Curing Cabin Fever

The period of rest that was recovering from being burnt out turned into a bit of a long spell without any good riding. I fell into a rut and couldn't find the motivation to pull myself out. The weather was cold, the sun wasn't out when I could be, and heck, it's easy to sit on the couch or in front of the computer.

The sun is out longer now and spring is showing itself if but through some small cracks in the cold. Along with some new parts for the bikes I'm getting rather excited to spend some time outside. That, and it's getting mighty tough to sit still.

I've been getting out a little bit here and there. I don't know that I'm quite up for training as of yet, but it sure is nice to get out and enjoy some time rolling around on two wheels. As painful as they were, the couple of hours I spent riding this afternoon gave me some time to think a little about life, friends, the idea of training, and a lot about how strong the wind was.

Thursday night, Tom and I got out after work and rode some trails. I was surprised at just how long it stayed light. We did finish up in the dark and took a few videos while we were out. Click on this link to see Tom ride over the log pyramid, then crash as the video ends.

Here is a clip he got of me coming down the last hill near the exit of the trails.

Night Riding at Trumbull from tjfuzz on Vimeo.

Jump Start or Over Done?

Good weather albeit a little chilly offered a fine chance to get out on the roads this weekend and get some riding in. Nearly 30 miles of relatively easy terrain was made fairly difficult by strong winds and a strong early season Jake. The 27 miles felt like plenty yet not too much. However Sunday's route was to be 'The Colombian', named for our Colombian friend Solin who came up with the route. It is full of challenging climbs that make for a leg busting ride when we are in shape. Being the longest ride to date this year, following one of my more substantial breaks from riding, this ride just plain hurt. The road bike simply couldn't provide enough gearing for me today and I found myself struggling to turn the cranks over at the top of a few hills and standing up for most of the final few climbs with a very slow trudging cadence.

My legs were absolutely trashed by the end of the ride, unable to cope with even the basic pedaling required to cover flat ground. When we all stopped to split ways, I had to cut out of the good-byes early because my legs were locking up. For a while after returning home it was rather painful just to stand up. Sitting was only slightly better. After eating a large amount of food, showering, and a nap though, things were better.

As they say, that which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

Weak and feeble

On the first road ride of the season it was all pain and suffering, except when that tail wind kicked in. Things were good with the tailwind. But the hill Jake and I climbed into a headwind, it made me want to get off the bike. I could barely turn over the gear my legs were so weak, or so they felt. I survived though, and actually felt relatively good by the end of the ride. I also looked like I'd been in a mountain bike race, with all the water and dirt on the roads getting sprayed up in rooster tails by our bikes.