5 Hours

Just completed my first 5-hour training week since January. I understand rest is good, but this is harder than training! The only good thing about taking time-off is that when i do ride, it's a rip! The legs are super rested and ready to roll... Had a good one on Saturday up in Lynn Woods. Jenn convinced me to ride there for a change of pace - i was determined to clean the basement and do other exciting house chores (have to make use of the biking downtime) and argued that it wasn't worth driving 25mins to Lynn when i can roll out the door to the Fells... but i rode Lynn on Jenn's suggestion - and it was a blast!

When i started to really get into riding, i'd roll in Lynn as we lived in Swampscott, right down the road... On Saturday, as i rolled through the old school lines in a short-sleeve jersey, enjoying this last bit of temperate Fall weather, it was nice to think back to where i was and where i've gone in mtbike racing... down the Camel Path, over to the Underhill trail, up and around Walden Pond to the power lines, back down the Overlook trail, then up onto the old Bow Ridge, it was really sweet to see how the skills have developed and improved over the past couple seasons (as i hadn't ridden these trails in at least 2 years).

As dark approached (4pm!) temps quickly plunged from 70 to 50, leaving me shivering while hammering to Swampscott on the road to Dr Mike's house (where my woman was to scoop me up). As i hammered through the twighlight, i once again wondered where i'd be in this sport if i hadn't met andy, brad, daren and others - folks who have had the patience to roll w/me as i gained experience... and in their patience shown me the soul of the sport, that in modesty the soul of riding becomes visible (something i'm still working on)... and i thought of where i'd be if i didn't marry such a generous, thoughtful woman, willing to share me with my passions - and push me to excel in them... 20mins later, as i sat at dr mike's warming-up/stretching, in rolls jenn with a basket of skinless chicken wings, thinking i'd need some protein after my ride...