Reporting on the group ride - in case you were wondering.

The weather in Boston has been marvelous lately.



Look at that sky. It's a warm, inviting sky.

We met up for a ride at the normal meeting place.



We "know" that bathroom well. Even Matt came along.



Erik decided he would set the pace for the rest of our ride.



Ow. Ow. And ow. I guess riding 1,200 lbs cargo trikes every day helps a bit.

And now, the end. Thank you Espresso Royale.

Practice

I've been "training" since the second week of January, but the beers to hours ridden ratio is still to far over to the beer side. I've been riding inside mostly, only venturing out on a couple of the coldest days of the year. I'm already behind where I'd like to be this year, and have already begun to rethink what my "A" races will be. So, after having done a couple of roller rides this week I decided to get up before dawn, eat, and meet for the 7am shop ride.

Once we get everyone together, and head out it's the largest B2C2 ride that I've been on; Erik, Avi, Mike, Greg and I rolled out for a long ride in the Dover area. Smooth rolling for the first forty minutes, and I even manage to change gloves while not being dropped, or crashing.

Many miles, several attempts to ride in a pace line, and a couple of silly descents follow. Somewhere about 2:45 into the ride I realize that I failed to turn my computer back on after the nature break, and that I've not been riding in zone 2, but more likely in the 3.5-5. bad news. We roll back through Dover for another short loop, and the fade starts. A "little ring chase group" forms, and Greg, Mike and I give Avi and Erik some rope. On the way back into town I'm really starting to hurt; quads starting to cramp, calves burning, leg warmer gripper cutting into my groin, in other words, fun. Back into Needham, and I'm off the back and getting further back. Mike drops back, gives me a friendly wheel and some words of encouragement, and a flash light so i can see the walls of the cave. Eventually the end of the ride comes, and I eat some delicious

Lessons that I learned this weekend:

• Must keep hours of training to number of beers consumed firmly in the 6:1 ratio not the more UCI friendly 3:1 ratio that I've been in.
• Avi is a small diesel, Erik is a big diesel, I am a smart car right now.
• Weighing 15lbs. more than your teammate is fun on descents because you can sit up and stretch while he is in the drops hammering, you'll still pass him.
• That same 15lbs. means that climbing even little hills hurts your ego almost as much as your legs

Moderately successful bike rides

Riding bikes in February is a balancing act. You don't want it to seem too serious, otherwise you'll fall into the "training nut" or "no fun" category of cyclist. Nobody doesn't like fun! People might think you care too much. Making a lot of remarks about winter weight helps out.

Realistically, we all like to ride our bicycles, which is why sometimes we subject ourselves to less than optimal weather conditions.



If by winter weight you mean, every article of clothing I have? Then yeah, I've put on a couple of pounds.



Mike and I met up at the shop, amidst a sea of text message bail outs. This was taken from inside, mostly because of our reluctance to exit.

We rode bikes for a bit, apparently it was cold.

And now, for the most important part, the coffee shop photo:



All good rides end at Espresso Royale Caffe on Newbury St. Unfortunately, all the tables were taken, so I did not have an opportunity to take a latte pour shot.

Our ride was very exciting.


Such detail!

Stay tuned for more fun and exciting tales once I can figure out how to operate a camera with four gloves on.

Someone's idea of fun.

Sadly, most folks were not able to make it to the CXWorld party in Beverly, but we did manage to bring the team together for an indoor "training" session.

Yeah, that's right, a bunch of cyclists in a dark Allston basement hanging out and "riding bikes."

Though it was a good opportunity to do an FTP test. And also, to be heckled.

practicing.

not a game.



this was in my head the entire ride today, and i dont even know who half the people in that video are.

thanks to josh for implanting it in my brain for all time.







playoffs.