Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Fall has arrived

50 degrees, wind out of the northwest and a steady drizzle with periods of heaver rain. Break out the wool and put away the shorts; fall is here and it's going to be a long long time till spring.

On another note, New York City is putting in some rather innovative bike lanes. I hope these catch on and more and more people start to figure out how to get out of their 4 wheel cages and onto their bikes. Wake up America!  Bicycles are a viable means of transportation, not a toy.  All of Europe has figured it out, why can't we?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

What to Do?


What to do, what to do? This was my first foray into mountain bike racing since 1992. In 1992 I did one race at Clay's Park and then completely hung up the bike. I didn't touch one again until the summer of 2003. Up until this summer the only racing I have done was a couple partial seasons of cross, never leaving the "C" or beginner field. I just never felt that I was good enough to upgrade to the next level.

Now that my first season of MTB racing is all but over, with the Groovy Series at Vulture's Knob and the 3 race N.E.O. Power Series being over, I am starting to question my plans for future seasons. Do I keep going the way that I am going, muddling along in the beginner class? I have been making it to the podium; a 2nd, a 3rd, a couple of 4th's and an overall win in my age group in the N.E.O. I didn't win a race, but I guess being consistent and showing up all the time is a good thing.
So here is the thought: do I continue to race beginner, hoping for that elusive win? Concentrating on beating the few that have been able to beat me this season? Or do I upgrade, knowing full well that for the next couple of seasons or perhaps forever, I will be nothing but field filler?


By staying where I am at, I will continue to race within my comfort zone. I am comfortable doing one lap. The suffering does not last long. It is not painful. Or, do I leave my comfort zone, knowing full well I am going to get abused, knowing that there is going to be much suffering and pain, knowing that I am going to have to dedicate myself to one idea or the other, because moving up would involve an entire new training schedule.




What to do, what to do, what to do................?

****Thanks to Bob Grimm for the pictures****