Monday, August 17, 2009

An actual update!!!


Hi All,
Sorry for the huge gap in between entries. Truth be told, I've come to realize that blogging takes some commitment, and I've managed to place quite a few other commitments ahead of this one. I was out on a ride last week, working my way through the hills of San Diego County, when a thought occurred to me...instead of blogging about just my training, or my races, (which these days have been few and far between), why not write about what I see, or what I experience while on my bike. So here goes...

What made me think of this, was an incident that happened soon after I pulled out of the Chevron off the 15 and Highway 76, next to Nessy Burger. I decided to head straight down the 76 East and make my way to Cousar Canyon Road. As I made my way down the highway, I came up on a large construction project, (I believe they're widening the Highway). There was a construction worker standing in the middle of the road holding one of those "Stop/Slow" signs, with the "Stop" side facing me. I rode to the front of the line, to let my presence be known to the cars waiting to proceed down the road.

As the worker flipped the sign, I clipped in and took off. Now mind you, this section of road was slightly downhill, and within a few seconds I was cruising along at 25-28mph, trying to keep my speed up as not to hold up traffic. There was no shoulder in this section of road, just cones on the right-hand side. I was riding as close to the cones as possible, noticing that not far up the road the cones ended, and then I'd be able to get out of the way, and let the cars pass.

Well needless to say, some jackass in a large, black truck, decided he didn't want to wait and gunned it by me. I knew the truck was coming, I could hear the engine rev. At that point, I moved over as far right as I could, uncomfortably close to the cones as the truck sped by. As soon as I thought I was clear of the truck I just began to move back over, when all of a sudden I noticed he was also towing a trailer with a dune buggy on it! I just manged to veer right, and I swear I felt something solid brush my left shoulder! Hands down the closest I've come to be taken out. I had to laugh to myself when I looked up and noticed the "Jesus is Lord" sticker dominating the guys rear window! Yeah right!

On the training front...I've been working my ass off in preparation for the Mt. Charleston Hill Climb. Hands down, one of my favorite races of the year. Weekly Palomar repeats, yes I did say Palomar repeats:) Dieting and getting the weight down as much as possible. I have to say though, I'm getting tired of always being tired. This level of intensity in my training leaves me little energy for anything else.

Nothing to report on the racing front, seeing as how I haven't raced since May! I can't wait to pin a number on, I just hope the lack of competition doesn't hurt me too much come race time. Hope all is well out there! Until next time...