That Felt Good. Do It Again.

After yesterday's weather/time road ride c*ck block I was NOT gonna let it happen again. So today I had the Campeon and gear good to go for a post B-Man school drop road ride. The radar looked pretty clear or at least clear enough, and void of any yellow blobs to go ahead and get some ride time in out on the road. I dropped B., headed home, and got lubed and chamoised ASAP.

The temps were nice; mid 50s with no rain or strong winds. In my mind I heard my inner Yoda/Roadie say "in big ring ride you will". Since my compact crank big ring is not really all that big, I thought "that's doable!... Sort of!". I was actually shocked at how many climbs I was able to power up in the 50 that I just took for granted my flabby ass would never be able to power up. Ah, Yoda... you're the best coach.

At about mile 19 I felt some sprinkles. At mile 20 it started to rain. At mile 21 it was a steady rain. The rain was as cold as the blood in Eddy Merckx's veins, but felt as warm as the sweat coming off of Miguel Indurain's back in my mind. In other words, the ride rocked, even with the rain. I had a rain jacket but figured what the f*ck? I'm soft core! I can take a warmish rain with only 10 miles to go. Ha!

The only really bad part about the rain was it covering my glasses with water- thus not seeing. And of course the dead fish smell that permeated the air. I felt like I was riding with my face stuffed in a box full of dead Carp. Eeesh! Other than that the legs felt strong, and I was really enjoying being out on the road.

At the bottom of one 35 mph downhill is a rail road crossing. You gotta ease off, put your weight back and kind of hop them. All went fine except for my one bottle jumping ship, bouncing off the road, rebounding off the Campeon, being crushed by me rear tire and blowing the lid off like it was a pop bottle Mentos bomb. Just lucky I didn't crash due to said bottle. Note to self- Get a new bottle cage!

All and all a good day in the saddle and the weather looks like it might clear out for dryer roads tomorrow. Hope so.

To add some fuel to my mountain biker forced to the road 'cause of shit weather motivation, I came home to find the two issues of Embrocation (volumes 2 & 3) I ordered in the box. SWEET! I couldn't wait to see them. And they did not disappoint. I LOVE IT! This could be the best cycling mag out there.

Lots of influence from Rouler but I find the writing less "flowery" and more fun to read. It's all road/cross, and a bit pricey to buy, but if you love bikes, great photography, design and writing, I HIGHLY suggest you pick up a copy. At least that's my 2¢. If I can make XXC 1/8 as good as Embrocation I'll be proud.

The Campeon has been cleaned and lubed for tomorrow's ride. Now all I have to do is get the shoes in front of a fan to dry out. I guess I better go do that.

Later.