37

They're predicting highs of 35-37 degrees for both tomorrow and Sunday.

The plan is 50-60 miles each day, easy tempo with some sprints thrown in -- let's say six hours for the weekend, capping off five hours so far during the week.

I'm doing alright. I don't hate the bike yet, and I'm feeling good. I might have to go in for a minor medical procedure next week, so I'll have some involuntary time off, but at this time of the year, what's the bother?

I have nearly all the parts to put Le Ramrod back together. Maybe this week I'll find the time to do so, if I can find the time to work on my thesis, too.

It's tough being busy all the time, but it's better than being bored.

Thanks, Eddy

Doing two hours on the trainer goes much better with A Sunday in Hell on the TV. Joe let me borrow his copy and while today was nice enough outside to do a good ride, I just didn't feel like it. Funny that the trainer now is a perfectly acceptable way of spinning the legs. Mid-February, my guess is that I'll do anything to ride outside.

I'm also bummed out – seems as if 2009 won't find Schabobele being run. In 2005, it was the first race I'd ever entered. I dropped out halfway into the race because I'd gotten spit off the back and Allison was waiting for me to finish, but I was hooked. The next week, I entered and won the Mentor-Mentor road race with a two mile breakaway. The guy who got me into racing, James Huff, doesn't race or even ride much any more, but I still remember fondly the training rides by Fernald. I'm bummed, too, because I'm awfully proud of my Ohio roots and I want to drag some of the Half Acre Cycling crew to ride my favorite hills and pitches, get some mid-ride Graeters and eat my parents' food. Soon, maybe that weekend, even.

Cold

If there's one thing that this cold business makes one appreciate, it's the warmth that will eventually come. Optimistically, that'll be two months from now; realistically, more like four.

Meanwhile, it's a struggle to get the motivation to do anything outside other than go to work. Ain't been riding the bike, though. I haven't ridden that thing outdoors in about a week and a half.

And it won't be for at least a few more days that I will, either.

At least I've got time on my hands to work on the research and cook some mean chili.

Starting into it

A month ago, I capped off the 2008 racing season with the Illinois State Championships at Montrose on the Chicago lakefront. The year didn't go just as well as I would've hoped, but seeing as how I made it through physically unscathed, I couldn't have asked for more.

Two-and-a-half weeks off, with minimal riding, easy cruises and some running. Clear the head, let the legs recover.

Then, back into things in preparation for the early spring road season. Base miles on the trainer because the ground outside was slick with ice. The game then was keep the legs spinning, get the heart rate at 140-145 BPM and cruise. Since I've not taken too much time off from CX, I should have a pretty decent base already built. Now, just to start stacking upon that.

The past two days, I managed to set records for my 30 second, 30 minute and 60 minute power. The former in a sprint against Joe in the Glenview loop; the latter at yesterday's Computrainer session.

Maybe this year I'll be fast? If not, I'll have fun trying.

The Patron Saint of Cyclocross

Gapers Block just published the profile piece I did on the Pony Shop, a cycle shop in Evanston, and its owner, Lou Kuhn. Take a look, let me know what you think.

Eight months until cyclocross starts anew. I have the road season to look forward to, plus some MTB racing, and of course, endurance rides such as the Horribly Hilly and Insane Terrain. Exciting stuff to dream of, to be sure, especially when the ground is frozen and I'm in my apartment, sweating during a trainer session.