What's been happening....

--The days & weeks have somehow clocked by since doing my last race of the 2010 season, the UPCross cyclo-cross Series Championship in mid November. A reasonably good finish to a season where I had no reason to be bummed about much. A better focus and an improved tolerance (or determination) for handling winter training early in the year laid a better foundation along with the cumulative effect of training over last ½ dozen years had to play a role as well. Six overall wins, a nice amount of top 10 finishes and breaking the Chequamegon 40 Top 50 made for this 23 race season to be quite rewarding. Even with untimely sickness & setbacks from time to time (Ore to Shore, Calumet Great Deer Chase & UPCross Championship) I can’t complain.

--I tried to train through December, physically I seemed to be fine but but mentally a break sure was necessary. Once the holidays hit I took a break and actually felt rejuvenated some from what was easily my longest racing season ever. It’s also given me a good amount of time to reflect on things as well. One of my wiser decisions, despite some fanatical enthusiasm from one Charles Farrow, was passing on the Tuscobia 75/150 race in December. Look what it did to that guy…. …sorry Charlie, maybe someday. Perhaps when it’s frozen hard crusty snow, 30 degrees and no wind.

Winter biking isn’t really all that bad once you figure out the right combination to make it possible and bite the bullet of what conditions are rideable and what aren’t. I’ll ride as low as 10 degrees provided there is little or now wind, otherwise it’s gotta be nearly 20 degrees depending on wind that day. Heated booties, good ‘ole chopper mitts, a couple pair of bibs and with enough jerseys & jackets it beats rollers or a trainer any day of the week. I recently added ski goggles to the mix and outside of seeing an orange tinted world it’s really good gear to use. I wish I'd used it in years past.

People will ask why I don’t ski. I do, it’s just a matter of available time and what’s easier to get out & do. Sometimes waxing & prepping for a ride to a local ski trail takes longer than bundling up & jumping out the door for a spin on the bike. A workout is a workout this time of year.

Couple of winter tales & makeshift mechanical work to share later....