Team People's Pisgah trip

The last couple years I have joined some friends on a trip to Pisgah. The trip is filled with some big rides that include plenty of elevation. With the races that I have planned for this year, I decided to take my SS for the trip. I normally have a hard time keeping up with the group, but if I hope to have any chance at finishing a couple of the races on the list, I knew I needed to see what I could do.

This year we did things a little different and rented a house so we could all stay together. The group was bigger than the last two years and the house worked out great. It let us all start together easier with out having to meet someplace and it also gave us some more hang out time in the evening. We could also fix what each of us wanted for breakfast and not having to put up with hotel food. It also helped to have a full size fridge to hold all the beer too.

Dirty South Roubaix 2018

Last weekend was the second running of the Dirty South Roubaix in Southern Illinois. Last year a last minute decision had me at the starting line and I had a great time. The area has some great views and nice gravel roads. This year there was a couple more classes and with my trend for the year I signed up in the single speed class. Coming off of a great ride at the Gravel Grovel, this didn't seem like that bad of an idea. All I can say is that I'm not really sure if it was a good idea.

We decided to head over on Friday night just to make the morning a little easier. We got there early enough to check in and get a bite to eat. Hanging out with a group of people is part of what makes racing even more fun. Riding the actual race is "fun", but most of the time you are suffering all alone in your head. At times there are others around you, but it can get very lonely in your head.

Sand, Sun and Lots of miles

 

There is a yearly trip to Florida every February. I have made the trip a couple of times, but not too many. I didn't really plan on going this year, but a few things ended up happening and my winter training was lacking so I decided to join in on the trip. Previous years they had been going to Clear Water Beach area. It was a nice place that had bike lanes all the way out to Fort Desoto and back. Two years ago I was there and we had a lot of flats. The lanes had a lot of debris and the traffic was increased from previous years. That bike lane also has a lot of start and stops along the way.