Long ride and now rain...

Saturday was cold; spring is not arriving quickly enough. We geared up for a ride and packed up the bikes. Went to the local trails since we are still tuning up for the season. The ride was nice, the wind was cold, but the sun was warm enough. We went in and out of White Clay and Middle Run. Headed back to the cars mid-ride to drop off some of our group and then headed out to Judge Morris. I was still feeling pretty good by the end of the ride and wanted to get in a few extra miles to prepare for the upcoming half so I stayed out while Shawn drove the car home. I got home through Judge Morris and found the trail that was closed off last year is now open again. This is great news, and means we will be able to continue to easily ride from our house.

Once I got home I downed a beer for re-hydration and showered up...we went out to a college friend's house and drank too much and stayed up too late. Sunday was a waste, tired and unmotivated. Now on to the rest of the week...and off to Florida for some sun and warmth! I hope to bring some back up north. With any luck spring will arrive by the time we return. Today it is cold and misting out, tonight will be an indoor ride for sure...

Transition to spin ...

For the past few months Fridays have been my "early" day of the week. This is always a challenge since the week has already worn on me. We plan to get in the water at 5 a.m., but usually arrive on the pool deck by ten after. This morning I got there and did not see my training partner, Joe (he is usually there before me even though he lives a bit farther away.) I had heard my phone buzz last night, but never looked to see who had left a message. When I did not see Joe there I thought for sure it was him saying he would not make it; he had been in Texas and was flying back in last night. So I started my swim, slowly, thinking it sure was a good thing I did not look at the phone because if I had I would not have made it here alone...but as that thought finished in walked Joe.

I squeezed in a mile swim, and we got the last two bikes available. Every week we seem to get the last bike, one of these days we are going to be too late! Got through the 45 minute ride, and made it to work...now for the rest of the day. No plans for this evening yet, but it seems as though it might rain again. I need to get a long ride in this weekend. We are hoping for better weather tomorrow, though this morning I saw a high of 48 ... isn't it supposed to be spring?!?

Today's Endurance Planet episode was a Breakaway Friday program titled, Hills. We do not have too many hills in Delaware. In fact, when I was in Tahoe last year I got laughed at when I said I was from Delaware..."Not too many hills there..." is what I heard. It was true, I suffered through what they consider "Hills." To us it was more of a mountain. There will be more hills this year, but we will have to seek them out.

Kona Kula 2-9

The Kona Kula 2-9 is awesome! I have been riding it for the past few days and noticed a huge difference from my old bike (10 yr old Trek 4500.) It feels so light! Getting up the hills is easier, cornering is amazing. I am flying in and out of trees. I have hit the handle bars a few times through narrow tree openings, maybe these handlebars are a bit wider than the old ones. The best part about the bike is that I can jump! Last night I rode through a section with a jump - I normally get maybe an inch of air on this particular jump ... I got up with the 29er and waited for land again. I had a moment of panic while in the air, but once I felt the ground again, I felt complete exhilaration. This disc brakes are so much smoother than what I was used to. I rented a bike out in Tahoe with disc breaks and could not believe the difference. I feel that I can fly down the hills with more "stopping" confidence. This bike is going to be great to race on and it definitely will be a pleasure to train on. More than ever, I can not wait to get out on the trails. Too bad it is raining today! Probably good idea to take a break tonight though.