It's fall and the weather is so nice... I wish it would stay like this for about six months. The leaves are turning and starting to layer the silky single track. I'm a big fan of this time of year, is it the weather, is it the feeling that the winter snows are just around the corner, or is it the dreaded off-season? That's right, the off-season. Is it dreaded or is it welcomed? Burn out, injury, or just plain old tired is looking for a cure and the off-season is exactly what the bartender poured. Taking some time off in the off-season can re-energize the cycling soul. Soul that is stretched, bruised, broken, rashed, and strained during the season.
I actually have a love hate relationship with the off-season. I look forward to the time that I can spend just riding. Riding by myself or with others, but without any pressure for time, distance or intensity. Just ride. For fun. Ok, but I also miss the road racing, the crits, the time trials, and the beers in the hotels after races. I miss yelling at teammates to cover a break, I miss "sitting in gum", I miss team rides that hurt worse than racing. It is a duplicity that is hard to wrap my head around.
Really, this time of year is great, but I am not looking forward to the frozen toes and fingers. The time spent indoors sweating pools under the trainer. The sun setting at 5pm. Getting dizzy and on the verge of nausea at the end of a set of intervals. These are not a few of my favorite things. I vow to enjoy this time before the fridged temps keep me house bound and riding the couch.
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