Bier en modder

Good flippin’ God, it was a cold ride at lunch.

I took Cornell to 53rd and Skyline south through the Zoo for a quick hill workout.  Nothing specific, I’m still trying to get my hill legs back.  I was on the fence around 11:30 but decided to suck it up and head out.

I tried to spin pretty quick through downtown and up to Cornell until I warmed up.  Up through 53rd, it was a really nice ride.  The air was clean, the rain wasn’t that hard and I was just about the right temperature.

Then I started to see the snow on the ground.  And then the hail/hard snow falling.  And then the 1/2 inch of slush on the road.

I got to the top, plenty warm and headed south on Skyline to Cornell, getting cold and then really cold.  A quick shot up Greenleaf warmed me back up but I then realized I had a few miles of downhill to go to get back to work.

Down Sklyine to Burnside – my legs are starting to tingle.

Short up and then down Skyline to Fairview – I’m losing feeling in my toes.

Down through the Zoo – I think I have an ice cream headache.  Shit this hurts.

I evaded some a-hole who cut myself and another biker off at SW Park Place and limped on in.  I very briefly debated heading over to 24- hour to take a 10 minute sauna to warm up but decided to take a long shower instead.

It’s around 8:30 and I still feel a little cold.  However, a day on the bike is a ton better than sitting around for lunch.

Yeah, that’s right.  It’s what my spring training feels like right now.  A little sloppy.  Kind of all over the place.  A lot of wheezing and drooling.  And when I’m done I realize I’m a total stud for 20 to 30 seconds and then it drops off pretty fast after that.

March was supposed to be where I transitioned to riding more.  As I mentioned, it’s been an erratic and inconsistent effort.  We (the family) have other stuff going on which needs to be taken care of so the spring rides have taken a back seat.  I’m still out riding but I’m not getting the 4-5 days a week like I hoped to.

With Hornings in 2 weeks I don’t feel in terrible shape but it won’t be an ‘A’ race for me.  It’ll be just fine.  The MTB season lasts until June and cross doesn’t start for 5 months.

I contacted Portland Velo about a spot, offering domestique services as a Cat 4.  I hope it works out.