On the Road(bike)

Making the unfamiliar familiar again. Drug the De Rosa out from the depths of the basement where it has been relegated to that trainer bike. It felt as responsive as the first day I rode it out of Freewheeling in Austin. I love the feel of ferrous between my legs. Time will be spent on the De Rosa over the next month in preparation for a road race or two before the gravel season. A trip to Ft Davis for Hammerfest in very intriguing but the drive is not. A race out east has some possibilities.

Looking to mid-March for a eastern Colorado gravel ride, maybe 60-80 miles. I'll be trying to nail down a route over the next few weeks.



.

Decisions

Life goes by with all the complicate choices that need to be made. I was discussing my choices for a new phone. I compared the two to Shimano and Campagnolo. Shimano being the slick new innovative line with battery power and Campy being that old school technology that will be around for ever. My 1989 Campy stuff is powering the Borthwick as well as it has for the past 20 years. The Shimano on my 10 year old De Rosa is starting to show wear and tear. Back to the phones. Touch screen cool, hip new technology or stodgy and corporate. I should break out of my engineer mentality and embrace the new, first I'll convert everything back to 5 speed.

At least this decision doesn't leave me standing in the garage ready for a ride and having a hard time choosing that perfect bike.

.

Into the Thick Air

The miles and days seem to just click by. The inspiration is lacking but the methodical effort in which the work is getting done keeps me going. Mentally overcoming is the struggle, always something, tweak in back, too windy, or not enough coffee. Watching the Euro season unfold gives hope to my aging body as the CO season kicks off soon. Clear roads are the daily draw. Snows will be back soon, so for now I log the miles and think about better times with some gravel under my tyres.

Books have been filling the evenings with adventure. So much to do! Summer trips are coming together but more winter travel will take place first.

Work will begin on the fleet. May is coming quickly!


.

Odds

There are may variables that can alter ones expected outcome. Preparation and planning are keys to decreasing the likelihood of failure. Don't dream dreams, KILL THEM!

With good weather and clear roads, the early year foundation has been fun to set. The odds are the snow will come again, I'll be ready.


.

Random Quotes

Lite Reading at the Refuge

"Don't take life seriously because you can't come out of it alive." Anon

"Your children will ski as well as you do for one day in your life. The next day, they'll be better."-Warren Miller

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do."-Warren Miller

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." -- T.S. Eliot

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying."- Michael Jordan

.