Another core day.

Now to get some work work done then sit on the trainer later for an hour or two. update: .

Route Scouting

Did some recon for the aforementioned KINGSoftheVILLE ride, and nobody wanted to join me. Despite colder than forecasted temps (30°F, 18mph winds), lack of sleep and poor nutrition (shoveled some eggs and oatmeal down 20min beforehand), I figured I could knock 60miles solo out w/no issues. The winds ended up breaking me quickly. By the time I reached Kingsville (25mi) my legs were feeling it. Then headed South directly into the headwind and ran into a 2mi and another 4mi stretch of freshly graded gravel that nearly forced me to want to walk the bike. I'd cross a paved intersection thinking "just turn right here and cut the ride/pain short"... but I knew if I'm having these same mental battles out in the Flint Hills during the Dirty Kanza, this would mean a DQ. So I pressed on. Couldn't get comfortable on the bike - feet, back, hands, forearms, neck along with the weakening legs all wanted to just lie down on a massage table for 2 hours. Once I finally had a tailwind it was hard to enjoy, but it expedited my trip home. Found some packed gravel and made it back home eventually. It's been a while since I've felt that shitty on a bike - which was probably a good humbling thing. Always important reminder to appreciate good health and not take the gift of physical ability for granted. We're not getting any younger. So I celebrated by enjoying some date-time with my Lady down on The Plaza and blew through some long-held gift cards at Brio. Calories replenished. Ride yer bike! And keep pushing a little farther when your mind and body tell you to pitch it into the ditch and phone home.

KINGSoftheVILLE Limestone Century

Coming soon - stay tuned...

Traning Day #5

Skiipped out on a 30°F morning ride to sleep in finally. Afternoon was much warmer and the unusual time for me to ride made the familiar 42mi route seem newish - with the low late afternoon light casting across for a different perspective. My Angus friend was still there but only 20ft off the road this time. These are great days.

Training day #3

Yesterday's ride was 45°F at 8am. A quick 20 on the gravel. Smoked some pulled pork out on the patio in the afternoon in shorts and tshirt. This morning I joined up with Todd and Brett at 8am and it was already down to 23°F. Put in 40 miles anyway. The sun was nice but I'm getting too old to ride this cold. Good times, though. Saw an angus bull on a chain in the ditch. Better manners than most farm dogs. Ride yer bike!

Training day #1

Started out lionesque, ended like a fluffy lamb.

Dirty Thoughts

It's been over 5 years since I've ridden my bike 100 miles in one day. Longest ever was on a Katy Trail trip and we stacked a 135mi and 110mi day back to back. Not sure how my body will react now, but hopped on the Dirty Kanza bandwagon and I'm shooting for the whole 200. Might as well do it on a new bike, so this project will keep me thinking crunchy thoughts during these cold months. Speaking of cold, it's snowing hard and in the 20s so I'm headed out for a bike ride.