One of the most enjoyable parts of cycling is winter base miles. I say this both truthfully and with a hint of sarcasm. While it is nice to set out on a ride, carefree of numbers and intervals, the low temperatures and strong winds that have greeted me this winter have been less than enjoyable. So far this winter break I have been able to get in some somewhat long solo rides before going into Wegmans in the afternoon to work at the deli and eat everything in sight. Unfortunately the cycling gods have not been with me on the majority of these rides.
The first of these 4 hour rides i did this break I didn't bring enough food, dumb mistake. Christmas Eve I set out for a 50 mile ride and broke my rear derailleur cable in my rear shifter 10 miles from the house. bad luck. The next 4 hour ride I set out for i made sure to bring enough food. There would be no bonking this time...or would there? As I stared at my fallen poptart on the ground before coming out of Occoquan, still 20 miles from my house I decided to avoid disease and hope the food I had eaten earlier on the ride would carry me through. 3 miles from my house, bonk. Im sticking to rollers, least then when I bonk I only must travel up stairs to feast my brains out. Im ready for training camp.
Last Saturday Chris E. and I got in my car on a snow morning and departed for Bridgewater where the W&M cycling team would be held. The drive was a bit slower than initially expected as we got stuck in some snow. Hi-light of the drive was probably the stop to get gas on 81 where in the bathroom I noticed a vending machine selling "horny goat weed". The rest of the drive Chris and i discussed our fascination with the intriguing product.
Arriving at the house of the club president, Adam Harris we got settled and ate some lunch to prepare for the afternoon ride. That afternoon those of us that had arrived, Chris, Emily, Burbey, Andrew, Adam, JOA, Pete, Brian, and I set out for a 2 hour ride over Mole Hill. The mile long climb is a good warm-up for whats in store for the rest of the week, although not the most challenging of the climbs in Harrisonburg, it certainly beats Williamsburg climbing. The temperature was cold and the wind was strong but as it was only the first day, spirits were high. On the ride back JOA, Burbey and I veered off to climb Hopkins, a more steep 1.5 mile climb. During the climb I neared my 5 min watt max, and JOA and Burbey looked strong as well. Arriving back to the house JOA, Burbey and I decided it was a good idea to set out for a short run. Our freezing feet thought otherwise, each step causing a good amount of pain. Let me reiterate, it was cold. Just ask Emily. That night Mr. Harris prepared us a delicious mystery casserole that we ate with gusto
The next day JOA, Burbey, Andrew and I set out to do the previous mornings ride, sans Hopkins climb before the days group ride to the nut (Massanutten). The morning ride Burbey and Andrew decided they were feeling there legs a little from yesterday and Burbey may or may not have forgotten to eat anything solid for 3 hours until he was reminded of the importance of food. Fortunately he feasted his pro-max protein bar and was able to use his mountain climbing finess to ascend the Nut like a pro. Props to new riders Bryan C. and Chris E. for beasting it up this steep, gravely climb. Im really looking forward to seeing what they can do next year! When the group got back to the house, JOA and I feasted lunch quickly and set out in search of 26 more miles and cappucinos at Sheetz. The good news: we got the 26 miles and then some, totaling 103 miles for the day. The bad news: I still have no sense of direction and we never found Sheetz. The other good news: If you ride your bike for 6.5 hours it costs only a little over a dollar to get drunk....The other other good news: Adams dad makes really delicious Chili and rolls.
Monday alumni and RPC team member Cory Scott showed up to ride with us. The gang decided to venture across the gravel to Reddish Knob this frigid morning. And frigid it was. On the ride to the Knob we hit some JOA terrain (gravel) and Cory, JOA, and I took off, hammering across the rugged surface. Arriving at the end of the gravel we waited a bit to see Wilson appear, cursing us for leaving Emily with a flat, apparently watching someone change a flat makes them change it faster because Wilson was not pleased with us for not being there to watch Emily's flat be changed...or something like that. Anyway, the group made it to the knob and for the most part everyone made it to the top. Unfortunately Adam's roomate Pete only had a single gear which made climbing difficult. This day he rode Adam's dads touring bike and was able to get in a solid effort up the knob. Although not able to summit, Im pretty sure it will only be a matter of time before Pete is handing a good many people their asses. The guy is one focused dude and I was stoked to hear that he was looking for a bike to race with us this season!
The next day Cory and I set off to do the Triple Crown, the nut, hopkins, and reddish, all in one day. The rest of the gang split up, some going to the gym to swim and lift from x-training, and others going to the knob to mountain bike. The thing about Tuesday was the forecast was for snow. At about 230, Cory and I had only the knob remaining, by far the longest of the climbs, a 10 mile category 1 climb, similar to the Alpe d'Huez in the tour de France. All was well until 2 miles from the summit. The sky opened and the snow began to fall....or dump. 1 mile from the top Cory looked at me and asked what I wanted to do. "TO THE TOP" I said, up we went. Reaching the saddle we zipped up and agreed to stay close and be careful. "I really hope we make it down without crashing" I said, "Insallah" Cory and I said to one another, the Arabic word for "god willing. The way down was rough. The snow came fast and hard, the group was covered and slick. The sound of our squeaking breaks was consistent and the snow came harder and harder. About 2 miles from the bottom I had the problem of the snowflakes sticking to my eyelashes. The clung to my eyelashes, severely f****** up my vision. Reaching the convenience store at the bottom of Briery Branch Cory and I happily went in to warm up. Fortunately pro-mtn biker Jeremiah Bishop and Trek-Livestrong U23 team rider Joe D, just finishing up a mtn ride at the knob saw our bikes outside right as we were about to get kicked out of the store and offered us a ride back. The rest of the night went as such, beer, all u can eat buffet, sleep.
The next day I rode mountain bikes while others went to do some X-country skiing. Somehow I enjoyed it. Great, another thing for me to spend my money on. Fortunately right now Im so broke I can't even entertain the thought of buying a mountain bike. Welcome to college. There are some things about college I wont miss, being broke is one of them. There are other things about college i will really miss. One of the things that I think I will miss the most is the W&M Cycling Team. There is little better than being able to hang out with such an awesome group of people. As corny as this sounds I really mean it. So many laughs and good times. Works bombs and 40's and "insert sex joke here" jokes, what a life it is to be young. How fortunate I am to know you all.
