A shorter route today, and on my own. I was quite unsure
what I was going to be capable of today, because I felt so tired all week.
Yeah, well… it’s amazing what temps in the 70s, blue skies, and a morning of
cleaning house will do for my motivation to get out there and bite off a big
hunk o’hill.
This week, I made a vow to limit my duration or intensity a little more this season, because looking back at my logs, I discovered that whenever I go crazy, I end up sick or wiped out the following week.
Though I kept to my mileage limit today, I did a little more than
I intended, vertically – 2,000 feet of climbing in thirty miles on the Vaya, all of it on
loose gravel, which certainly can add to the toll. This was supposed to be a
recovery week ride, but what’s life for, if not making the same stupid but fun
mistake over and over again?
Was feeling quite sluggish most of the climb, but I downed
my new go-to energy food, an almond-butter-and-honey sandwich, and very shortly
was climbing with considerably more élan. That’s the second time that stuff has
put much-needed fuel in my jets, so I’m sold. Costs way less than a Clif Bar
and tastes three times better than any awful gel, too.
I think I’ll be swapping out the 45 mm Vee Rubber tires for
the original 35 mm Small Block Eights on the Vaya. The 45s make my pseudo-single-track
expeditions a little more manageable, but everywhere else, they’re just an
albatross. I miss the light, incisive quality of the 35s. As for cushioning,
let’s face it: Miles of washboard roads is brutal, and five pounds fewer psi
does little to ameliorate that. Especially when you’ve paid for that cushion
with every turn of the pedals on the climb.
A gorgeous spring day, though a tad warm; temps reached
mid-80s. My bod tends to run warm, and my favorite riding season runs from
March through May. Typical May that is, if there is such a thing as typical
weather anymore. Brooks sparkled and splashed under dirt bridges, birds flitted
energetically and sang with brio, and the Vitamin Water at the halfway point
really hit the spot.
Here’s to the next dumb mistake!
2 comments:
I'm kind of glad you were on the Vaya. I know your roots are in road biking, something about drop bars and whizzing around on gravel and through the woods makes me smile.
Again, I sense good vibes. Maybe just go with the way you feel. I have small block eights on my singlespeed. I'm happy with them. They seem to roll good on hard stuff and are decent on the trails.
I like the innovation of almond butter and honey. Seems like wholesome energy. And if you feel it's working, that's half the battle.
You sound good and seem to really be enjoying the riding.
Thanks for your good wishes, Scott, I appreciate them.
Yeah, drop bars on gravel can not be beat. Sometimes a little crazy, but fun, fun, fun.
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