Grocery

At lunch I went to get a bagel at the grocery store, they were
playing Whitesnake over the PA system, what kind of bullshit is that?
Ruining my shopping experience. I wasn't going to the store to listen
to bad 80s hair-shit rock. At least my lunch ended up being good. The
dark commute is adding another level to the rides, tempo followed by
increased food makes the day's rides that much better. Ducking in and
out of the shadows adds a lot to the day, volume lower on the iPod
and higher on the wheels. Without fail the program gets better when
this happens. Especially this late in the season. States and Nats are
looking better and better. Good blinky lights and better legs carry
me home through the winds. Pushing gears for the first time in 10
days felt weird, like I was cheating, better to know than not. I know
now.

Later

It's getting late, two days in a row on dirt in November at home, I
can't believe what luck to get my treats so late in the year. Late
night in the dark across the frozen mud, today a bit drier, with
daylight. You can't buy this fun. You could try, People have, but I
prefer my own treat. I stopped for a snack mid way through the ride,
sort of jerky like. Solo has been plan, this winter it will be more
of the same if the Epic is on the plate for July, how else can the
base be built for 5 consecutive 100k+ days on dirt? Singletrack in
November, listening to the coyotes, hiding out in the woods, perfect!

Crucial

Singletrack in the early part of the day to keep the cold out of the
legs, longer later in the day on the paved paths. More changes to
come, mix it up and get the new set up ready. Looking for order in
the singular chaos. The numbers are all in place. Putting away days
like today is the best part of the whole equation, no steady
institutional agenda, loose program to enjoy what's left.

Blur

It fades in the blink of an eye, the sun going down and the darkness
creeps in, lights enough to get home if they are paying attention,
just a minute, just a second if they are not. So far so good day 5 of
the new layout, the one not-stupid thing GWB has done. More daylight
to get me home. It really is all about me. Thanks for that moment.
Just a second of the day on trails that should be closed by now, this
global warming thing isn't so bad at 9000 ft. I got to ride stuff
that should be in transition to nordic season, real nordic, you know,
skiing. Not this.

Clear

I feel clear(er) than I have in weeks, the wins aren't coming the way I like in cross, it's better this way, earn the finishes that are under appreciated. I am enjoying the process more and more maybe I am more of a mtb racer than a cross racer this season, waiting on '08 to come to right. Soon, I hope. Putting it together to make it clear, see what is on the calendar, Epic? Right out the front door. I'm in.

Wed AM CX

Rocco has the most Rockin' Mullet in Colorado, I haven't been out of the state in a few months so I don't know of the mullet factor in other places, but he has the best one going for sure around these parts. He went to bike practice today, I played hooky, from all of it, work and well, work too.

Rolling

Settling into a rhythm as the roads freeze and the trails are closed, poaching the last few rides up the canyon, rolling better and better as cross season wears on. New light in my old head.

2/5

Getting into the ground is getting pretty hard this time of year, it is frozen and unforgiving. The more I try, I come up empty. I know where the better shovels are, the smarter entrance but I can't get there. Waking up too early because of the time change and the aching in the legs isn't helping me get into the ground. Hiding out in plain site. Fractions were never my strong suit, I got them but mastery was another story, 2/5, that's what I got out of the weekend, over it now but the bummed legs and bruised knee isn't changing anything. This weekend may begin the shift, get ready for the end, the pictures are all there, the project evolving. Not sure; carbon or regular chain drive but it's time. Ready? Clearing out the head with 1554 or Stella does the trick and adds a nice fog too. Rolling across the slowly freezing tundra as though I'm headed out into the moors brings a smile. Except the fog is inside not outside. Tonight maybe a switch back to the Mothership. MMMMMmmmmmm good.

Redlined

I'm wondering if I left my form somewhere in the middle of mountain
bike season. Not sure where it went but I keep looking. Suffering
like a pig alone in the wind didn't get me a better finish than 5th
today. I earned what I got, no gifts, I wasn't faster and got
screwed , I wasn't fast. Great racing anyway, following some of the
best guys around and getting to see what other styles are like on a
courses we have done a million times. Guys riding sand I would
normally run, not remembering to close doors I left open. Mistakes
that added up but not enough to clear the ledger and move up 5 spots.
Tomorrow will be better, it always is!

I hear the race these days, not the music, still looking for the
middle, and the top step. Not mid-pack, mid top 10, get the music
going and get it through the end of the race, push on my terms, get
there when it counts not too early, maybe too late is early.

Xenophobe?

You can't fix crazy. A day in the city, seeing a lot of the things city-folk see everyday and deal with is not something we are accustomed to. Living in our unintentionally homogeneous world seeing the crazies and would-be drug dealers throws us for a loop. Stacks of cash in a bank on East Colfax changing hands makes me uncomfortable. The guy yelling at the Latina cashier who couldn't sell him a burrito because it wasn't yet scanned into the POS system was a bit frightening, I was wondering if he would shoot me first or the girl. I hoped she would get the first shot because I let him in line in front of me in one of those awkward 'you go first' moments so I can watch you instead of the you (crazy guy) behind me in line pondering where in the neck you are going to stab me. I know I over reacting, it doesn't mean the city is for everyone, I like living out of the way, in my own little bubble, I'd rather worry about bears and mtn lions than crackheads and crazies.