Back in Love Again

Out for a brisk one-hour-plus in with temps in the 30s/40s today. My first time on a bike in two full weeks, the longest voluntary break I've taken in the two-plus years since I got back in the saddle. I'm very, very happy to report I enjoyed myself. I was starting to feel... well, nothing, really... while riding in late September. Mind you, I had crazy fitness, zooming all over the place and motoring up hills, but I just wasn't enjoying it. At all. Guess I finally strung enough healthy months together this season to actually do a bona fide burn-out -- my first. Hey -- I'll call that much health a milestone!

Today, I found the corners of my mouth sneaking upward as I dashed down a local descent. It was a relief. I remember the years when I lived, breathed, ate and slept guitar. Every once in a while, I'd have a period when I just couldn't look at the instrument any more. I would take a few days off, then a week... and start to get paranoid. Had the magic jumped the last train for the coast? Would I ever find joy in the wood and strings again? It always came back around if I gave it enough breathing room. Hopefully, today proves the same dynamic true in my relationship with the bike.

I have been working out, though. I joined a gym for some aerobic and resistance work. I hope it will tide me over the icy months -- and delay the day I get on my @%#$ rollers until at least the new year. And I've been tentatively trying some running. I adored running as a young adult, but my knees are very, very finicky these days. Hope I can extend my jaunts to something worth suiting up for.

But today, I celebrate the velocipede!

Down to the Bone

Another article on the very important topic of bone density loss in cyclists. Informative and brief.

My Passion and Profession Collide

It's often not pretty when I find that my profession -- mental health counseling -- has appeared in some other field of life I love.

Condolences to Franck Vandenbr0ucke's family. And a word to the wise: If you are in psychological pain, reach out. There are professionals everywhere.

Michael Barry Loves the Radio Ban

A very well-written and intelligent summary of one viewpoint on the UCI proposal to ban radios from racing.

Jaw-dropping

This is just not possible.