast for this weekend screamed of rain. I was not looking forward to racing the first race of the season in the mud. Not only is it painful and frustrating, it's hard on the equipment. After last year's race during Hurricane Ike, I had to change my brake pads.

We got up at 0'dark-thirty and loaded the van with 3 bikes and 4 people. On the back was the trailer that would haul Jason's new E-bay purchase. Coincidentally, the Hobie 18 he bought was only 12 miles from our race course--how convenient. (The link isn't the one we bought--it's just a cool pic I googled of a wild ride!)

To our surpise, the course was in perfect condition; not tacky and not dusty. The temps hovered in the low 60s with sunshine and a gentle breeze. Who could ask for better conditions?

I entered the woods in 7th out of a surprising turnout of 9 or 10 women Expert & Pro riders. This was a big field (for a women's category) as the Northern Indiana Fat and Skinny Tire Fest brought crowds from all the surrounding midwestern states. I quickly caught up to 5th & 6th place with Meredith right behind me. I stayed on their wheels until I fully recovered and found a chance to pass. The Winona Lake trail is very twisty with few places to pass; the Cat 2 guys in front of us were super cool allowing us to get around quickly.

Three quarters of the way through the first of 2 laps, I saw the 4th place rider and was getting ready to make my move when a tree jumped out in front of me. As I turned a right-hand corner to go down a little hill, my handle bar clipped a tree taking my front wheel out from under me. My thought process went something like this:

1) Crap, I just hit the tree with my bar; that's bad.

2) Maybe I won't go down.

3) Ahhhh, I'm going down!

4) Ahhhh, my calf hurts! Can I walk?

I went flying through the air and landed off the trail getting banged up and bruised up during my sweep of the forest. Deciding I was fit to ride, I picked my bike up and noticed the flat front tire. UGH. I got out my CO2 cartridges and expended both of them without successfully inflating the tire (they're tubeless). Then, I remembered I brought a tube to put in it; YES! Uh oh--I just used all my air. So, I did the walk of shame with bike in tow to the finish line.

Note that my brand new helmet given to me by the Bicycle Station was unscathed in this debacle. An inventory of injuries includes bruised calf, scraped/bruised quad, bruised inner thigh, scraped/bruised shoulder, bruised nose (where my sunglasses hit presumably--thankfully no vision or nasal problems), and a slightly strained wrist or forearm.

To make up for Saturday's lackluster performance, I managed to do 2 road rides on Sunday in an effort to ramp up fitness. The first was a 40-mile Randi ride heading towards Paragon and back, and the second was a 13-mile stroll by Lake Lemon. Tomorrow is a recovery ride. Woohoo! In addition to the ramped up bicycle time, I'm looking forward to screaming around Lake Lemon on the new Hobie.