Motorpacing......a hay trailer?

I've been getting some good riding in recently. About 10 hours over the past 4 days (in 3 rides). Yesterday was 4 hours and was really good....a little cool when I headed out at 8am but manageable until it warmed up a little bit. The wind was biting but for some reason it really wasn't bothering me too much for the whole ride. This was my climbing route....basically incorporating everything long climb I know of. Makes for a slower ride but hopefully will improve my climbing in the long run. Finished it up feeling pretty good.

Went out again today planning for about 2.5 hours. A little colder than yesterday and a lot more windy. Unlike yesterday where the headwind began the ride (which is what I like), I had the tailwind at the beginning. Once I started working my way back home I realized how strong the wind really was. Luckily just then a tractor pulling a huge trailer full of hay went past me. He was moving at a good pace so I decided to try and hang on. After all it provided great wind protection. It turned out to be a pretty good workout.....I followed him for about 40 mins and got a good work out. Down hills I was braking but on the flats I was getting a good consistent pace....a little faster than I would normally go. Once he turned away I got hammered with the wind and dragged myself home for the remaining 20 minutes....I sure was going slow.

Only about a month to go until the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo.....still trying to decide which bike to take. I'd like to take the rigid Niner as the course is about as perfect as you'll get for this type of bike. But I'm wondering if I'll appreciate the comfort of the full suspension....my back is still getting a little stiff and sore these days.

Steve

In an attempt to beat some of the rainy weather that was supposed to hit this afternoon I got on my way around 8:30am for what I hoped to be a 3-4 hour ride. Things were going smoothly....feeling pretty good. Roads were clear of snow with only the occasional spot of snow/ice near the shoulder. As I got further north those spots became a little more frequent. It eventually got to the point where I was riding more on snow than pavement. Now normally I wouldn't mind that at all but the problem is there was rutted ice patches beneath the snow. The roads I take are not too busy but when they did come along I had to get even further into the deeper sections of snow and control started to become and issue. Needless to say I eventually turned it around and headed back. On the way back I was pummelled with ice pellets which wasn't too much fun. But I still got 2.5 hours in which isn't too bad and I felt pretty good the whole ride. I just want to get mileage going....not too worried about structure....that will come after Old Pueblo.

Today I registered for the lottery to get into the Iceman Cometh which happens in November in Michigan. I've read about the race many time on-line and lots of big names come out to race. It is a typical MTB race of about 40KM, not enduro, but it is on November 7 so the weather is always up in the air. But it looks fun. The wife and kids are entered in the Slush Cup (a shorter distance) so it is going to be a family full of racing (I hope). Now I have to see if we get in.

Not too much riding happening these days, but hopefully on the weekend and next week with the thaw. I laid out my training plan which starts in earnest on March 1st and takes me all the way to Summer Solstice. It is pretty aggressive with a mix of of a bunch of different ideas I have gathered from learning about what other people do. We'll find out if it works in late June.

Steve