Feeling Like 2005 or Was It 2006?

I have never had great seasons or years racing, I raced as poorly 10 years ago as I do now. I'm not proud of that, that's just a fact. I did have some good years around 2005 and 2006, my results were usually better than mid pack, my weight was WAY less, and I was getting way more miles in. Of course I was way younger too and had way less health issues. Blah, blah, blah, whatever.

The point of this post is that I clearly remember the good nights in the saddle during those years. The times that I would hurry out of work early to hit Boyce Park or the road for 2 hours in the summer sun (or more often the dreary, humid grey) of Western PA. I remember the way the sun filtered through the trees as I hurried along singletrack, anxious to get home, see Wifey and B-Man and feed my belly that was aching for some food.

Even though I am 20 times happier now with my life, family and career, I still miss those days of uber fitness, race goals, seeing more ribs than belly, and riding more miles than write about.

An evening spent with some fine Michigan single track.

In some ways I am stronger now. My fitness is pretty darn not bad for almost 40 (give me a few weeks), my family life is better, and I no longer have to cut out work early from a company that I detested to go ride. My current employer is all ABOUT the ride. Sometimes I just wish it was more about MY ride, but I am more than OK with that.

Racing over the years is about priorities, goals, and fun. My priorities have changed (my family, my business, my riding), my goals have changed (mid pack is the new top 5), but the fun has NOT changed. I still look forward to riding, I still look forward to racing, and I still have a ton of fun riding my bike, even if I am even slower and have even less chance of winning a race.

So what does all this REALLY have to do with 2005 or '06? Well, nothing really, other than for some reason I remember those summer nights, riding singletrack, feeling good and having fun in the deep orange sun and long shadows of a summer evening. Right now my schedule has me riding more in the evening, I am experiencing those summer evenings on the bike all over again, and it feels great. Sort of like 2005 or 2006, but this time it's better. Just different.

I had a great ride tonight. Like 50x better than on Sunday, and I can't wait for the MF Lumberjack 100 on Saturday and seeing some of my east coast homies. LOL.


Later.