Sponsored by the letter "R"

Todays blog is being brought to you by the letter "R." Why "R" you ask? Well here is why....rocks, rough roads, and rain. Todays ride was my last long effort before 12 Hr Nationals next weekend in Duluth, MN. There were about 4 of us riding. We decided to do a gravel grinder (see Webster's Dict. defenition below) down south to Tama/Toledo (about 40-45 miles one-way). There was a 10 mph headwind. The guys I was riding with just wanted an easy ride, so I stayed up front and pulled them all the way. 2 of the guys had to be back early, so they turned around about 20 miles into the ride. Myself and the other guy kept riding. This is a good ride do to the amount of climbing and the roughness of the road. Plus, the rocks were really loose, so we were having a hard time controling the bikes.

GRAVEL GRINDER: (v.) An Iowan's substitute to fireroads, mountains, singletrack, and downhilling

We made it as far south as we were going to go, then turned a round. Behind us was what would soon be the "Great 40 Mile Down Pour" We started headding north, and the skies kept getting darker and darker. In a matter of 15 minutes after turning around, it began to pour. If you want to know what the riding was like, put on your cycling clothes, hop in the shower, and turn on the cold water on high. Then get a buddy to start throwing sand in your face. All I can say is "Good Times!!!!"

This continued all the freaking way to Waterloo. It finally let up once we were about 2 miles from home. Oh well, It was probably a sign of the conditions to come at either National's or World's. Either way, if it is I will be ready now.

Hope everyone else had a dry and painless ride today. Time to sit down to a nice big plate of whole wheat pasta. YUMMMM!

Keep an eye to www.Velonews.com. Today was UCI Marathon Worlds in Austria. Should be a good read!

Oh, by the way, todays ride was 5.5 hours for those of you keeping track

Rage On!!

Jeff Kerkove said at 12:09 PM :: ::