The Prophet gets pumped to ride. Hopefully that thing isn't going to find its way onto his bike.
As Cyclists, we are uniquely subjected to the changing of seasons. The green canopy of forest that we ride through in Summer gives way in Fall to one of orange and yellow that mimics the fire of sunset. Just as those hues give notice to the changing from day to night, so do they now signal the change from Summer to Winter.
It is also a time of transition in our riding. The rides are first wetter, then cooler. Soon, we’ll be rooting about the kit bin for gloves and a wooly hat. Shorts become three-quarters and three-quarters become fulls. There might be a shadow of trepidation in bidding the warm months adieu, but there lurks some excitement, too. Wearing long sleeve jerseys and leg warmers signals to us that the fight for peak form is behind us and our rides now have a sense of insouciance about them; it is freeing to embrace the lack of structure to our rides. We ride, once again, simply for the pleasure of riding.
There is something else. The longer days of Summer almost afford us too much liberty in our training. The sun rises early and sets late; the possibilities to train are endless; the morning ride is skipped for the likelihood of riding in the afternoon. The afternoon schedule fills up and the ride is missed and the training takes on a more frenetic nature. The shorter days of the winter offer less choices, so the rides are fought for more vigorously. Choice can lead to indecision while restriction often feeds discipline.
I embrace the coming Winter and its accompanying discipline. Besides, after the Winter come the Spring Classics, and we loves ourselves some cobbles. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@Rob
One question: You've got two kidneys, right???
@Buck Rogers
Have a look at the contacts section of maltenibeerdotcom
@chris
Fuck Mate, there has been no updates on THAT site since 2014.
I will try to sing up tomorrow for the full ride if I do not hear from Frahnk. Even if I am signed up and they put something together for this Spring, I am sure that I could still join into their trip if I register and pay.
Hoping to be able to register tomorrow. I have to work all day here in Germany and the site does not work on my office computer.
@Buck Rogers
They're still selling the stuff and sponsoring cyclocross riders. Have you tried the two phone numbers? Otherwise try Alex's instragram or facebook.
@Hank
I've seen one of those in action, it was so accurate you could assume the lane without looking. While i trust the lights to give me an edge on metallic wild life encounters, nothing beats out being aware of them first and being able to have a chance to react. That being said, they don't tell you if the car is coming behind you and passing around you, or over you.
@Buck Rogers
@Buck Rogers,
OK Buck, obviously your level of commitment goes waaaaay beyond mine!
And I too ended up under a light delivery van (unloaded!) one Friday afternoon after a petit contretemps. It went over the whole bike and my ankle. So lucky to only have a sprain and limp for 3 days but could still ride. The bike not so lucky, only 1 brake and 1 pedal survived!
As for going in when in the line of fire..?
Not til I can open carry my Samurai sword!
@Rob
@Buck Rogers
Rob, I too have succumbed to the lure of Europa, and now me, Mrs Xyxax and the xyxettes are just outside of Geneva in the shadow of the French Juras. Next year's TdF has a finish about 35 km from the house. I have the summer house that you and Mrs. Rob absolutely must visit.
Buck, I see us doing an Etape first, before suffering through a RVV. Need to do some real riding, though, and take off this fat bastard costume.
@xyxax
Fuckin' 'ell, well played. I hope you are being paid in Swiss francs. Switzerland rocks.
Regarding KT 2017, the V bunker has sustained flood damage and the intercom system doesn't work anymore and as far as I know there are no plans yet. Tricking William and Alex directly makes sense, jaysus, they have as little business sense as we do. And they are the best so anytime spent with them is worthwhile.
@Xyxax, that is just fine, you and Buck bail, do you know something we don't?? Oh wait, there's an election coming up...
Seriously, congrats there does not have to be any reason for moving to Switzerland and I won't be shy if the Realestate gods smile on us!
@xyxax
DAMMIT! I just hate it when someone shows up at the Halloween party in the same costume as me.
But, as for me., training starts today!!!
I just laid my money down for the full RVV cyclo (well, I guess it is actually 25 k shorter than the pro version but it was the longest they offered at 230 k's). I need a huge goal/.target on the horizon or I just eat, drink and get fat!
Time to hit the rollers more than just once a week!