Defection

Wow. We're not even to July 1 yet, and 'cross is in the air. Jim's pimping out himself and his bikes (and counting down!), Ben's buying plane tickets, Kevin is trading in his fat tires, Goat is only using flat bars for a couple of weeks (and for a very specific reason), and even Mike is doing running workouts. We're just inside 3 months away from the first race, and it seems that everyone is looking ahead ...

... Except me. I have to admit, I'm not feeling it this year. When I set my sights on 2008, I had just two goals: 24-9 and Montrose. As I've gotten deeper and deeper into the endurance training, though, my view of Montrose has become fuzzier and fuzzier -- I've come to realize that my relationship with 'cross is kind of like a hot-n-heavy, flirtatious fling that simultaneously sizzles and burns; my relationship with endurance racing has become more mature and satisfying in a way that makes me feel good about myself and my riding.

This isn't to say Montrose is off the table. Sure, there's a certain due date to worry about, but that coveted championship jersey is hanging out there, taunting me and my cycling goals. Oh, to win a state championship ...

What it does mean, though, is that September and October aren't what I thought they'd be when 2008 began. Instead, I'm re-thinking my schedule to include rendezvous at Shenandoah, Palos, maybe Vegas, Muir, and either Moab or Sheboygan. If all of that comes together, it will delay my 'cross season until early November at the earliest, and may mean just 3-4 short weeks of barriers and mud. Strangely, despite my early-year planning, I find myself very OK with that, and am looking forward to extending the mountain bike season so deep.

That said, all of this may change again. We're just 5 short weeks away from the big one, and to be honest right now nothing exists beyond 11 a.m. or so on August 3. The focus is so total that I can't even answer basic questions about plans for traveling home from Wausau, let alone where I'll be racing in September. In the meantime, the knobbies are calling, and I hear Levis Trow is a pretty awesome place to ride ...

Another addition to the family: Welcome to Michael Hemme on the blog roll to the right. Mike's a standup guy, World Bicycle Relief volunteer, and killer on the x-c course ...