Welcome back pain

Today was the first day in 2 weeks I've gone hard on my bike. I rode out to the little training crit we have here out at the Rocky Mountain Raceway. Under darkening skies, we started out with a warning that the race would be called if it really started raining. Because the course is a real race track it has a pretty sweet coating of rubber that if it becomes wet will create a dog-running-on-linoleum like situation.

There were some stiff winds so it made it a little easier to sit in--and sit in I did till the finish--when I was psyched to hold a decent position and then just ride in for the finish. And LUCKILY the weather held and people managed to keep the rubber side down. Good job everyone.

So crit part was great- the ride home sucked. Why do people have to hammer on the ride home from the RMR? Its such a catch-22 for me because I love getting to talk to my old teammates like PB and KK, but I just feel like my legs are getting ripped off. It feels harder than the race because for ONE I have my commuter extraordinaire backpack on and B, after a hard effort my leggies just want to go like the shampoo: nice-n-easy. I totally got dropped at point and then A-Ron grabbed a fistful of my backpack and (literally) towed me back to the group.

This weekend is the High Uintas Classic. It has an Iron Horse like road race in that it has a huge climb. Unlike Iron Horse you actually get to LOSE all the elevation you gained on the 35 mile slightly downhill ride into Evanston, Wyoming. Its a really great race and it should be fun. I don't technically *remember* the last time I've ridden more than 3 hours--but what could go wrong. The time trial is the next morning and then Sunday afternoon is the crit in downtown Evanston. Its one of those crits where a lot of the locals come out because its an excuse to party. Its no Tulsa or Athens---but it is still extremely good value. The hubs is actually going to number up and do the citizens race along with Rick. We're going to have a sleepover at Liz and Rick's the night before.

But best of all will be getting to spend Saturday night at Richie and Renee's cabin in the Uintas. Vino, views and vitamin I will be in full force. I can't wait!