Saturday, the rain that threatened our weekends here in upcountry VT turned out to be no more than that, just a threat. Meteorologists everywhere take note. Stop that!
So, I went for a my annual “it’s September and now it’s finally time to get in shape ride.” I try to fit it all in one workout. For some reason the fall breezes and morning nippy air have the same effect on me every year. I try to make up for another summer of missed fitness targets and excuses. Even though well intended, I don’t really get faster because of the ride. But each year the ride makes it to the top of the list of notable ass-handed-to rides. Ouch.
This year was 3 or 4 laps of Alfalfa burning and scorching with a few trips through the dangerous, short and slippery “food mill” singletrack. Yeah, on fixed. Big long gradual downhill in the Alfalfa at 120rpm :: f’in lumpy. Legs got worked like the big rubber band on the jug bass in a high-Adirondack-jug-band….if ya know what I mean.
Sunday sensibility returned with my annual “recover from the get-in-shape-all-in-one-ride” which amounted to two leisurely trips into town on the REK (shredder). I was so tired by the second trip home that I could barely monkey my cul-fix up the one (and only) 100 yard grimper of a hill on the route. Tired.
Received a surprise apology from a business owner who blew like 3 primarily rules of customer service with me the last time I was in his shop. He apologized, I accepted. Happy about that. Just saw him on the pedestrian mall, and he stopped and made right. Business owners note.
Picked up CJ from Bend at our lovely little speedy-in-and-out airport to cap the night. He’s a long-time friend and riding buddy from OR. Used to be roommates for a while. We’re abandoning bikes for the other fixed drive form of trail travel. A pied. We’re walking 4 days on the Vermont Long Trail.
Off to pay for it. More details tonite.