Category Thirteen: The Random, Wayward Musings of an Unsigned Writer

Sitting at my desk, iPod ear bud in one ear, nothing in the other so that I can hear the phone if it rings. Attempting to set up set up a CPR/First Aid class for next week for new employees and those in need of re-certification. Taking notes for a CPI training meeting at 5:30 pm and wondering how I'm going to make it to the Team Kaos group ride at 6:00. In the back of my mind lingers the presence of the ubiquitous MA thesis as the sand sifts through the hourglass representing the small amount of time remaining on my first semester graduate credits before they expire. Still need to finish the forms the MFA program I'm starting in July.

Life is a balancing act, a lesson I'm learning much too late in life to implement effectively.

The problem is that there are only 24 hours in a day and I'm forced to spend 7 of those asleep. Anything less and I may as well scrap any ambitions of racing my bike at any level remotely resembling competitive. I've also somehow managed to make time to watch the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy), much to the chagrin of the bosses. Or rather, it would be if they knew I was using work time.

This post is turning out to be somewhat of a visual reminder for me. I tend to forget things not written down. Back to the point.

It's likely clear that the two biggest priorities in my life (aside from my wife) are riding my bike and education. Regarding the former, it should be interesting to see if I can pull off a miracle to ride on time tonight. Based on last Saturday's ride, my confidence is growing.

We spent more than 3 hours on the road, a group of 30 or more riders. We rode through rain, wind and oppressing humidity and it was still a fantastic ride! Something I've noticed about myself, is that I seem to get stronger as the ride goes on. Riders on the front of the pack would test each other by sprinting for road signs. I watch this go on all day and reacted enough to stay in the mix.

Nearly 2.5 hours into the ride, I took a flyer off the front of the pack, just before a fairly steep (albeit short) climb. I hit the base of the hill with enough momentum to keep the pedals spinning comfortably at 100 (+ or -) rpms. I decided to leave the chain in a large gear and attempt to keep my cadence up to power through the climb. A quick glance over my shoulder revelealed the group reacted too late. As I approached the crest, I heard a teammate from 20 meters or so back yelling, "Go, go, go!" which gave me the one last kick I needed to come over the top of the hill... first.

This might not seem like a big deal, but from those who've ridden with me, they can tell you I am not a natural at going uphill on a bicycle. I slog through it. The effort took a lot out of me. It was the last match in my matchbook I had to burn. The next hill was about twice and long but half as steep. As it was, I only made it half way up with the leading group before I cracked. Rider after rider passed me on the ascent. However, I was strangely OK with it. I could officially say I won a sign sprint and after that, anything is really possible.

That's why I've been so looking forward to tonight's ride, which is faster and more intense than Saturday's. And also why I'm irritated about a 5:30 meeting 30 minutes before the group departs. With any luck, I can still catch them at the half way point. I'll drive a little ways into the route and ride until they pick me up. In theory that's how it will work, anyway.

The phone is ringing and my BlackBerry tells me I've got emails to check. No rest for the wicked or weary. Back to the grind and all that.

OK for now.