Back in the Saddle

…and starting from near zero.

I began my seasonal occupation ‘counting nuts’ back on September 22. For the next 31 days I spent most of the hours between 6 am and 5 pm at Avanti. I had Sundays off. My ‘contract’ said that this year I wouldn’t work on Sunday NO MATTER WHAT, and Avanti kept up their end. But in the middle of the busiest two week receiving period everyone else was going to come in on the Sabbath, so I did too. I’m a team player when the crush is on.

• 

• 

• 

• 

I spent two of those ‘day off’ Sundays moving furniture. We got some very nice plank vinyl flooring (looks just like wood) to replace the 38 year old carpet in our bedrooms and hallway. I hired a strong college kid to provide some muscle and he and I managed to get everything out and put everything back a week later without breaking anything. But it did mean I missed all the club rides for a little over a month.

During my work month I did 4 road rides, all from home and completely flat, for a grand total of 101 miles. I also did eight 30 minute indoor cycling workouts. I hoped that this would keep my fitness at something close to normal. Hope may spring eternal, but it doesn’t give you good legs.

Yesterday I spent a beautiful Saturday doing the Stockton Bicycle Club ride from Ione to Volcano. 45 miles and 3600 feet of uphill. I hadn’t done that much climbing since August in the Pyrenees. And I suffered, especially on the 14 mile slog along Sutter Creek to Volcano. I got so far behind the others that they were well into the coffee break by the time I arrived.

Most of the riders headed up Ram’s Horn Grade after the break. Usually I would too, but today adding a 1000 foot climb to the ride seemed like a very bad choice. So Brian and I both headed back the easy way, which wasn’t easy for me on this day.

It is astonishing how quickly cycling form goes away. I was a little upset and thinking I was never going to feel strong on the bike again. But I tried to keep reminding myself that in August I did a big week in the Pyrenees and rode pretty well, and I came back with tremendous fitness. So this current state of under performance isn’t permanent. At least I hope not.