St. Patrick's Day

Now that I'm actually starting to be able to ride comfortably outside, I should have a few more things to write about. It’s not that I wasn’t riding outside at all, it just wasn’t worth writing the same thing three times a week:

Fuck it’s cold.

Yeah I know there are people like Mike Curiak riding across Alaska. I know there are people that are commuting to work in like temperatures. I fully recognize these guys are tougher than me. They’re purple belts. If I could amputate my hands, I would probably be ok.

I managed to get out on the road Saturday for a 60 mile jaunt. I felt pretty good the entire way through. I could have probably done a better job at eating throughout the ride; something to work on. I took the cross bike with 30c tires and full fenders. It’s kind of a goat, but the ride was nice. I don’t have proper road wheels right so the carbon guy is sitting up-side-down in the garage. Note to self- Get on that.

Sunday saw a return to Apollo with Anthony and Brad #2. Since the last three times we had been there the temperature maxed out at 10, we decided to embrace the balmy 34 with a lap around the bigger loop. The trails were surprisingly dry considering the thaw, reiterating our belief that Apollo drains a little better than most places. I always have a ton of fun at Apollo. I don’t’ really know exactly what it is. I have great memories of riding there last year for the first time when I met Doctor Don, Aaron, and Scott Root. These guys showed up and graciously ripped the legs off of a 5 month rider in early January. I remember working so hard trying to keep up, to not fall off. I had so much to prove to these guys and refused to leave them with anything but a good impression. I remember wearing cheap tights underneath cargo shorts with a thermal lined cotton hoodie. That first hill seemed so long the first time I ever climbed it, it seemed like it would never end. I specifically remember one section on the second loop. It’s a rocky uphill with a few typical Apollo switchbacks. Don and Scott were at the top and I was finishing the climb, one small section to go. As I made the turn and glanced up, I caught Don looking at me and talking to Scott, “He’s pretty good.” That really meant the world to me. I’m sure that ride has long faded in all of their heads, but it’ll stick with me for a long time. I don’t know my way around Apollo, but every time I come to that section, I remember it. I always push a little harder there, like I still have something to prove to it. Maybe I just have a lot to prove to myself. Happy St. Patrick's Day.