So NOT Pro

What a great week on the bike. Well at least for me. Sure there are Pros putting in huge numbers, tracking watts, heart rate, hematocrit levels, and playing pseudo SAT math games like "what are the chances of a random piss test today?" I am SO not one of them. I rode a chamois hair cling on under 11 hours this week and all but 30 minutes was on the Mamasita, enjoying the finest in Western PA shit roads. Not one mile was completed in a controlled "zone." I really don't have zones other than the following...

1. Coasting
2. Thank God for tail winds!
3. I think I could ride all day...
4. This burns, but is totally doable...
5. This climb could end any time now.
6. F*ck! This burns!! Bad!
7. Mother....
8. I think I swallowed my tongue.
9. And there it is... VOMIT!
10. Who would have thought laying on the side of the road/trail could be this good?

I also doubt many Pro types (code for everyone from REAL Pros to Sport racers who take themselves WAY to seriously) were out riding their mountain bike on the road or would ever be SEEN riding their mountain bike on the road. Although, there are some that do, and I know who they are.... And I know they're down with what's hip. (you couldn't see but I just gave the secret "I know you know it's hip." hand gesture. Sorry, I can't really say what it is).

So what did I do to end a week with good hours? I did the logical Spock like thing today-- I rested. And it felt goooood. It also gave me a chance to go over the Mamasita and see all the shit wrong with it. Brake pads- fried. Rear break piston- frozen. Fox Fork- needs an oil change, etc., etc., So me and B-Man were off to the shop to drop her for some love from my fave wrenches.

I also needed some road tubes, a new pump, and some bottle cages. All was picked up PDQ at Pro Bikes Monroeville. You know you have a great shop when A. You walk in and you automatically feel you are among friends, and B. The head mechanic/manager pops in on his day off, just 'cause he digs his job, and without even being asked, is helping a customer (not me, I don't count), on his DAY OFF. Speaking of Mr. Head Mechanic/Manager... good luck to him this week, as he's going under the knife for some knee surgery. Speedy recovery to him. Anyway you can get my bike done BEFORE you go under the knife??? LOL!

Once home I was able to continue with my Sunday project of getting the Campeon ready for some spring mileage. I have been on the Campeon (my road bike, the Salsa Campeon) about 1 to 2 times since August of 2009. Freaky! I got sucked into some funky and fun road loops that had me on rail trails, farm roads, back roads, and pavement, all were best done on my Mamasita. But, I do SORT OF miss the feel of a road bike. So I got her OFF of the trainer, dealt with some faulty old tubes, put the spanky Maxxis Detonators I bought last summer on (the best training tire EVER!!), made sure she was shifting, not shitting, and added a new bottle cage. Nothing says PRO like mismatched bottle cages, mountain pedals, heavy puncture resistant clinchers, and the want to do nothing but get long miles and saddle time in. NO crits, NO road races, NO pissing contest group rides. Just time and miles baby. Time and miles.


All things Campeon SEEM to be all A-OK, but I won't know for sure until I get her out this week. Sadly many of the roads I've got used to riding will be off limits. Too many pot holes, too much gravel and too much mud. But I think I can break her in pretty good and once again get my legs used to the feel of my road bike... A bike I will always love, but sadly only ride on a surface that will ALWAYS be a second or third love.

A busy non ride day. Time for some food.

Later.