Wishy washy

So I thought this weekend was going to be a lot of fun. Now I'm wavering with the weather. Last night I hit the road bike for 50 something miles and 3000 feet of climbing in the 75 degree weather. I felt like garbage for the first hour but a couple gels gave me some energy. I was riding with a full commute backpack which was another 20 pounds awkwardly on my back. My goal was to ride at recovery pace but mentally challenge myself without water (initally), food of choice and the heavy load. You might think I'm a moron for doing something like that but there are times in long rides and races when I think it helps. I might drop my Ensure, run out of water or have a rack break. The only way to handle it is to improvise and deal with it. 99% of my rides are done with ideal food, water, and equipment so a ride like this gives me a chance to mentally get used to things not being the way I want them, especially when I'm already tired from racing Wednesday and working all day. Anyway my route was meandering. I rode down south to Golden via Arvada and 82nd street. I passed White Ranch on hwy 93 and then turned up Lookout mountain. I felt relatively good at this point and steadily climbed the hill at an easy pace. I passed a few bikers and a few passed me. The top came in less than half an hour anyway which pleased me considering the extra load and energy level I was willing to put out. At the top I bought a couple muffins and some water. I ate them as I rode home, this time following the most direct route from White Ranch to my house to get an accurate distance (15miles BTW).After the ride I intended to wash up the singlespeed so I could ride tonight with Jim after work at White Ranch. Instead the forcast called for rain and snow(!) so I just relubed the chain and rode into work this morning in the rain. I think it's drying now so perhaps my evening ride is still on although I'm on the fence about riding to the trail per my usual routine. Perhaps I'll wuss out and drive, giving up the chance to "race darkness home like a man". Or perhaps a Viking as Dicky would say.

Saturday is the Deer Trail road race which will be 61 miles of hilly fun. The forcast is calling for "Spring Classic" like conditions according to the race director. The race is a bit far away which I'm a little apprehensive about but I'm sure I'll be fine once I get there. Saturday night we're having a little party at our house with Marni's teacher friends which is always a good time.

Then Sunday morning I've been invited to join the 75+ mile 12,500+ vertical foot Piper's Monster Ride looping together White Ranch, the Fairmount Trail, Chimney Gulch, Apex, Red Rocks, Dakota Ridge, Green Mountain, Mt. Falcon, and Lair o' the Bear. At least the weather is supposed to improve back to the 70's by then. As usual I will be riding to the start from my house so that means a 4:45am leaving time, the only bummer of the ride. It's so early I will have to mount my flasher and perhaps use my Performance points to buy an LED light as I haven't built mine yet. I'm wondering how tired I will be for the ride but my 180 mile weekend a few weeks ago went well so with proper fuel this one should go well too. Here's the course and elevation profile of a good part of Sunday's ride. Now I have to decide to put the Fuel together or take the singlespeed...