Fresh Tracks

Tahoe Rim Trail 10.28

For most of my comrades, this is the silly season. The time where the off season has come to a close, and it is time to get back to work. Last year, I already had a full month of base training under my belt. That meant a full month of riding 3-6 hours a day, six days a week. It is quite a treat to ride for that period of time and never have to ride hard...in fact it was discouraged. This is where the races are truly won...in the off season. The hard work starts now. Aspirations meet opportunity, and the only possibly way for the two to co-exist is through honest to goodness W-O-R-K.

I am missing the excitement of it all to some degree. To be out on the bike for ENDLESS hours, racking up some serious miles gives one a sense of satisfaction and achievement. Not to mention the clarity of mind. With the weather being as nice as it usually is in November in Northern California...it becomes almost infectious. Just when you start to get some confidence under your belt, SMACK in the face, the weather hits you. And from there on out, only the committed continue and hence, the cream will rise to the top.

Yesterday was one of those first "Test" days where the temperature drops below freezing in the pre-dawn hours. As I walked out my door to head to work , scraping the frost off my windshield, I couldn't help but offer up a moment of silence for those of you that were out doing what I used to do every morning, rain or shine...ride it out. While I was perfectly happy and comfortable in my down puffy coat and beanie, I couldn't help buy feel just a little jealous that I wasn't out suffering, building something for the summer.

Pinecrest Peak 11.04

For my comrades, yesterday was the first in a series of tests that will determine the results of some race in the middle of some unknown cattle ranch, on some pothole riddled road, in the middle of the summer, worlds away from today. Were you ridin'...or were you hidin'? Only "you" will truly know, and you only have you to blame one way or the other when the results will be revealed this summer.

I, on the other hand, don't feel the pressure to be out there. I did it, I enjoyed it, and now, I am on to something else. I don't feel the need to be out there and "train", I have found solace in simply riding, regardless of the weather. In fact, I would say I have probably logged more miles on my mountain bike in the past month than I have all last season. The more interesting thing is, I have done predominantly all of those miles in the Sierras, primarily in Tahoe. I have been up there virtually every weekend for the past two months. I can't seem to get enough of that place. I am fortunate enough to have a great group of friends that live there, and are always open to having me come up for the weekend.

Pinecrest Peak 11.04

Back in the day, I was on the road so much in the fall, I never really got to experience the changing of the season in Tahoe. My friends from back East would contest that the change out here pales in comparison, as I would agree, but it is stunning, none the less. This year, I have been really fortunate to watch Tahoe morph from a summer sanctuary into the winter wonderland that it is known for. I have been there to experience the cold nights and warm days of Octoberfest change to sub-freezing nights and cold days of Thanksgiving.

Tahoe 11.11

On my last trip over Thanksgiving, I was feeling like the ride I was on was almost like cheating Mother Nature in a way as there was a significant bit of snow on the ground and I was still riding my bike. The trail was almost unrecognizable at times, yet never unrideable. The downhills were like powder skiing as the snow flew from the sidewall of the tires as I carved the turns that the trail dictated. Freedom never felt so good.

Tahoe 11.25

The shadows told the story of a bike ride mimicking a ski run. A giant grin was plastered on my face as I started to remember why I loved skiing so much. I can't wait to get back to the other things I love...like skiing. I felt bad for everyone that was at home, waiting for the "Big Dump" to happen so that they could finally make their fresh tracks. I was already getting mine.

Tahoe 11.25

Next weekend, it's the real thing. No horsing around on bikes...just skiing. No joke, I'm back.

Squaw 11.26

See you up there...

Enjoy...