Back in Black

It's been great to be back on the bike again after sporadic spells of commuting in only one day at a time. Lots of reasons, which are either too boring or too long to go into. So to my commute. Well its a 15 mile each way trip, and after day 3 (with 90 miles in the bag) my legs said NO. I'm pleased that I did now, and feel ready and up for it once again.

Commuting in Summer feels like a daily treat as you can pack away the trusty Winter steed and roll on some dark carbon hussy, yes I'm 'Back in Black'. It seems harsh, unkind and almost disrespectful to quickly garage the Winter bike after the long and (generally) flawless service it has offered. More due to being forced into the situation I have had to use the 'Winter Bike' longer into Spring than planned. It made the need/desire/lust to be on a light Summer steed even stronger as the weight which seems to go unnoticed in Winter stick out like a sore thumb come Spring. Very much like when you arrive at your first race/fondo over weight, the desire to be lean, clean and mean burns hard.

So yes I'm approaching June heavier than last year, but the flame of requiring more saddle time seems to be burning stronger than for a long time. A Sportive (although I prefer the word Grand Fondo) looms on Sunday, but I think it'll be the short route. June will provide it's own challenges as I am down to ride the Castelli 24 Hour Crit race. I think this will be a unique experience, and although I will be way out of my comfort zone I'll give it my best shot. July looks like the Grand Fondo Pinarello is on the cards, which I am looking forward to.

So I'd better keep the miles up, as the time will quickly be upon me and the mountains of Italy will stare me in the face.

Reflection

For many people today, tonight and tomorrow will be a period of reflection and will involve the process of looking back, forward to assess the year gone and the year ahead. No doubt if we had a list of 5, one is bound to be unrealistic and the rest within the realms of possibility.

But as a cyclist there any many points within the year that enable the self assessment. Winter in itself is a great time to draw a picture of where you are and where you want to be. The process of training, recording and looking at data is a viable way of moving forward with some tangible results, whether positive or negative. After the cold dark months of Winter and when Spring is still a little around the corner the first Race/Ride against your peers is the next point of reflection. After the hours of training you finally have a real world measure to gauge yourself against.

Depending on when your season starts, and ends, the mid season is the third point where goals are checked, re-evaluated and adjusted. For many people it also echoes a break in intensity in their riding. If you have a family this maybe already chosen for you in the guise of a Summer holiday, don't resent it but embrace it. You'll come back rested and gagging to get back on the bike. For the PRO rider splitting the season into chunks is the only way to hit 'form' and achieve goals throughout the year.

The fourth point is the end of the season. Balance I feel is the best approach here. No point in being too negative, while also at the same time it is highly important to be honest with ones self. Many start thinking about next year then. To a degree I do, but I always wait until January to think about which rides I'd like to do. Then before you know it we are back at the end/beginning of the New Year.

So what am I planning, or what am I looking to resolve. So being a firm believer in the need for goals and having something to aim for here is my list. Like many time and money and the balance of work and family life all need to be considered.

1. Spend more time riding in Belgium. Not sure exactly how this is going to pan out. Whether it'll be one big trip or a series of some long weekends. What I do know is I like the people and the roads are my idea of heaven.
2. Lose that 6 kg that is killing me on the climbs. I'm never going to be a Twiggo, but a little lighter will be better.
3. Spend more time riding with my family. This at times will be frustrating, as it won't be this or that; but what it will be is quality time put into the investment bank of friendship and love. I would loved to have gone riding with my parents as a kid, I can't rob my children of that memory.
4. Sort a Summer commuting bike out. Don't really want to ride the S2 to work, but I'd like to have a lighter machine compared to my Winter Surly.
5. Blog more. I haven't written enough this year, but will try to write more regularly.
6. Get in touch with friends I have lost contact with. This is a whole Pandora's box of possible good and bad experiences.

Here's to a great 2010, on a whole 2009 has been a great year, Best Wishes to you.