RIDE THE WAVE

Ever since Monday, every day this week we have been hit with a deluge of storms. Not just your ordinary thunder boomers either. We have had trees down, signs getting knocked off their posts, the whole nine yards. My first chance to ride since Sunday's Iron Mtn adventure I passed up. It was short track last night. It was nasty weather, I was watching the radar and it looked as if we were going to get hammered with wind, rain and lightning again. It never materialized though but we did get wet. I was just a spectator at short track. Just as it was over we saw a huge streak of lightning crackle down and pop a transformer. Yea we got the big bang and all the sparkles from a lightning strike right in front of us about 100yds away. Shortly after the power company trucks arrived a couple of JC's finest showed up with blue/red lights to block and close the road. I had to take the long way around back to my house since Southwest Ave was temporarily closed. Sure enough when I arrived home the power had been out for a few minutes as per the stove clock. Today? more of the same . Hot until around 3 or so then here comes the torrential rains and wind. We have just been hammered as of late I'm telling ya. It cleared up rather quickly though and I was running behind. I put my kit on and headed out in reverse order of the Thursday Night Ride. I'm riding along cherokee rd. feeling pretty good and think "what the hay, lets try my TT to the top of Buffalo" So I'm off, nice pace climbing the small rollers and keeping my pace brisk. I haven't been riding the S-works much lately and she let me know it. It felt like I was trying to keep control of something that wanted to run....well not really but it sounded good! I get onto Dry Creek rd and my legs are still turning the cranks over strong for me. I look at the garmin and I'm thinking " I may get this". I keep my pace! I round the last curve to the final pitch of Buffalo and I stand to get some more. I refuse to look at the garmin until I can see the little brown ATV sign. I see it ahead and I glance............ 16:35. Crap, my legs are on fire and I push out everything I have left. I pass the sign at 17:11....DAMMIT! 11 seconds off my record from my house, if I had only gone out harder! If a frog had wings........

After rolling over the top I see John, his son and Mike taking a little break. I stop to chat for just a minute then follow John and friend off the mountain to do the backside before returning home. My punishment for not getting my record was to do the backside in the big ring up front. I did it and then rode to the house. The roads were still wet so I eased through all the turns coming home. I wish sometimes I could afford a PT. I have got out of the "push myself harder phase" lately because I have no extra $$ for racing, so why train? A full summer of road racing planned now down the drain. I guess that's why I have been living on the mountain bike. Oh well, I have been having tons of fun riding the 26er and that's what it's all about in the end.....ain't it??


LAter G....................