I have been spending most of the winter off of the bike and in the gym. Working on the treadmill and some core workouts. The last 3 weeks I have just been resting. Getting strong for spring. Im getting older but I can still go as hard as I did in "07 (Yea right ) but only for 7 or 8 months. Not all year like before. At the end of last year I realized this. If you are stronger than your competitors you can win by riding easily while they drop all around you. Ha Ha. I know at least for me that's not happening anymore. This time of year just getting back on the bike I forget how much the first 20 rides can hurt. I feel stiff. I thought of writing about this topic half way through a early season roll around the Betzwood forest. I no longer race but every year about this time the preparation for the spring MASS racing series to begin gets me pumped . http://www.masuperseries.com/
There are hundreds of little things to learn about racing like tactics, nutrition, equipment, training and attitude that all need to be developed over time to become stronger than your competitors ( or friends ). I have learned that you need to be willing to dig down deep if you want to try to beat the others.The trick you must learn is how to "suffer through it" and be stronger than they are. I have many times beaten stronger riders because I suffered harder than they did ( or they missed a gear and I coasted by ). If you want to perform on the bike you need to prepare at least 48 hours ahead. Hydrate, Sleep, Carb Load and don't train too hard the night before. We all know that stuff. But there are no directions on how to suffer harder than the others.To me loosing is simply a lesson learned tought by others that have suffered harder than you! right?
