Back in the day when I was living the full dream and spending many many days on the road I remember watching Jon Wirsing riding the trainer late at night and thinking how I could never do that.

It was in 2007, we had just finished up team camp in Virgina, I headed home for a few days, but was quickly back out in Virginia training in nicer weather getting ready for the one and only US Open and Tour of Virginia. I was staying with our director on Rite Aid Jon Wirsing and his family. He and his family were so amazing and took great care of me while I was out there. Of course I wasn't alone as some of my other teammates were staying there as well.

Anyways one thing I remember very well is Jon leaving for work around 6am, of course before I was up, and returning around 4 or 5pm. Then it was off to a kid activity, which was followed by dinner, then a bit of family time before the kids went to bed. I would have slept in, ridden between 2-5hrs, ate lunch, and napped before he returned. After Jon finished all previous activities he would hop on the trainer around 8:30pm at night while watching tv with his wife and us. I thought to myself, "Man I could never do that." Chances are that I was in bed before him as well.

Well last night I was getting off the rollers around 10pm and I thought, "Man, here I am." I also wouldn't change a thing about it. I get to live at home, race my bike at big races, and more importantly spend more time with my wife and my daughter who is the best thing in my life. Now I can relate to what Jon was doing, how and why.

Breeze On

I've never thought intervals could be so hard until Saturday. As it was snowing outdoors I was stuck riding indoors since I didn't have an adequate bike for the conditions. I wanted to get some intervals in and over the years I've been pretty good at avoiding that. I could have skipped them but wanted to just get er done.

So I hopped on my Trutrainer rollers and locked myself in the bedroom. The warm up went ok but interval time came and that wasn't the only thing. My wife had to get ready to go so her and Madelyn came strolling in. It wasn't to bad until halfway through my first threshold interval when my daughters new wonderful habit of repeating questions came up.

Madelyn: "Dad, dad, daddy, dad"
Me: "Yes"
Madelyn: "daddy, dad, dad, dad"
Me: "Yes Madelyn"
Madelyn Me:"Wheres Lucy?"
Me: "right there"
Madelyn: "where?"
Me: "there"
Madelyn: "where?"
Me: "there"
Madelyn: "What's Lucy doing?"
Me: "nothing"
Madelyn: "where"
Me:"huh?"
Madelyn: "where? Dad, daddy dad dad..."

This along with getting into drawers and climbing on the fan as it was getting ready to topple. My head was about to explode and that's just because of the effort. I was hot and felt like I could hardly breathe this is why I don't do intervals indoors. Then the repeated questions I was be bombardered with and the fan getting ready to hit the floor just sent me over the top. I stopped halfway through the second took a lot of deep breathes as I was still well over 170bpm before I got back on and just continued in endurance pace for the rest of the workout

Now I know if I ever want to do that again I'll have to be alone in a dungeon.

Breeze On

Here is a link to the video of my dad riding behind me. I'd like to get a video of birdman drafting but I'm worried he might reveal to much if himself if you know what mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jxrlZvSHP0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Breeze on.

No need to worry, I am still here. I've been keeping busy with subbing and finally starting to train like a real cyclist. It feels good to be riding harder and doing those things called 'intervals'. I remember that pain!

Speaking of pain my mom and dad came down this past weekend and I was able to get out for a ride with my dad. I tried to keep the pace down so it wouldn't be so hard on him and I thought I did a great job as he seemed to notice every house on the route. Then I went back and looked at the video off my new Christmas toy and noticed the looking around, but also noticed the tongue on the stem look towards the end. Then I briefly felt bad as I had no idea he was working that hard. Oh well.

Breeze On

Just had the type of day you can't complain about. Had a half day subbing, which means I went in at 7:30 and was done by 11:30, and made some money. Then drove home ate some lunch, took a quick nap and headed out for a nice ride.

If ever winter day was like today there is no way you could complain. Temperatures were close to 40 degrees, a slight breeze at 10mph, and perfect clear sunshine. It made the metric century ride very enjoyable. It also looks like the nice weather is here to stay for at least another week. That gets us one week closer to spring.

After the ride I made a pretty delicious dinner and spent time with the family to cap it all off. Now I'm in my recliner with the legs propped up, typing away and sipping on some water.

So far my 2012 has been great and I hope yours has as well.

Breeze On

Finally rode with someone for the first time in a while on the road. The lucky rider to ride with me was Liebo. He was home after returning from Tuscon before heading to Beijing. Theses kids and their big time lives. I remember back when I started racing....HA. I guess next year with a racing age of 30 I'm one of the old guys, which makes my old guys growing up really old. I won't name names.

It was fun to talk to him and hear stories from his trip to Tuscon and the shenanigans that took place. It made me think of two things. One, I'll be hearing stories like this all year racing on team full of college students. And two, my life has changed quite a bit as my shenanigans was throwing a two year a birthday party and deciding whether or not to eat another cookie, or if the calories from drinking a root beer were going to be ok. I wouldn't change it for the world, but it's still fun to think about.

Well the ride itself went pretty well. We battled a nice heawind for half the ride as we headed towards Bunker Hill. Once we arrived back in the B-burg we hit up Starbucks and chatted a bit before going our separate ways. We plan on doing the same tomorrow and are trying to get Birdman out, but he has already called and said he has to wash is hair and it will be wet and if the temperature is under 40 his head will get cold, and blah, blah, blah, so we will see.

Breeze On

Finally I was able to get out and do a ride with Birdman on the weekend. Took a few emails and texts, but it finally happened. The first thing I noticed when we met up was that he had the same exact glasses as I just got for my birthday. They just got instantly less cool. We had a good time, and he might have had less of a good time as the last 1hr his butt was on fire and he had to unload. I hope he made it.

Last night was one of our family Christmas parties and it was a good time, well the last hour of it was a bit nerve racking as I was watching the Lions do one of their fall behind and catch up by the end routines. Not cool guys. Most had left before the end and told me maybe next time. I had made some fun phone calls/texts after that. It's going to be a fun week of family get togethers as that is the best part of the holidays. Plus with Madelyn now being older she loves open gifts. It was fun watching her put a stocking on her foot like a sock, is she so smart or not smart enough? Also her birthday is just two days after Christmas. It's going to be a busy week.

So count another 6 day riding week in the books and everything still feels pretty good. This week I'm going to start with some light intervals and see how it goes. I can't believe how much that surgery helped. Now I just have to continue my build processes slowly.

Ok I probably should start shopping.

Breeze On

Weekend

This past weekend Madelyn and I headed up to Michigan to visit the family and do a little biking. When we arrived Friday I headed out for a ride with my dad, Nick, and Forrest out by the Saginaw River and down the rail-trail to the Bay City State Park. It was a cold day, but a fine evening for a bike ride.

Out with the fellas.



Look closely at the picture and you can see two bald eagles in the trees. Not quite two turtle doves. It's pretty awesome seeing these birds in the wild. There are a few pairs in the area.



Out by the Saginaw Bay. Sometimes you don't realize how nice the area you lived in is until you go away. It may not have mountains or be warm, but there is plenty to see and do.



My dad and I gripped it and ripped it around the marsh for fun. He did pretty well for an old guy who doesn't ride and I felt pretty good for a guy who use to walk around like an old guy and hasn't ridden in a while.

Breeze On