The Hotness.

And I don't mean in a good way.  Rob and I set out to meet Barry on our way to Pilot Mtn. this evening.  With temps in the 90s and the humidity creeping up into the "I didn't know I could even sweat this much" category, it was going to be a good one.

Rob and I whistled out to Donnaha Rd. and shortly found Barry chilling out under a shade tree's loving shelter.  Climbing up Donnaha, we each looked at the others thinking "what are we doing, it's way too hot for this."

Despite the beckoning of reason, we pushed on.  Up Spainhour Mill and Perch Rds, finally cresting at Pinnacle and taking a good look at our nemesis.

We made our way up the beast slowly but surely, with Rob making quick work of Barry and me.  After a requisite stop at the Ranger station for some cold water, we soldiered back south.  I was thinking we had a bit of headwind on the way out, and was looking forward to a little push on the way home.  More likely, however, is that the air was so thick and still that it actually takes a bit more work to push through its lushness than on our beloved crisp October days.

Barry peeled off at Donnaha to get home, so I was left to deal with Rob and his 4 quadzillion mitochondrial pulls.  All ended well as even the Rob was glad to see our last stopsign. 

All of this, of course, is to get us ready for the Hurt, Pain, & Agony ride coming up in just over a week.  60-some miles in the hills around Stone Mtn will certainly be a good challenge, so we figured a little practice was in order. 

Oh, and that subject line above?  The hotness?  Well, here you go (hide the women and children).

Twenty Eleven.

After a few months of deliberation, lengthy discussions with Coach, and an arduous pilgrimage through the process of replacing shifter cables, I have decided to head back to Cambridge, NY in April 2011.   Some would say this 'decision' is even more exciting that LeBron's 30-minute ego stroke last night...and I would agree.

I have to admit, just the thought of lining up again is enough to send the heart racing, to get that tingle in your legs, and to dream big about next time.

For now, I'll enjoy the summer rides and do a race here and there.  All in all, driving slowly but surely toward the goal of placing well in the 2011 Tour of the Battenkill.  The question really is:  Who's with me?

Hanging Rock

My buddy Cisco and I hit a hard ride to the mtns and back this morning.  Painful as it is to remember, I blogged about it anyway over on the CLM blogspot.  Check it out and feel good about your current fitness!

http://cityloopmafia.blogspot.com/2010/06/from-our-driveways-to-hanging-rock-and.html

Roan Mtn Road Race

Bib:  419
Category:  4
Time:  1:53:00.000
Place:  12
Racing Age: 33
Name:  Grant, Erich
Team:  Unattached
Hometown:  Winston Salem NC

Unattached? Unattached??  I specifically put CLM on the sign-up forms and the release.  Wow.  Somebody better check their brake lines.

The weather, and being under it.

A holiday weekend.  Lovely weather.  Roads begging to be ridden.  A shortage of Pepto Bismol.

The High Point City Crits made their inaugural run in, uh, High Point this weekend.  Coach and I helped out by providing a First Aid station to the unfortunate racers who decided to dance a little too closely with the asphalt.  Really, Coach did 99% of it and I just sat around watching or making sure the beer garden was fully operational. 

Unfortunately, I woke up Saturday morning with a very nauseous stomach and that 'feeling' you get when a virus is coming on:  achy muscles, headache, a chill here and there.  I decided to send Coach on to HP without me, planning to join her later.  This was hard to do, as there was quite a bit of set-up to be done:  a tent, table, chairs, and bags of medical supplies.  But, my body demanded some rest and after half a Phenergan, I drifted off...

Around 4pm I got the call that Amy and Bus were heading down to the race, so I summoned my consciousness and rose from the bed.  Riding down to HP was a blur, and I really didn't feel so good upon arrival.  I tried to sit still, walk around, sit again, but the nausea just came in waves.  It was one of those situations where one wishes IT would just happen, then all would be well. 

I almost got my chance at IT, as a wave of nausea greater than all those previous arrived at my esophagus.  I am fairly sure this followed Mitch's comment about 'waffles' as I was ok 'till then.   Like a wounded beast, I decided to wander off in hopes of finding a gentle creek by which I could simply fall over and die.  Relief was not to be mine, as the semi-heaves left all poisons within.  I did a few laps of the crit course on foot with skin a lighter shade of green. 

Soon after, chills began in earnest.  By the time we packed up the truck and got on the road to W-S, I was trying to run the heat, while Coach was rolling down her window.  Uh oh.  At home, we confirmed my fever:  101.2F.  It was going to be a long night. 

Today, I feel 50% better and have actually eaten a bit.  By my count, I've managed around 1200 calories in two days, with at least 900 of those calories today.  I'm glad to be feeling better, but this is worrisome for racing next weekend as it takes me a bit to store up carbs for a race.  Not to mention that I haven't ridden since last Wednesday.

What will happen?  Not sure, but as of now I plan to pin the number on next Saturday and stomp it.

Jomeokee calls.

Jomeokee is the ancient Native American name for Pilot Mountain.  It means "great guide" or with a little imagination "pilot."  Barry and I, blessed with jobs that occasionally offer an early afternoon escape, met at his house for a quick jaunt to the Great Guide and back. 

As he says in his blog, we felt like the south ends of northbound bulls on the way out.  Finally, after starting up Pilot, we felt a bit better.  I was reminded at times of my winter training rides for the Battenkill.  We had a steady wind out of the north today, so it hounded us most of the way out while providing a bit of help on the way home.  Always good to know which way mutha nature is aiming her favor when on the bike.

After cresting the climb, we enojyed a terrific view of the NC piedmont.  Stellar, really.  A shame that we had to go, but we still had to get home - which is always interesting after a climb up the Great Guide.

It wasn't as bad as we thought, and the wind was favorable.  Arriving back at his house, we agreed that a Wednesday night ride that takes in Pilot Mtn. is a good ride, no matter how we felt.

Next up:  I'm heading down to High Point to work the medical tent for the crits this weekend. Come on down and race a sweet course if you need a crit fix!

A few photos:

heading to the state park.  my nemesis in the background.

sweaty.  not sexy but it's part of the game.

out of the saddle and in my granny gear.  oh well!

Misty Mountains

A few pics from today's EXCELLENT ride in the Blue Ridge Mtns.  Sirena, Lori, Chancey, Barry and I did an out-and-back from Cumberland Knob to Doughton Park and back.  About 46 miles and good hills.  The low clouds, fog and rain really made the ride feel intimate.  This also helped keep the cars away and often times we were to be found 2 and 3 abreast with no cars for many minutes. 

Climbing to Doughton Park

Trying to get some rhythm going

Barry, focused.

We can't wait to do this again.  Perhaps a ride from Boone to Asheville later in the summer?  Gotta get my hill climbin' legs back...