can you tell the season is upon us

No blogging..? But we've been out riding. We'll blog soon. Promise.

Big Rings and Couches

Yesterday, Tony and I clipped in at noon and proceeded to ride from the Lucks Lane parking area near the hospital to the SM clubhouse for another coffee and cobbles ride. To our surprise, we were greeted by the Don, coffee in hand, but no SM kit. I turn to Tony, "looks like were going this one alone." Where'd everybody go today...?

But that's the beauty of the SM. I was not alone and neither was Tony. We were clipped in and pointed to the river. And wouldn't you know, along the way we picked up more black, white, red, and green jerseys. By the time we crossed the bridge and began to climb up Cary Street, what started as 2 guys was now 5 strong.

Hills and cobbles, cobbles and hills and 5 committed guys on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

I love the look of those black jerseys around city streets (that climb up Broad was a bitch of a climb today -- maybe the climb of the day!) and in the big ring whenever we could muster the power. By the time we hit 23rd, my thighs were toast and the cobbles were shaking my body to the marrow (did I say we climbed that in the big ring?) and there was Tony passing me by like I was standing still. What the hell?

So the 5 of us met up at the coffee shop... and whoa! what the? It's always satisfying to see familiar bikes leaning poetically in the sun along a red brick exterior. After a coffee and 5 minutes on a nice, soft couch (a tease, really), we were on our way.

Some miles later, along the river, I was beginning to feel the weight of all those hills on my legs. Thinking that what began as a two man ride, swelled to 5 then 7, was now back down to 3 after a couple quick good-byes and nods of the helmet.

Pedal pedal pedal...
There's a lot of weight to carry on the legs in a small group
Pedal pedal pedal...
Flip your switch and get home.
Pedal pedal pedal...
Soreness starts settling in midway up Old Gun.
Pedal pedal pedal...
Almost home.

Tony and I keep trading turns in that all too familiar quietness that often blankets the last few miles of a good, hard ride. I really enjoy digging deep into that challenging time. This is when the muscles take over and the brain begins to play silly games and you begin thinking about food, a warm shower, the couch... ahhh, the couch!

February 1 -- It's Officially Time to Get Back

So, on the one hand, we have continued to ride throughout the winter. Although, here in Richmond that has not been terribly difficult to do considering that we have had virtually no winter precipitation this year. On the other hand, several of us have gained some weight, lost our speed, and let ours bikes get pretty dirty in between cleanings. Hey, it haaaaaaaaaaaaapens. Just don't pinch the butt.

Today is February 1, and it is officially time to reaffirm the training focus and begin to look forward to the next, immediate goal -- make it to daylight savings time. Yes, that is the most anticipated moment of the year for many cyclists since that is when we can begin to put those weekday trainer riders behind us and start hitting the road for real -- even after regular weekday work hours when most of us are at the computer working. I cannot express the happiness that brings. I think it even puts a shine on some faces. Have you ever see Oliver's face on a Tuesday night ride? Happy Happy...

Along with February first, comes my first annual shave (some might say it's about time), and now my first annual contribution to the SM blog -- it's been too long.

Later today I'll be riding downtown with the group for coffee and cobbles in what is forecasted to be 60 degrees. Who would believe that February would be so balmy? I might even ride without a jacket... Maybe that is a good sign for us cyclists -- kinda like a cycling ground hog day. Oh, I can already hear the parkway calling us now...

Man, I've missed the blog...