Ramblings...

A few things that have happened or that I have been thinking about over the many, many, long, freezing cold, solo rides that I have been on over the last month...

• This sounds like the start of a country song... I was riding my bike to church a few weeks ago to meet my wife and kids for Mass. I stupidly picked a bad, high traffic route and decided to ride on the sidewalk. This particular sidewalk apparently has water constantly running over it from the hill above. Of course it was around 32 degrees when I left the house. Before I knew it... riding down a hill at around 25 mph... I find myself shooting across a 3" thick sheet of ice. I, of course, go down like a sack of potatoes. Didn't get hurt... thank you Lord...
• Today, man and machine become one... not in the biblical sense, but suffice to say that I felt sorry for every man, woman, or child that does not take the time to become truly comfortable and efficient on a bicycle... it is magical and there is nothing else like it...
• I completely rehabbed my basement while managing 12 hours per week on the bike, work 45 hours per week, and raise two kids. Everyone is still happy I think (would I know if they weren't?). Anyone who tells you that they dont have time to workout needs a perspective change.
• Speaking of perspective change, I had to chuckle when I found some old emails where I was saying that it would be 36 degrees so I would not ride until it warmed up. Until this week, I have not ridden in weather over 36 degrees in three weeks with the same gear I had last year.
• I have leaned down quite a bit since New Years. Oddly, I am at 185 lbs (7 lbs over last year at this time) but I am in my smallest waisted pants that I own... pants I havent worn in 12-13 years... the weight room has worked but I hope it is not upper body muscle...
• My 30 min all out on the hoods is around 295W... My 30 min all out on the drops must be around 275W... My TT 30 min max is 269W. They are all growing rapidly but these are low numbers for this time of year for me... I am ready to let it loose a little...

December '08 versus December '09

Last year stats...

34.08 hours on the bike

Average Intensity factor for the month- 0.802

No time lifting weights

This year stats...

40.75 hours on the bike

Average Intensity factor for the month- 0.733

6 hours lifting weights (squats,step ups, plyometric jumps, lunges)

L4 is just starting to pick up now and IF will go up accordingly... it will be interesting to see how more hours, time in the weight room, and less intense work will translate into form this next season. Hope it works out...

Either way, I am as fresh as I have been in three years going into the new year and my threshold is as low as it has been in three years.