It HaS a NaMe...ItS cAlleD RoCkY TrAiNiNg

Well, I know the posts have been infrequent, but I have been busy cramming like a procrastinating teenager the day before the social studies project is due, preparing for the Cohutta 100. Riding as many miles as possible as often as possible has been the meal of the moment, and I got to say I have been having a good time and I feel great.

I must say my ambitions to lose weight in preparation for the races that are coming up has paid off. I started at 205 and currently weigh 183lbs. Its been interesting, the battle of going thru such a physical change does not go unnoticed. I would have to continually readjust to my new self and truth be told, I am just getting tuned to my new size.

I cant say that I rode as much as I would like. I would hope to not have to work and just spend the better time of everyday I possibly could, pedaling my bike for a couple of hours here and there. But I am going to take my lemons and make lemonade.

I have done at least three pouring down rain rides, not by choice either, just the way the cooking crumbled. On one I got caught out there and it was cold, all I had on was a simple Team bike works Orlando jersey. In order to be able to hammer and not shiver, I copped a free copy of the pennysaver periodical and stuffed it inside my shirt tour de france style, and it kept me warm and toasty all the way home.

I envy these out of towners with their miles of service roads and gravel roads to go out and do senseless off road miles. They have Gravel Grinder sessions I have Sand Slugging sessions. One dirt road in particular that I was exploring on, was so muddy that every pedal stroke took effort. In my mind I resolved to treat it like the long climbs I will be doing in the mountains soon and just grinded it out. Even though the conditions were less than favorable, I still saw some goats, and got to ride with four dogs who came up and playfully ran with me till their owner called them to their side. I even found a Lil baby bird that fell out of a nest. After holding it briefly in my hand and not immediately seeing any nests to place him in, I put him back down and prayed for the birds life.

I have been riding in the dark alot. Despite the fact that it gets darker later, later seems to be the time I start and my rides tend to run past the sun's reach. Regardless of the rain and the dark, the riding has been spectacular and I have been really feeling the difference of the new wheelset and the new body. We will just have to see what plays out in Cohutta.

Although it will not make a bit of difference for the upcoming race, I am still going to continue to ride my Mamasita as much as possible before the race. My plan is to ride right thru the next couple of weeks. Everyone talks about recovery, but I think its a myth and I will be on a mission to prove it.

The cohutta is coming, but more important is the PMBAR.

Ok, lets make fight then.

I will be riding this weekend, drop me a line if you want to make bike ride!

Enjoy the pics,
Laters,
LOS

Hard to tell from this angle, but the goat in the middle is taking a piss.

Ya thats me during the Sand Slugging sessions.

We dont got mountains be we still got nice views, exploring!

And another shot of the sea level vistas.

I carry this on my back country rides. I never want to have to use it and never hope too. But after being chased by a pack of pitbulls at mile ninety something down near Okeechobee, I vowed to be ready if I ever came across aggressive animals like that.

The bike, I love it, but It hates me, I ride it hard and put it away wet almost every time.

More Bars in more places. I am amazed by how far I can ride on three bottles, the new physical frame is definetely a treat!

Being a skateboarder means skateboarding dammmit! Barefoot dedication downhill manny in surfer boy swim trunks, with all the smooth stylie I could muster! Live in the Moment Y'all!