Alter

Little scene before the opening. The early first season starts slow on one side and faster on another. Always putting in the time, minimal tools, Merckx style, get in the beauty of the process and enjoy the bike, everything else will come in time.

Shapes

It's pretty cool to see new things in old places. Too many random ideas to remember, what was that last landmark? Is the perfect circle round? Or, is it better to be an oval? Looking at the different shapes and sizes change perspective. Are the keys fitting in the locks? I hear the difference, it all sounds the same until you really listen.

OK

Good time yesterday, enough of the right work to make it worthwhile, stress builds strength. I have the pieces all laid out in front of me, the keys are in my pocket and the puzzle isn't as hard as it was a month ago. I picked a goal, it's a bit too close to really do anything special about it, I know the distance will hurt, especially since the weather is only now allowing three hour days. I hope it will lead to good rides at Mt. Evans and possibly F50 if the stars align. Things need to happen in the right order for that to work out. The racing is always good when the prep is right.

Ride

Somehow an unscheduled day off got me out the door before the snow came down. 2 hours before 7.45 am, that's what Ludo would have done. He would do three hours before going to work in a paint factory, I have it easy. Really easy. Rolling thru the time, building, always building. It piles up faster than I realize, now another break for a few days only to return to a block of races. Straight bars and bent ones too. Ride your damn bike...

Solo

Clearing it all out, I forget the work it takes to do the right thing. Ride out of the house little trails both ways, 2 hours feels like 3, work is work. Listen to the system, the order adjusts to arrive better, no bailing out because it's not fast. The road bike spoils me, I need more time on the mtb, the new tool in the box, the new bike smell hangs in the air and I remember why it's there. All in, season is on, even if it is a little early for real dirt. I'll take my little pieces and be stronger for it. Peaceful, solo. 

More Friday

Was the climb still a good idea? I think so, how bad could a 90 minute ride be? After all it is May 23. Maybe it's clear above, it was, somehow it blew thru and I only descended into some of this, lucky.

Friday

I climbed up thru the snow, after a while it let up enough to let me go above. Near the top of the pass it was easier, the wind died down a bit and made the ride a bit easier. Of course the descent was going to be different, no better than most of the rides that go this high when you should be on the flats. Plenty of time to wonder how the legs are going to respond to the work. Plenty of time to think about when the trails will be dry enough where I want to ride. Little pockets of dirt are rideable, not the longer connectors I want/need.

Peppers

I daydreamed a ride that was on a long narrow tortilla, freshly steamed with sharp cheddar and hot habanero peppers. As I got hungry I reached down and grabbed a piece off the road and ate, I kept going all day, up and over the Tourmalet, I never made it to the Ventoux. Mountain Springs were everywhere I needed water. Perfect.

Not that bad

For whatever reason I can't explain this last storm didn't crack me. I woke up today and rode in to work without hesitation, I like washing the bikes, I have the tools in the box and the good stuff is close. Lookout, the motivation is building.

Shingo

He didn't make it past the first round of the 20th tournament. Fell off where he had the footing. Bummer.