Quake 'em up, shoot 'em up

I don't know why I'm choosing this time (if any) to write. Maybe I'm concerned for my follower. There's been a post drought since the 'cross season has ended, and I apologize. My follower deserves better. Anyway, I can assure you the real reason is because I feel cyclist-inspired and got a neat picture from a recent ride today (thanks Jloh).

I enjoyed some play time in the snow, and also had my first ride with Cycles 54 last Sunday. It was a great time and I am starting to feel good about the upcoming road season. I have been riding here and there but nothing too serious yet... After the holiday treats disappear from the fridge and all my friends go back to where they came from, I'll be able to start getting my base in. Hope after an intense road season I will be forced to be in better shape for cross.

Other than that I don't have much to say to you, good reader. I had a mini-adventure when we got lost in the woods during a blizzard and couldn't find our way out because of our disappearing tracks (thanks fresh 12" blanket of snow). As we exited the desolate forest, a park ranger greeted us and informed me he was ready to assemble a search party to find our dead frozen bodies. It was fun, nonetheless. Every once in a while I thought our lives were in jeopardy when we knew there was a frozen stream somewhere not far from our current position. It all looked the same under the snow.

Thank you. Hope your holidays have been kind.

To the ocean and beyond... Not the county

I have not written for quite some time. So to all my follower (intentionally singular) out there, be informed that I have purchased a new bicycle. One of the bikes under heavy consideration was the Felt F5. Entry level carbon fiber, 105 components, and the price made it super appealing. What I did not expect was the opportunity to buy a Felt F4 with Ultegra components for about $100 more. I test rode it, loved it, and purchased it. While I enjoyed the Tarmac's frame a bit more, I really liked having the Ultegra groupset on this bike. I had to compromise at some point, since my 2,300$ budget would not allow for the ultimate bike. And to have a hi-mod carbon fiber ultegra bike for that price seemed almost out of this world. So rode, purchased, rode some more, and loved.

"But Arthur, how can you ride that beast in these frigid temperatures?"

Well... no beast she is, first of all. But today I completed my second ever century. And by completed I mean fell 8 miles short of a solid clean 100. That's okay, it was still amazing. Getting to the beach with zero emissions? Practically zero, I did discard some gel packages in trash receptacles. Super. I have learned a lot from my last century, and learned even more this time around. It's a commitment, spending 6 hours inside your head. All you can do is exchange some inner dialogue with yourself. That I knew. I also learned to change hand positions, so no carpal tunnel this time (wahoo). New information? When the first 50 miles of your century seems like a breeze, it probably has something to do with that strong tail wind pushing you along. The last 50 miles will KILL you. And they did, each mile shoving a dagger into my side. By the end I was absolutely Caesar-fied. Also, while the temperature may be 32 degrees, the 16 MPH headwind makes it much cooler. Booties are important, and will be on my to buy list. Double socking it didn't help as much as I had hoped.

I've been reading a lot again, which has inspired me to write. Maybe I'll start a blog where I can post some of my short fiction and literary expeditions...