The New Season Starts

It was hilarious, today was my first real ride after my post-season rest; man do you ever lose your fitness quickly when you don't ride! My buddy, Joe, who had also taken a bunch of time off the bike, came out with me and the two of us suffered. The ride was nothing crazy, just the usual local Sunday group ride, but today it felt like a full on race.

This is a ride that I can do in-season with my eyes closed, without eating or drinking and without worrying about the hurt being put on me too badly by anyone. If anyone is doing the hurting it is me laying on the pressure before the big "sprint".

Today though, everything was tough; little false flats, that I don't normally notice, were taking it out of my legs; my heartrate stayed high the whole time; no gear was comfortable, especially not on the climbs.

Best of all was how hungry I was. At the coffee stop I ate two pastries and was still hungry coming home. At a second stop of the day I decided some more food was in order and chowed down on a beef patty and another pastry, a big one.

Now this afternoon I'm feeling like I did some super ride. I need a nap and feel generally drained. Now I know how the guys, who only ride occasionally, must feel when they come out on the ride. They have earned my respect.

All in all it is worth a big laugh, it's not often that I feel so meek on the bike. It only gives me more motivation to come back stronger than last season. Best of all, after my rest I'm excited to throw my leg over the saddle at the start of the ride, something missing at the end of a long hard season.

So, from now on neither rain nor snow... nah whom I kidding, riding in the rain can wait for a little closer to the season.