The Wasted Day

nospam@example.com (Coy Thorp) — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:41:45 -0700

Stardate -- 313356.96. Your mission: Drive to Mammoth Mountain Resort and assist in setting up a WatchGuard demo, then continue the drive to Los Angeles.

So, I start this day at 4 a.m, waking up, packing up, and getting on the road by 5. I needed to be in Mammoth by 11 a.m., but since it had stormed the night before, I wasn't sure of road closures or delays, so I left a couple of hours early.

Back in the Saddle Again

nospam@example.com (Coy Thorp) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:35:01 -0700

I'm back!

Okay, that's a cheesy song reference, but it is still true. I rode 21.5 miles yesterday, average speed 15.8 mph.

I was far more nervous about this ride than I thought I would be. I rode through corners and on even the slightest downhill with a tentativeness that wasn't normal. Teresa wants me to continue to ride like that, but I know that riding like that actually causes accidents, so I'm hoping that all of my confidence comes back soon. Towards the end of the ride, I got more confident. I'm taking today off (it's Easter), but will be back at it tomorrow. As most of you know, I had a spectacular crash, and it's taken me a lot longer to come back from that, psychologically, than I ever thought it would. I need to really ride now...the DeathRide is approaching, and I am rider 2787. I will complete it. I WILL.

Some of the things I missed about cycling were:

The sound of speed. This includes the hum of the tires on pavement, the wind whistling past my ears, the ever-so-slight mechanical snick of the gear change.
Wildlife viewing. I saw 4 deer, 1 coyote, and more birds than I can shake a stick it. Including this little guy.
The shared friendliness of almost everyone on the American River Parkway. Lots of "Good Mornings" and "On Your Lefts."
Passing another cyclist.
Drafting off of a stronger cyclist for as long as I could. I asked first, so I'm not a wheelsucker.

Some of the things I didn't miss:

Soft tissue soreness. It's not because the saddle is hard, it's because I'm soft. Gimme a couple of weeks.
Kamikaze squirrels.
People with headphones in. Honestly? You are on one of the most beautiful multi-use trails in America, surrounded by the sounds of wildlife and rushing water. Leave your iPod at home. Plus, you don't get to say "Good Morning" to me.
Starting uphill with clip-ins.
People who don't pay attention. You don't just wander across the path without looking. I expect it from kids, not adults.

That's it for today. Time to check the dinner I'm making for everyone, and the computer I'm working on for the Corbin's.

Peace.

Where Chester Lives

The Wasted Day

Back in the Saddle Again