First test of 2013

Because of my geographical location it is common for me to train indoors for most of the winter. Say what you want, but I will spin for 90 minutes inside because of weather and darkness. Add those two things together and the glitch with "this is my road" car drivers in my area and there is no way I will be outside in my town. Thankfully, I have been able to sneak out a few times and get some mileage in to test out the legs.

The family and a few friends

A few weeks ago I took the family over to Fort Custer for a day in the snow. We did some sledding and had a fun cookout with a bunch of friends.

Dan brought his Moonlander and we made a few tirps down and then back up the sledding hill. It was a solid climb and I am happy with my 3 trips. So that brings up the next topic of a fat bike......yeah.....what kind of fun could I have with one of those!!! But, a new MTB is first on the schedule so nevermind. ha.

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FAT BIKE? Just borrowed it for a few trips up the hill.

The real test came this past weekend. Barry Roubaix training rides with my team are starting up. Dan T., Jay and I met in Hastings to try the new course roll out. We met at 9am and off we went with temps in the teens. A few miles in we knew it was going to be a long ride because the roads were pretty icy. Jay took a spill at the top of the third sister and I dumped myself about 20 yards later. I slipped again a few miles later but no injuries....so on we went. It was so quiet out there. No cars. Just a few people out on bikes. With the ice it was difficult to climb. I am a power guy and I had to finesse the hills so I didn't spin and fall again.

The good news.....I felt pretty good. I was climbing fairly well and was happy with what training I have accomplished. The first race is coming quick and I am heading in the right direction to be as ready as I can be.

Another reason to put the bike inside the car.

On Sunday we were planning another  BR lap but it was ZERO degrees when I got up. I settled for a lap at Fort Custer following Dan S. He was on his moonlander and I was on my Epic....which was fine...but it was a rough 8 miles for sure. I felt worse after that ride than I did from the 25 miles the day before. Overall, a fun weekend of riding and I am feeling pretty good.

Get out and ride. Or stay indoors and ride. Just ride.

Keep going

What a strange and unusual week. It started with my oldest daughter getting sick. My poor wife started with a sinus infection. I came home early Thursday because I couldn't hold it in anymore, and I feel really bad for the dude in the bathroom. I was down all day Friday, so I missed a day on the trainer. No biggie, I lost 5 pounds overnight. Blech. I know I know, water weight. I ended the week down 3.75 so I really cannot complain. I will take the help. My two little girls both got sick too. Chelle is getting back to normal from her sinus issues, and I hope that the crud has finally left.

I have been doing longer rides on the trainer. 2 90 minute rides started off the week. Then I got sick and mustered an hour on Saturday followed by 1:45 on Sunday. I am feeling 100% and actually sticking to a schedule. Sure, I missed a day but I cannot look back I must keep moving forward.

Hard Rock Hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, 2012

The pic above shows how I have been feeling on the bike. Strong. That will be tested this evening as I have power intervals on the schedule. I realize that the trainer is not real life. I cannot simulate hills, wind, road conditions  or any other science related factors sitting in one place. My legs, though, are still doing the work. Base miles are exactly what they are. Base. Foundation. Start. Beginning. I am building the foundation one day at a time and I know where I want to be. So, I keep going.

Barry Roubaix will be my first test. Training rides will start soon enough if it ever STOPS FREAKING SNOWING in my area. I will ride outside on that course when I can, just not sure when exactly that will be. Going into this race I know I won't win, but I am challenging myself. My season truly starts a few weeks later at the Yankee Springs TT. The first official MTB race of the season. I have a stout goal of sub 1 hour. My fastest time ever is 1:12. Yes, my goal is to shave a full 12 minutes off of my fastest ever time. How? By building the foundation now and continuing to lose weight. My weight goal is 229 or less by this race on April  21st. I still have over 25 pounds to go and about 11 weeks. Safely losing the weight (2lbs a week) is my plan. A flash in the pan diet is not going to work. I like to eat, so good (healthy) food is important. My plan is working so far in 2013. My attitude is way different this year than it has been in the past 2 years. Sure, my January wasn't as strong as I wanted, but the flip switched and I have the goals in range. Lets go.

Yankee TT, 2012 (photo by my lovely wife)