Winter is still here

Yes, winter is every bit still here.  Cold temps and steady snowfall over the past week or so have remained.  Everybody is grumbling about the cold and the snow.  I’ve embraced it, it’s really not all that bad.  I’ve dealt with plenty of cold, harsh winters back in Upstate NY and well, honestly this is pretty mild and short compared.  However, racing is next frigging weekend down in Arizona for the 24 hours of Old Pueblo.  That means, literally no time to slack off.

I’ve been hitting the rollers steadily this past week.  Steady diet of Sweet Spot Bursts, Tempo work.  Even a few Sufferfest videos to mix in some intensity to prep of the upcoming race.  Coupla days here and there on the skate skis & even ran into Mr. Baddick on Saturday at South Boulder park turning some laps.  I ‘attempted’ to follow on the skinny skis as much as I could, but don’t let him fool you he’s pretty quick on them.  I only managed to catch up to him when he took a tumble down the big hill , but naturally I fell flat on my face on the flats when I was trying to put some time into him.  It was all in good fun and is still hard as shit no matter how many times I try to get out there and practice.  I still need to get up to Eldora and take a lesson from Peter.

After a week on the rollers and the only outside time on the skis, today I’d had enough.  Dry Roads was all that was needed to motivate me.  20 degree temps, dealt with them plenty.  I’ve got all the gear, didn’t even have to really HTFU.  It was just due time to get outside and ride.  I mean if I didn’t know how can I justify myself when B-House is pulling off 6 hour rides in those temps and laughing his way to the top of the podium.  Gotten a little soft out here in the 45 degree winter temps.  Manned up, layered up, sent out the texts and was joined by Carson and fellow Epic teammate Brian Sells.

21 degrees, been a while

In a way it was kinda nice and exhilarating.  It was peaceful for sure.  My legs were blown from the skiing and hitting the rollers hard the past few.  But it was all damn worthwhile. …..And I figured out why I was struggling so hard to catch up and go forward > my damn bottom bracket is hosed/was frozen.  Would barely turn 1/12 of a stroke when I pushed it forward.  200 watts felt like 400 as all my energy was being wasted pushing through.  Whoopsie, should’ve fixed that a bit ago, but no need a new road bike is en route (tomorrow/tuesday??).

It was as cold as it looks

In the end, was far better to be outside than inside.  Here’s to 70 degree temps, dodging cacti and kicking some ass next weekend at OP!