I know that it's July, but something got me thinking about this picture I took back in January on Wagner road. (secretly I just think it's a good picture and I want to show it off a little more...hehe) I have been off the bike for the past month and a half, so I have had plenty of time to think about what type of riding I have done, would like to do and/or will do. I don't think I'm longing for another cold winter, but riding the Blue Hills' sledneck trails in January/February was some of the most spectacular riding I have ever done. From cakewalk pavement flats early last summer, to ATV trail and single-track, to winter snow riding, early spring fixie riding, late spring gravel grinders and back...I'll say I've had the most solid year of riding in my life. It's pretty awesome to ride year-round and see the full spectrum of seasons outdoors...seeing/noticing slight changes from day to day in leaf colors, snow melt, budding of trees, etc. really makes me feel sort of in tune or, kind of like I actually know what's going on in the world...but we all know that's just ridiculous. So anyway, I have neglected to post anything since my crash, but I'll give you a recap of how things are coming along, and probably some additional ramblings...
While recovering from the crash, I was able to squeeze in a few rides here and there on the Lemond (fixed - mostly short rides on the flats just outside of town), the Salsa El Mariachi (29er - simple trails in and around town with a few less active friends/riders), and maybe 2? rides on the Waterford (9-speed STI roadie - cheater bike rides where you seemingly coast everywhere). Finally, this week is the first week where I actually feel comfortable getting a little aggressive on the bike...the shoulder is CERTAINLY not completely healed, but it will do for now...I can sit on the couch no more!
So, I rode my first Turtleback Tuesday group ride last week and met a few excellent riders. I hadn't been on the bike for over a week - I had to work out plenty of kinks - but it was a good 35 mile ride at just under a 22mph average. I took my turn with a few pulls and spent plenty of time socializing as well. They seem like a great group of guys - good camaraderie and a collective enthusiasm for bringing new riders out on Tuesdays, regardless of skill level. I'm really looking forward to getting to know some people in the area interested in the sport. I have yet to determine if any would enjoy accompanying me on some weekend Blue Hills gravel grinders, which seems to be my preference for the time being, but if not, any riding will do!
Even though I was so fired up for an active season of racing, I think I might be throwing in the towel for the time being...I don't have the guts to get racing again just yet. A few more rides could honestly sway that in either direction...we'll see. Actually though, not doing any races for a while might be OK for a number of reasons. I'm still a little concerned with what another crash could do to my shoulder...I would hate to delay the recovery several more weeks/months. Mainly though, I'm really starting to get the itch to do some bikepacking...and I'm also considering stepping it up a notch when it comes to commuting. I think I would truly enjoy doing a handful of 2-3 day bikepacking trips around northern Wisconsin this fall, while learning the ropes of surviving on a bicycle. This is a must if I'm considering races like next year's Trans-Wisconsin, the Trans-Iowa, or maybe one day even something like the Tour Divide. I have little to no experience in multi-day biking excursions...but that could quickly change. I have always enjoyed backpacking, and clearly I have an interest in cycling...what better way to fill an insatiable appetite for the outdoors than to combine the two?!!! This way, I could prepare (actually prepare and correctly prepare) for the Tuscobia this coming winter. I probably won't find a better time in my life than the next 6 months to challenge myself on the bicycle in this particular way...so this could be, as they say, EPIC! I'm really looking forward to a life on the bicycle. These are the gears I'm currently turning...I hope to keep you posted on these happenings...
On another side note...here's a short film by Chris Skogen (MC extraordinaire of the Almanzo 100) about gravel road racing and putting on these types of events. Many props to Chris for hosting such an awesome race!
From the Ground Up from Chris Skogen on Vimeo.
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