changes

yesterday's ride was a good one. the sun came out and a planned lunch-time indoor trainer session found me putting-on the layers and layers of clothes necessary for a comfy early-season spin on dirt and class 4 roads in 25 degree temps. thin snow cover has been down for almost 3wks, but the ground hasn't frozen through, leaving big pockets of water to freeze onto the bike and shoes...


i mentioned before wanting to make changes to the blog... it seems like just posting random rides here and there isn't that productive... in '05 and '06 i wrote a lot of long race reports as i moved through the ranks of expert into semi-pro. in '07 the posts grew less wordy and less frequent... i began to explore the "why?" of racing as i've begun to see that my yearly hrs have reached a peak - and thus my results have as well... why continue racing once you reach the peak? unless i can find a cpl hundred more hrs per yr, i'm not going to get much faster... because it's fun. that's what i learned in '07, i really enjoy the "moments" a race gives you in hindsight...

in '08 i'd like to change the blog. i'd like to add gps maps of where i'm riding here in vermont for others to use when they come to the mad river valley. the trails here are incredible, but barely mapped. with sugarbush adding lift-assist mtbiking back to the mix, this area could become a major destination - mapping all the trails in the area would be a great benefit to those looking to ride beyond the mtn...

i'd like to add more concise training and fueling info. when i started into racing, then endurance, finding a fueling plan was a big challenge... one now almost solved. but, there's always room for improvement...

i'd like to add a lot of things... to make the blog something more than my random ramblings about great rides i've been on... ideas are welcome.

burning it off

winter has come early to the valley and no one is complaining. trying to mix it up and keep some semblance of fitness (on the bike) while also getting-in runs at the 'bush. after eating and drinking for 3 days straight, decided to get-out for a spin...

the (a) view
the roads
the bike
the freak

choices

in order to get-out for this:

didn't do any of this:

not complaining.

sugarbush is looking good, top-to-bottom, 10-day forecast is solid, rock it when you can. hit it up yesterday w/some of the neighborhood crew, found mikey-j end of day. more of the same t-day, minus mj, he was doing the right thing, splittin' wood, dreaming of powder days... pulled the deuce today, out early on the bike while the dirt roads were still frozen, then up to the hill for some runs. i am cooked. everyone around here rips, lots of chasing. good to be tired after a day of goofing-out.

huge props

wanted to send a big shout-out to andy for kicking ass down at La Ruta (on his SS). big props to harry, dr rog, tim d, dicky, reenie, tom, and the rest of the folks we've met while riding our bikes all day. amazing ride guys and girls. tons of pics and write-ups on cyclingnews.com

and yes, i am taking a bit of a bloggin' break. winter's on here, dirt roads turning to mud, singletrack buried under snow... while andy and the rest were sweating it out up volcanos, i was boarding. bluebird day today, good day for some pics from the top of lincoln peak. gonna be a good day.

end of one season, start of another...

after-work rides are at a premium, lights now required. been maximizing daylight, but early NE winter is here and with it the light is gone. 0nly 40'ish days till the shortest day of the year... snow has fallen above 1000-1200 feet, pretty stoked to see the mtns in white, will it be enough for some turkey-day turns!?