Offseason

I've been biking for a few years, but 2010 was the first year I would say that I have "cycled". In other words, it was the first year I "trained" and had "goals"; it is also the first time I've had an offseason. Here are some thoughts I've had while I wait for the frigid Texas winter to pass.

1) I've always loved the cold, but I discovered that I kinda hate being cold on a bike. I am a weenie. I haven't ridden much lately besides my commute since winter started. But that's ok, because....

2) I think taking a break is a good thing. By the time the LIVESTRONG ride rolled around, I had gotten a little tired of riding and training all the time- I didn't like how that felt.

Don't get me wrong, it was exciting to improve at something new and to measure my progress. I also had leg muscles for the first time ever and I felt more fit than I had since college. Many days, after my 16 mile round trip commute, I would hit Parmer lane for a 25-40 mile training ride. The downside of all that was that my body went into overdrive and I found myself constantly having catch up with my out of control metabolism. This meant being hungry at 10:30am after a full breakfast at 8am, or eating an entire pizza and baked potato and not totally being satisfied.

As crazy as it sounds, the thing I got most tired of during training was the joyless process of shoving food down my gullet.

One small bonus was that I could drink as much beer as I wanted without worrying about a belly. In fact, I downright needed the carbs.Not a bad deal.

3) I can't believe I became one of those people in spandex!

Thinks to self: "Lookin' good Andrew. Lookin' real good. The ladies love it. Don't worry about the sunglasses, they are supposed to be crooked."

4) Finally,  I'm itchin' to get off my butt and do it all again. There is something about propelling myself around central Texas on two wheels under my own power that feels really good.

I've got this marked on my calendar, it's the Austin Autism Society Bike Ride, which was my first organized ride last year, consequently, it's what hooked me on long distance cycling...
OK, so the date is kinda far away, but I'm sure the pain-mongers, aka Luke and Spencer, have something planned before that.

Here's to a bike-filled and safe 2011.