Gettin' Ready

Cyclocross season is almost upon us. The first race of the Inland Northwest Cyclocross Series is three weeks from today in Sandpoint--Crosstoberfest!

Last December I talked about becoming beastly and getting prepped for this season of 'cross. So how's that going? Well, the weight loss hasn't happened and there's really no excuse for that other than poor self-discipline. So, no excuse. 

I only did one criterium and that was short lived. The Midnight Century went great. I extended my bike commuting routes so I was doing 12-25 miles and rarely doing less. During this last week I've been doing a drill to and from work. After warming up for 10 minutes I alternate between 30 seconds going all out and 30 seconds of maintaining speed but resting. (I'll call it 30-30's.) By the time I arrive at work in the morning or home in the afternoon I feel like I just completed a race.

Outside of the poor weight loss, I think I'm doing pretty good.

This morning I took Top Greer over to the school yard for a work out. Northwood Middle and Farwell Elementary are next to each other and share a huge expanse of field where I did some 30-30s and sprints.

I also practiced bunny hopping. I've been studying up on the subject using YouTube videos. That's how we learn things today, right? The experts make it look so easy. I'm not getting much height but I think it's enough to clear the half-submerged log on the Sandpoint course. I need a lot of work before I try clearing any barriers. Next time I'll shoot and share some video. Maybe someone can give me some tips--after they're done laughing.

Freshly mown grass clogs up the brakes and gearing pretty well, but it's great to practice under realistic conditions. I wouldn't have it any other way. Top Greer is all cleaned up now and ready for more.