Hell of the North County

This Sunday which was Paris Roubaix for the professional hardmen was also the first official ride of the year for me. Nexus Cycling the local racing club put on an event that featured lots of climbing and lots of unpaved surfaces, called "Hell of the North County". I knew from the course description that it was a bit beyond what my legs had in them, but decided to start anyway. The first climb up Old Stagecoach found me well behind the pack but still ahead of two out of the twenty or so that started. So good not to be DFL. The next section where points were available was a road sprint and even though I was riding my porky touring bike with cyclocross tires, I went for it. I did decently getting 8th or so. The next climb back up to the top of Cuesta Grade again saw me near the back. The race back downhill on the dirt went all right. I finished seventh even though I started towards the back. I discovered that My rear tire was just about flat at the bottom which I'm sure had some effect. I started the climb up Perfumo when both legs and the clock ran out on me. I had to make an appearance at the winery so I headed for the showers. Later in the day we all met up at the brewpub to eat pizzas drink beer and watch the real "Hell of the North". A great race that a relatively unknown domestique, Van Summerun, won. Gotta love those Cinderella stories.

resting or slacking

It's always a valid question whether you're resting or just being a lazy bum. Today is a perfect example. Yes, it's cold. Yes, I feel mentally tired. Yes, I have an extreme ride planned for two days from now. Yes, my left eye has some sort of bacterial infection. All of these argue for taking it easy and being fully fresh for the weekend starting tomorrow, but still I feel a bit guilty that I'm not racing home now to spend a cold hour on the bike just before dark. One of these days and it won't be long. I won't be singing this song.