Quick Update
Not a lot going on. With the current weather (snow, the cold kind) I've been spending a lot of time on the trainer and/or hiking. Additionally, I've been frequenting the gym a few times a week. More on that below.
A Few Pictures With Explanations
From Tuesday to Friday I rode the trainer at Fascat. It sounds horrible. However, other riders and sweet trainers made it tolerable.
A few excellent songs that played during those days:
Can I Kick It? - A Tribe Called Quest
Good Times - Styles P
Ready Or Not - Fugees
Still - Geto Boys
Then I went for some hikes.
This is the view from the top of Fern Canyon. I.e. the saddle right before Bear Peak summit.
Longs Peak in the distance.
View from the top of Bear Peak. The middle right shows David Bobka summiting the mountain.
Exciting times.
Even better is that I live in South Boulder (New Mexico) so I can hike Bear Peak from my house.
Good stuff.
View on the way down.
Motivational Book For Early Season Training
Running Away - Robert Powell
A book about a confused man during the running boom. While the character is a lying and/or degenerate asshole, it's easy to relate to the setting of the memoir, beautiful Boulder, CO. The book follows the usual inspirational plot line. I.E. person makes mistakes in life and then he/she becomes a better person through exercise. Powell separates himself from similar books with a complete openness to his life and actions. Overall a good read.
How To Go To The Gym As A Cyclist
Fun Fact: Cyclist don't fit in at the gym. Especially the CU gym where crossfit is king and everybody is secretly listening to Taylor Swift's new album. Follow along for a few tips on how to fit in.
Step 1: Be confident
Just be like Harry Potter and go for it.
Walk in and immediately complete a full lap of the gym. While walking make awkward eye contact with everyone in the room. Once completed you have nothing to lose. If people stare back give them the evil eye.
Step 2: Stick To Your Strengths
Hang out near the leg machines and yoga mats. This is a recommendation not a requirement. However, be aware that you will be asked to *spot* someone if you stray too near to the bench press.
*Spot* Definition: To stand over a large mammal while they lift weights below you. This usually involves eye contact and grunting. Just Say No.
Would you *spot* a dolphin? If the answer is no, don't spot at all.
Quick Tangent, How To Say No. In Case you were wondering. I'm not sure if the strength in numbers (#8) approach will come as useful.
Step 3: Keep out during peak hours
As introverted, mostly selfish, and maniacal individuals cyclists enjoy training alone. Therefore, avoid the attending the gym immediately before 9:00 a.m. and after 5:00p.m. Not only is the gym floor more crowded but it also possible to smell, breath, and take in the stress (dermal absorption) emanating from those around you. The gym corners are filled with people emailing, texting, tweeting, answering work calls, and overall just looking incredibly depressed. Duck that.
It's very easy for a gym to feel like an extension of work.
An even worse time to attend the gym is directly after the first of January. It's difficult to move, there is a lot of out of shape breathing (distinctly different from in shape breathing), and there are never any cardio machines available.
Meet Jim (ha!) and Cheryl. Gym owners from Albuquerque after the "New Year Resolutions" boom of 2006.
Step 4: Get Out While You Are Up
The gym is a great place to build strength leading into a new and promising cycling season. However, it has been known to change and in some cases, irreparably disfigure, members of the cycling community. Be smart and more importantly, be aware of your upper body muscles. Don't be that guy that bike races with big arms. Nobody likes that guy.
That's it. Check in next week for tips on how to spend the holidays with family. Included are excuses so you can ride, how to "ride" with family, and surviving new cycling roads.
By the way...
I have no idea.
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