Rip it

Wow, 60 degrees this morning when rode in at 6:30am, it’s the kind of weather that makes you happy just to be on your bike. Another thing that makes me happy, riding past the gas stations when regular is at $3.55. I haven’t filled up since April 13th and I still have more than a quarter tank; I am thinking I will be able to go every other week before I have to fill ‘er up.

So occasionally when I pack my bag the night before I ride in I will forget something, usually it’s a belt. Today I forgot socks, so I am rockin my EFTA socks with the frog saying RIPPP IT on ‘em. Ha, they defiantly go with the dress shoes. Yeah, I am pretty much a fashion icon.

I also noticed a trend when riding in, of all the vehicles that buzz me; 90% of the time they are pick-up trucks with big American flag stickers or even the occasional confederate flag. If there is one thing red-necks hate while driving its skinny white dudes in spandex blocking their “road”. I am thinking if I put a big American flag patch on my bag it might persuade them to give me a little more room…

First Mountain Bike Ride

I finally got out for my first mountain bike ride of the season this weekend. I did 15 miles at Pisgah on Saturday and 10 at Harold Parker on Sunday. I was surprised to find that my technical skills were pretty solid, usually the first ride of the season can be kinda shaky. I was psyched to clean a few lines that can trip me up even in the middle of the season. I also felt pretty good on the climbs, now I just have to build on the speed, first Tuesday-night time trial is next week.

Valley Rally

The Telegram & Gazette ran an article on the upcoming Treasure Valley Rally that I spent some time this winter helping Russ lay out.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20080413/COLUMN31/47359254/-1/SPORTS_COLUMNS

This is gonna be a fun race, I think we have a really good course.

Ride to work

Wow, it's been a long winter, but I finally got my first ride into work for 2008 (April 8th). It was a cold start at just 31 degrees out, but I got a pair of winter tights so I was pretty comfortable. Just the fingers and toes were a little cold. This time of year it's tough to ride to work, I get on the road around 6:30 when it's in the 30's and when I come home it's typically closer to 50ish; layers are key.

For this early in the season I guess my time was respectable at 25:30. I think last year during my peak I was making into work in the low 20's; so I need to shave a few minutes off this time.

Update:
I checked up on my times from last year. My first ride into work took 30 minutes so my time of 25 minutes was actually pretty good. Also I got started a few days earlier; last years first ride was April 20.