Aug 14 - plodding along

In most athletic activities you're supposed to plan to "peak" when it's time for the main event. Is PBP my main event for 2011 ? If so, I don't feel like I'm heading for a peak. I'm out there plodding on my regular rides. Did I peak for TOT ? Shenandoah ? Texas ? ... no, it seems more like a long dragged out affair.

Of course riding on 522 has a lot to do with this feeling. The rough road and the east headwind combining to give that sense of plodding as I headed home yesterday. The bike felt good though, unencumbered by lights and rack and heavy front wheel. I wish that I could ride PBP with that setup but alas I'll need lights and generator front wheel for night riding and I'll certainly need the rack and pack !

I know that I'll feel differently during the ride. Whether that's good differently or bad differently will largely depend on the weather and the normal ups and downs. Truth be told, however, I'm mostly looking forward to AFTER the ride, taking a couple of weeks off and traveling.

The weekend after we come home I've got a 200k to do on Saturday, required to maintain my R12, and the next day is the annual general meeting of Randonneurs Ontario, which I've not been able to attend before ... but that's a month from now and a whole lot will happen in between.

I did ride yesterday, as you can tell. It was a long-sleeved jersey day to start but by the end, as the sun came out, I'd have shed that jersey had I had a pack to store it in. See -- I needed that rack and pack !

Before my ride I did some garage cleanup, burned some cardboard and that old particle board cabinet. I also used the shop vac to do some cleaning on the bench and dirt in the drawers. I need to do some more purging in the garage but that can wait for another day.

Have I done anymore packing ? No. Should I be doing some more packing ? Yes ! I'm actually toying with the idea of not packing my bike until we get to Sheryl's, which would allow me to ride it from Cazaville (Carol's) to Hemmingford. It's only a 70km ride, flat, mostly west to east, so with the prevailing wind it would be an easy sail. An easy sail would be a good feeling.

Jason, Lorraine, Kim and Mike came over (with Noodles and Chilli of course) and we sat around outside until it was getting dark. Since it's now mid August, that's earlier than a month ago ! Sandy did her chicken and veggies in a Tikki Massala sauce with rice, which was great as usual. Tonight ... our last supper here for a while ... who knows. Mike heads back to Guelph today, having avoided the Sunday heavy traffic.

Sandy went into town while I was riding and met my Uncle and Aunt at the General Store. Apparently they stood around and chatted for a long while ... since this is the only time that Sandy has seen them this year. Heck, I've only seen them twice.

Perhaps I'll check the weather forecast for Paris ... do I really want to know ? Rats ... the rain has disappeared from the forecast ... that means that it might reappear before I get there ! I'm kidding of course and crossing my fingers that it stays this way. Lows are in the mid-50's and highs are in the mid 60's. I'd prefer 10 degrees warmer but I'll take that !

The sun has just hit the trees out front and the railings on the deck. It's supposed to be a great day. I'll probably go for another ride ...

Onward !