Hey. Apologies for the gap in correspondence. Now that I'm riding again I'll be updating about once a week. Below are details of my off-season, a "how to" on reintegrating into work, and a trip I took to Memphis/Arkansas.
Off Season
After getting back from my bike trip I took about two weeks completely off the bike. Apart from losing my reason to live, riding bikes, I also started working again. Not the best combo. Still, I was able to eat and lay around for a couple weeks. In my opinion, a well deserved and necessary break.
It's pretty easy to feel like a slob.
So I did that for a little.
Riding Again
After settling back into work I started riding bikes again. I waited until I wanted to get on my bike. Then I waited for another week. November 1st, the date I would start riding again, approached like Christmas to a six year old.
Buddy The Elf
After putting in a solid 2500 miles in a month riding felt pretty easy. So I got that going for me. I'm excited to see how the late season mileage will affect early season racing.
How To Work After A Month Of Bike Riding
Step 1: Accept Defeat
Shit, it's obvious that work in any form is not going to be as fun as biking all day everyday. Therefore it is necessary to lay down and die in the name of capitalism. Eventually, (it feels like forever) work will be over and you can once again ride bikes.
Good Form
Step 2: Maintain A Consistent Level Of Activity
Going from six or more hours of exercise per day to zero is a bad idea. I tried it and it did not work. That natural endorphin high I was riding for a month, a year if you count racing season, was pulled out from me all too suddenly. Walking to work or parking further away at the grocery store is enough to maintain sanity.
Jack The Endorphin Laden Giraffe
Step 3: Re-Learn How To Work
After being gone for over a month actions that were once easy will become excruciatingly difficult. Watch your co-workers and do as they do. Answer questions vaguely and try not to freak out. After about a week it will start to feel normal again.
Don't Know What To Do With Your Hands? Wait A Week.
Step 4: Realize It Will All Be Okay
Yeah it sucks but at least it isn't forced labor as a POW in a foreign country. Count your lucky stars and get on with it. Good luck with the reintegration!
Trip To Memphis/Arkansas
Lastly, I took trip to Memphis this past week to meet up with friends and do some hiking. Below are some badass Arkansas hiking/camping photos.
After spending a night in Memphis we drove five hours to Blanchard Springs in Arkansas. The area is full of caves, quaint hiking trails, and a meandering rivers. The worst.
The campsite site had everything. A river, a cliff in the background, a big fire pit, and a level place to sleep. Seen below are five cold people sleeping on a single tarp.
In sharp contrast to Colorado water was omnipresent. Four lane highways had tree canopies and most of the trees were in full fall colors.
More Rocks.
Group Picture.
How to execute a Thoreaudown.
Step 1: Find a picturesque setting.
Step 2: Pick up Portable Thoreau
Step 3: Read random passage to large audience.
An exemplary Thoreaudown setting.
River crossing.
Group family photo.
Thanks for Reading. Check back in later to learn about gym behavior for a cyclist as well as getting your bike ready for winter training.
Good Work.
