Summer has rolled on by and I feel like I didn’t get enough riding in while it lasted. This isn’t entirely true, but I can’t help but feel like some of the better riding weather slipped underneath my nose. Still, not all is bad. I rather enjoy slipping back in to my full tights and thicker jerseys. What the heck, bring on the cold and rain.

The riding I did do produced some interesting tan lines this year. Aside from the usual glove tan’s, I have really defined marks across the top of my leg and above my ankles. All the sun screen in the world doesn’t stop the onslaught of sun from a full day or two at a time on the bike.

On our bike ride last Thursday, Chris mentioned the “what’s next” letdown he felt after completion of the 600K. I admit that it didn’t hit me as strong, but I definitely feel the siren call of the “next big thing”.

The obvious choice for me is the Cascade 1200. I was really hoping they would put it on this last season, but I am glad to know that it will be on the schedule for 2010. The website is pretty sparse on info so far (and needs a redesign…) but it already has me excited. The PBP I plan on riding in 2011 is also a 1200K, so this would be more than adequate training for the overseas ride.

From what I hear, the Cascade ride is one of the hardest 1200K’s around, and it doesn’t surprise me a bit. The course tends to ride over all of the favorite mountain passes in the area with different days rolling through varied terrains, hot and cold. It should be quite an adventure.

Before next season, I am really going to try and drop a few pounds too. I’ve been stuck in this rut at around 200 pounds for well over a year now. I am fitter than I have ever been, but no lighter. That doesn’t help me get up the mountains any quicker. It is obviously easier to say this than actually do it, but I’m hoping that I’ll be a little more accountable to the goal by putting it out there. Time will tell.

Mark Thomas put out a call for volunteers a few weeks back. I saw an open 200K and figured it would be a good next step after putting on the 100K this last season. Somehow I got suckered in to both the 200 and the 600K. Apparently they are going to be run on the same weekend and should finish at the same location. I have no clue where it will be yet. I think maybe a vampire themed ride through Forks is appropriate though. Everyone has to wear fangs and pancake white makeup through the whole ride. And body glitter.

Thoughts?

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 at 10:18 am and is filed under future, preparation, sir. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.