:: seanlangford ::

Did the Plainville race yesterday. Carpooled down with CM; he is great.  Really helping me out with my game and the guy really loves the sport.  We took a chance as it was snowing and sleeting like crazy here in the morning.  When we got to Plainville though, the course was bone dry and it was reasonably warm.  We met up with AC which was also very cool: getting to race with coach.  The race was super short and extremely fast around a .5 mi industrial park loop.  The course featured a reasonably technical corner right into the finishing stretch where there was a serious headwind.  I found myself botching this corner quite a few times: being on the outside, not carrying my momentum through it fully and opening small gaps, and getting nudged and flicked into the wind.  This cost me a lot of wasted energy.  I thought I was good at bike handling; these guys are REALLY good at bike handling and tiny mistakes really cost a lot at these higher speeds.  By the time I got the corner fully dialed, and started to get my ‘touch’ back, it was only a few to go.  The pace these guys roll at was pretty amazing; very happy with myself that I was reasonably comfortable and aerobically capable at this level, even with my atrophied ’skills’.  Looks like I’ll do Johnny Cake next weekend in Coxsackie, NY.  I’m looking forward to this longer race.

The Spain trip this year was ‘off the (proverbial) hook’. We had a fantastic crew and had a great time. I love getting to know all the campers; having all the meals together creates a unique social atmosphere. The riding was unbelievable. The Pico, The Sanctuary, El Torcal, the Puerta, the Villaneuva del Conception climbs and others were simply breathtaking. The best riding on the planet, I’m thoroughly convinced. Mostly sunny, warm, and hours of riding with maybe seeing a handful of cars (certainly saw more goats than cars on the roads). Food was also amazing. We are lucky to know the Idles and really love their hospitality. After all this adventure, to come back home lighter and with more fitness is particularly great. I am proud of what John, Mandy and myself have built and hope to continue to refine it. I will post some pictures and some ride profiles soon.