On the road again...kinda

Well,

I thought I would let all know that I am officially back on the road. I have put in three weeks of consistent rides so I feel like I am on the right track....and can say I honestly "ride".

Last week I rode the Tour De Phx. It is a 75 mile course that winds in my old stomping grounds as well as close to where I work. So I was very familiar w/ the area. I met Dan, who once rode this course as a cat1-2 pro (when it was 100 miles he finished under 4:30) a few years back and he was pumped to be riding it again. All in, there were about 1000 riders. I knew the first 20-30 miles would be fast. We took off, and the next thing I knew, Dan dropped me in the first 2 miles. We were avg. about 26 mph for the first 20 miles. It was flat and intense. I was just gripping and holding on. I later discovered the disadvantage I had riding in a race like this using a compact crank. I felt like I needed 2-3 more bigger gears. I was spinning in my biggest gear pretty fast. I also discovered something a week later, riding in my biggest gear caused my chain to become stiff and there was no oil on these cogs. Enough excuses..? Did I mention I had a wooden leg?? Anyway, after about mile 25...we hit Shea blvd which is right by my work and I hit a wall. Yep...that freakin wall...at only mile 25??? I think going so fast hanging w/ a group that I really should not have been with...burnt me out. I know I had another 50 to go....so I regrouped w/ a slower paceline going up Shea hill. I actually did well going up hill and dropped the group I was in and caught up with the lady...I know...wheel sucking on a girl...but she was a beast there are no laws when the wind is in your face. (I actually did get out in front of her and let her hang on to the top)...but she did a ton of work. The next 20 or so miles were really uneventful. It was the last 10 that takes you up Ursury Hill. I thought I did ok here as well. We joined up with the 26 mile racers here so it was a big group of us movin up the hill. Down hill after that and into the finish line. My goal was to finish under 4 hours...where I actually came in +9 min of that. I will take that I guess considered my wooden leg and all. My neck of course acted up again and I need to see if the LBS can do anything about how I sit on the bike before the STP. All in I was ok with the ride. I will ride it again next year and have a goal to finish under 3:30.

I got out on a few lunch rides and also yesterday...where I tweaking w/my bike some and discovered my chain issues. Once I cleaned them and oiled them up...I felt really strong. Not sure if it was the chain, me or the cleaning acting like a placebo...but I felt really good on my 35 miler yesterday. I fear I need to put in more miles on Saturdays if I want to hang w/ the "Beast" Beecher come this summer. My goal is to ride at least three times a week from here on out. I will keep readers updated. Also, for those of you who don't know, I am signed up for the STP (Seattle to Portland) ride in the summer. 200 miles in one day. Freakin nutz I know....but that is my only goal this year. I will also ride the Tour de tucson at the end of the year to close it out...goal is to beat last years time by 45 min. (this means fewer stops and of course faster pace)

Well...that is about it. I look forward to watching Western Conf play-offs in the next week and the Sun is beginning to wram up the pool....perhaps some swimming to strengthen up my core.