like finding lost sunglasses on top of my head

Dear Readers,

Last weekend, I had an amazing ride with Nick and Jake. Jake was in town for a few days from Colorado, and I was stoked to be able to give him a guided tour around fairhill. I asked him how the trails were, "like home.." he said. "Colorado riding is amazing, but we just don't have singletrack like this..." he continued. I miss riding with Jake. 

Shane starts to rally together the group (Shane, Jimmy V, John Wood, Thayer)

Nick and Jake both seemed to be riding well, and every time I tried to go, I just couldn't. After waiting for me at the top of one of many hills, I said to those guys, "man this humidity is rough, I feel like I'm breathing through a straw..."  They both laughed, "dude, it's not humid at all," Nick said. "damn, I feel like crap..."I commented.

That evening I had to recognize the facts. I hadn't been sleeping well for a couple of weeks. My last couple of intervals were brutal, and really not all that successful. As I planned out my August training/race plan, I wasn't excited about what was to come, but frankly approaching it like something to get through. Work had been stressful, and frankly if I look back I honestly haven't felt good on the bike since Nationals.

Chris Jackson put in the full endurance loop today!

While I was very disappointed to crash out of Nationals, I had worked really hard to have my best form of the year that day. I felt good. And while the bruise on my ass is almost gone, in hind-site that day was my peak, and while initially  I had plans to continue training/racing through August, I know that I cooked myself. I had cracked...

Not totally by choice, I ended up with 5 days off the bike this week. Given how my legs felt, and how tired I was it was for the best. I slept through the night for the first time in weeks Thursday and Friday.

Thayer was out slaying on his rigid 26er single speed today. Watch out in 2 weeks!

This weekend, Shane was kind enough to host two awesome rides around Fairhill. Saturday was the CAT1 course for the upcoming FH race, and Sunday was intended to be the 44 mile endurance course. Shane did a great job of trying to keep the groups together. Saturday, I felt awful- like I had never ridden a bike before. After two hours I sat up and went home, somewhat defeated.  Sunday, was an entirely different story.  I felt great. I'll admit, I was honest about only planning to ride for 2 hours, and I might have been pushing the pace a little. yeah, I know a dick move, and not my normal move, but as I said to Shane (I was second wheel at the time), we can slow down. When I had finally burnt all my matches it was Shane, Nick, Ron, Dr. Phil, Rich and I.  I dropped off the back of the group, and I rolled home. I was totally destroyed but also fully stoked about finally feeling good on the bike again...

Nick, Ron, Phil and Rich- Nick ordering Pizza to pick up at the parking lot.

So the heart of my season is done. Not planning on a cross season this year, which I'll admit is a little weird and leaving me with a little gap in goals. But you know what, I'll figure it out:

Hey now, I want to thank this guy for leading two awesome rides this weekend:

Crappy Picture- Awesome Guy- Thanks for leading two outstanding rides this weekend..

thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon