More Like Winter

It was feeling a lot more like winter when we pulled into the parking lot for the Sunday morning Northshore training ride. The thermometer in Mignon's car was reading something around 38F, but there were fifteen riders on hand anyway thanks to the clear blue sky and mild wind. Within minutes of getting out of the warm cocoon of automotive warmth my wardrobe plans were already escalating. Yes, I knew it would warm up fairly quickly, but that didn't stop me from adding the arm-warmers underneath the Kodiak jersey, or the wind vest on top of it all. At least I was comfortable for those first ten miles.

It quickly became apparent that there were at least a couple of guys in the group who were actually planning on getting some significant training, as opposed to simple saddle time, during the ride. That's not to say that things got out of hand. Far from it. The pace was fairly smooth and steady, although there were occasional pulls that clicked the pace up a notch, but those were all pretty manageable thanks to the relatively calm air. When I saw that Ed was riding his track bike I decided that my goal for the day would be to stay in the small ring and pay some attention to leg speed. I also decided that in order to survive I should probably try and conserve a little bit during the first half of the ride because I could already see the writing on the wall.

There are probably be four danger zones on this ride, from a droppage perspective, and they all come after the turn off of Highway 10, about halfway through. The first, that long curving climb between Highway 10 and Lee Road, turned out to be smooth and steady, and I think we all came over that one together. The next two, on that same road, were steeper, and the second one was one of the designated sprint zones (which we're not really supposed to be doing until January). I had a feeling there would be a sprint anyway, and indeed there was. I noticed that John, who has been making every northshore ride this winter, is rapidly getting in shape and beginning to contest these. The group got a little strung out on that one and a couple of people came off the back, but we regrouped as usual after Sie Jenkins Road and it was gruppo compacto from there into Enon, where there was yet another premature sprint. It was along that stretch, leading up to the Enon Sign Sprint, where the pace touched 30 mph and Ed and I started feeling like a couple of little hamsters at a SPIN class. After Enon I waited up for some riders and the group kind of fragmented for a while as we crossed the Bogue Chitto river where I spotted a lone Bald Eagle circling overhead looking for the catch of the day. I pointed and waved but I don't think anyone except Jaro, who was with me at the time, saw it. Maybe I'm just the only one who gets excited when he sees an Eagle. At Tung Road I waited up and as the front of the group continued, but Steve and Pat were pretty far back already so I ended up riding the last few miles back to the car with Mignon.

I thought it was a really good winter training ride. Lots of steady state aerobic riding, a few hard climbs, a little bit of speed, and a nice smooth finish.

So I went out this morning for a quick 20 miles alone so I could be back home in time to take the cat to the vet for a follow-up, stop at the UPS store, stop at Starbucks, drop The Wife off at work downtown, and then drive back home to take my first shower since Saturday, and dress for work. Right now I'm just about to head off for the airport to pick up The Daughter, and her little dog too; arriving from Iowa City only about an hour later than the original schedule. Then on Sunday (I think) we're all driving up to the frozen north, weather permitting, and spending a few days there.