Today arrived cold and snowy. Not much was sticking and in the early afternoon I thought the skies to the west were clearing. I really wanted to get out and ride my bike. Wet roads left me with the resolve to ride, but not the skinny tire bike. So I got ready and set out to on a mountain bike adventure.

Just as I headed down the hill the snow started fallling again. The flakes were wet and heavy. My glasses began to fog and soon were covered with water spots. I thought about turning back. I resolved to stay our for at least an hour. I had thoughts of Lance Armstrong as I reached the bottom of the hill and started a two mile, 500 foot ascent.

I recall reading about Lance going out in bad weather for long training rides. He's known to train when some of his team mates refuse. I found myself wishing that I could go out and ride with Lance in this wet, snowy mess of weather. I rode for 62 minutes today and covered just over 12 miles. Pretty miserable. Very slow. And every crank there was a smile on my face. Passing drivers probably thought I was a bit insane, touched in the head, if you will.

I could never be an elite athlete. I just don't have the genes. But I probably could have been an okay professional cyclist. And I can be like the big dog bikers in one respect. I can go out on a tough training day and give an unusual effort. I can be strong, mentally and physically, even if I can't be great.

My ride finally ended. My clothes where heavy with water and I was starting to get a little chilled. I took off my glasses early into the trip and enjoyed the feeling of flakes and the rush of cold wind in my face. I need to get some cold weather, waterproof clothes if riding in bad weather is going to become routine. I'm realistic about being old and slow. But I do so enjoy getting out, even when it seems a bit crazy............
9:39:28 PM    comment []