mail call

Every time I ride I do something a little different, maybe even a little better.

Yesterday I took almost every hill out of the saddle AND in my big gear. I only faltered on one really long climb that I started out of the saddle in my big gear, dropped to my middle ring, and then finally had to sit down and use the baby ring. But it was a long hill. Overall, I was pretty proud of myself. And it was a new route too, so that was nice and refreshing.

I still don't think I'm going to be quite ready to ride with the rest of the NYUNADS this coming weekend though.

Also forgot to mention that I discovered a new hazard on the road. Not people talking on their cell phones or playing with iPods, not hidden holes or grates in the road, not irate rednecks with shotgun racks in their pick-up trucks, none of those things.

Open mailboxes.
Ouch.

I almost clipped my shoulder last week and weaved out of the way just in time. That definitely would have left a mark, might have even knocked me off Helix.

Beware the open mailbox.

just like Jan, sort of

Today was big day for Cupcake in a few ways.

First I left the house without my sunglasses. Rookie mistake that fortunately didn't affect me too much. Maybe the color on my face will even out a bit more.

Since I slept in a little longer than anticipated I needed to truncate today's ride (had to come to work early enough to get home to watch some football - specifically to see if I can spot Bags in the crowd in South Bend).

Two big things happened. As Bags will attest I am neither good at nor comfortable with being out of the saddle for very long, although I did get better with his instruction and motivation. On two small climbs today (out of the neighborhood and the first hill up Briarcliff) I did them entirely out of the saddle. And I didn't feel bad.

The other big accomplishment was that I stayed in my big gear for 90% of my ride and pushed myself more than usual. I discovered while Bags was here that even though I felt like I was getting good rides the reason I didn't feel like I was getting any better was because I wasn't pushing myself hard enough.

Overall, a good day. Since I've got no plans tomorrow it should be a longer ride. Counting down the days until NJ...

overused and underpaid

Last night was my first night playing volleyball since Nationals at the end of May.

I now know why cycling (or another sport that doesn't involve the use of my shoulder) needs to be my sport of the future. And yes, Dad, I know you told me to take up golf years ago for this very reason.

Playing volleyball for roughly 16 years has put my shoulder in a tender position. I can barely move it after only one night of play. On the bright side, because of the cycling I wasn't as out of shape as I usually am when the season starts. Cardio-wise I felt pretty good and by the end of the night whatever little bit of jump I had started to come back. Unfortunately, none of that really helps me if my shoulder is hanging on by a thread - we can all guess that defense is not my strong point and hitting is my golden ticket.

Ok, so I exaggerate, it's not really hanging by a lone tendon, but it is pretty sore. I'm hoping that playing once a week won't aggravate it more than usual until the coaching season starts after Thanksgiving. That's what really does me in for the year.

That being said, Helix will see some pavement today.

work? what's that?

Wow, has it really been 14 days since my last post?

Don't fret - just because the posting was lacking doesn't mean I wasn't riding. Actually, I think I had ridden quite a bit, and then the yankees got here.

Most of you already know what a sloth-fest it was the week the Bags' clan was here. It was brilliant. I have never played so much PS2 in my entire life. And actually, haven't played it but once since they left. I was starting to get calluses on my thumbs.

But I have to say I think I know how the Beak feels, or rather, how the Beak FELT since as of this past weekend he has advanced his standard of cycling. I thought I was a decent rider, and then Bags got here and I realized how much I sucked. It was nothing short of demoralizing the first day. After that I just accepted it and had a good ride our second day out.

Only three weeks until the October Challenge, which I am now dreading given the perspective of how I really stack up, at least to Bags. I can now definitively say, without a doubt, were it to be a race, Team Chianti would crumble like queso fresco.

But alas, we all just ride to have fun, right? Who cares about winning, right? Yeah, I know, who am I kidding?