Is that a soap-box he's standing on?

I've finally found my rhythm again for training and my motivation for improvement is back. Sleep is still allusive most nights, but that is the one variable to which I'm able to adapt easier than what life deals each day.

What training I've been able to accomplish this week has been perfect. I rode the trainer Tuesday night and did the Chris Carmichael climbing DVD, twice. It is a tough one due to all the cadence changes, but part of the training is focusing on your HR. Exactly what I need right now. Yesterday's ride with the Macon group was a wake up call for sure. I committed the error of not eating on the ride because I felt strong the entire time. When the alarm bells went off in my legs, it turned out to be a 10 minute countdown until detonation. I didn't simply fade and slip off the back of the group when I bonked............I nearly came to a complete stop. Those guys were great and waited on me, but I just couldn't keep the pace anymore and it was too late to try and eat gels to even try. Although I'd fallen behind a few times last year and was able to ride myself back on, this was pretty devastating for me. And, a big wake-up call.

One thing did occur when I reached the Macon group that was waiting on me and at first it offended me, but I took it in stride because there was truth in what was asked. One of the guys asked me, "do you guys in Warner Robins wait on folks when they get dropped?" Everyone looked at me for a response. And, the point was made. Touche. It meant a lot to me that these guys waited for me and drove the point home that I should be waiting on folks who get dropped on our CGC WBL rides. The point being made would come around again today when I logged in to update the CGC web page.

Today's CGC WBL ride was a good one even though only 3 other people showed up to join me. I was very worried that the 81 miles I put in Saturday would haunt my efforts today, and the first hour was excruciating. The legs came around after Ammo Hill, however. I began feeling stronger the longer we rode and only started feeling tired when we started climbing the rollers of Camp John Hope toward Hwy-127, which was nearly 56 miles into the ride. About 8 miles out from the finish we were all pretty much done, and I couldn't push more than 20 mph for long. It was a good ride with some great guys. Another 72 miles in the bank for next year.

When I logged into the CGC web page to change the ride details for the next WBL ride, I saw that someone has commented on the "CGC WBL Rides Purpose and Expectations" posting. I appreciate opinions and criticism and it was an honest opinion from someone who had something they needed to say. And, I don't care what he said since his whine came from sour grapes. Not very appetizing for my palate.

Some folks wanted to know just what in the world was our focus, our goals, and the guidelines for the rides, so I stepped up to the plate, gave it my best shot, and thought it was straight forward statements/recommendations of what needs to occur, even though some of the statements were a bit "brash" perhaps. Can't please'em all. Funnier is the fact that 100% of the stated guidelines came from fellow riders' recommendations. The only point I was making in the guidelines is that I will be the bad guy and enforce them. Someone has to and no-one else wanted the job or had a clue of who was going to lead our efforts. Yeah, that's a target on my chest so fire away.

It is times like these that make me want to throw in the towel on this whole CGC WBL thing and let the nay-sayers have their cake. I can do my own training rides on Sundays and get the same results anyway. But, I've already put to rest my own doubts on this endeavour of a winter bike league and I'm committed to see it through regardless. I've talked to Chad at length about whether or not it is worth it, and he's been more than a sounding board for my questions and has given great advice and encouragement for these rides to continue. Given the level he rides at I'm sure he knows what he's talking about since the cyclists that ride according to his guidance are continuing to improve beyond what each thought was possible.

I've always been good at putting puzzles together, not the jigsaw types, but the puzzles I encounter in life such as the post made on the CGC site. And there are only a few possibilities of whom it could be. There are surely more comments to be made, and not always on the CGC site, so the game will continue to be played. Either way, I understand why the statements were made.