Crack O' Dawn

Hey all, just wanted to get to everyone about the Crack of Dawn ride on Sat. the 6th. Today's ride was yet another success story. Initially it was looking as if we would get precipitated upon, however the route was leading us away from any inclimate weather. After a couple of hours had passed that good ole "MR. Happy" showed himself to help us out with our dreary day. We headed out route 258, yet again getting a little Hill Jacked, all the way to mercer. Then took the route 158 to New Wilmington and you guessed it, stopped at Muggsie's for the great morning "Java". For those of you who enjoy a great cup (or three) of coffe, this ride is more than well worth it. I know that not everyone can make it for the early start time, but my goodness, if someone where to tell me that after an hour and a half of riding time, you can grab a cup of joe and do a couple more hours, i would do it every day of my life. In any case from Muggsie's it was business as usual. Headed out the tues and thurs of recent route, and up passed McConnell's "Poo Corner" and then back towards the CEO headquarters. On the way back things really started to clear up. All except that ruthless "wind".

Personally I hate the wind, however last year I took a different approach to the wind. After many conversations with a great friend of mine, I will call "Fred", he informed me that I need not make the wind my enemy. Now I must say that even after this conversation with him, I still find that I get extremely upset at the end of a ride when I have to face this beast. What Fred had told me was that, I must use this to my advantage and let the wind be the force that makes me stronger. Just as it would be in riding the hills, Wind only makes you that much stronger. Hills can just demoralize an individual as does the wind. Usually I like to take the wind in the front on my way out, and not always does this force remain constant when you are in the saddle for a couple of hours. Sometimes it turns on you and you have to face it no matter what. What we all have to come to terms with, with this nasty so called enemy is that it is there to help us improve in all capacities of riding. As with the hills you almost have to convince yourself to love it. Knowing that every time that you face these winds or these hills it is only making you that much better of a rider. After all if we all lived in Ohio and had the wind at our backs at all times, we wouldnt be able to improve unless we all interval'd ourselves to death. So take a different approach with this beast and let it improve your abilities "Naturally". One other thing is that when you are at a deficite and riding with a group the ability to draft and "suck a wheel" (that is how they say it in cycling) can save your behind on a day when you are really not up to par.

I really want to mention to all who have been consistently participating in these weekly rides that I am definitely seeing massive improvements with everyone. I am so very pleased to see these results. Everyone else may not be seeing them but I am definitely seeing so. I have to tell you that the best thing that anyone can do to get better, more fit, and faster is to be consistent with your training. If you all keep this up, I am definitely going to run out of terrain to challenge you all. I am very excited to see where all of this goes, and to see at the end of the season, just how much these rides have benefited everyone. Congratulations to all of you who have been toughing it out week in and week out. I also want to let you all know that those of you who have come out for these "rainy day" rides are impressing the hell out of anyone who hears that you have done so. When people hear that normal average every day people who primarily have been spinning are out there training in the rain, and "poo", i feel as though they feel guilty for not even going out there and getting some time in when it is nice. Seriously pat yourselves on the back for really training and riding like real true champions.

I know that John and I spoke breifly about possibly riding from the park on tues and then riding from his casa on thursday. Please look at the schedule posted on the blog to find the final on where we will be departing from. Also just want to mention that I am currently trying to get a ride together with the group of riders that depart from Lakeside Bicycles and our group, so that everyone may make even more connections of people to get out and ride with. Who knows this could turn out to be a really awesome thing. Also want to mention that over the next couple of weeks there may also be a ride that will depart from Frankford Bicycle shop. As soon as I hear something about that I will make sure that something is on the blog so that all know when where and how the ride will be conducted.

Take care and keep the wheels turning........

Have a great weekend, see ya tuesday.......

Jason