Training

Well, I can't say I have done much training, but I did manage to ride the CyclOps trainer this week and even did a CompuTrainer ride with some fellow racers. I have been using a Suunto Heart Rate monitor since last season. It's nice to measure the intensity of rides, especially in comparison to race days which I can never come close to in my training. While on the trainer I decided to hook up the HR monitor to the laptop for some real-time graphing. It made the session a bit more fun, which is desparately needed when confined to a trainer versus the thrill of trail riding.

Today my new (used) SuperFly should arrive. I am looking forward to moving to 29" wheels while maintaining an overall light bike. I also think the fit will be better for me; slightly less reach and a bit more rise on the handlebars. I hope to convert it to single-speed and give that a try and a few races, but for now I am looking forward to just getting it ready to ride.

It's a new year. Time for some reflection. As is probably obvious, biking (and racing) will continue to be a big part of my life. It is my source for physical and mental health, and provides a comradery between my friends and fellow cyclists. I'm still torn between my desire to return to the city and my current ability to escape to singletrack after work. My desire for a simple condo with no yard work versus not sharing walls and having a garage and basement. I'm also not sure about the potential job change that would be required. I look forward to seeing how the year unfolds and what changes lie ahead.

Finally, I look forward to moving on in relationships. The last year had ups and downs as was to be expected, but overall it was clear that hurt, anger, and confusion remained. At the same time, I have had a glimpse of what could be a better match for me, and the potential such a relationship could hold. I look forward to see if 2009 is the time for my heart and fate to come together...with a bit of hard work of course. Only time will tell...