If now were two years ago, I would be losing my mind. My season would be shot. I’d be a bit depressed. I’d be beating myself up. I would be whining. A lot.
But these days things are different. After taking a new job that limits my riding, and injuring my back (again) a couple of weeks ago, I’m still in good spirits. My weight is up a little. My muscle mass is down a little. None of that matters.
I’m realizing that nothing is the end of the world. Fitness comes back. Injuries heal. Races come and go. “There’s always next year.” And the year after that, etc.
Right now I’m focussing on having fun. In a few hours I’ll be headed up to Big M for the Lumberjack 100. Not to race, but to spectate and (hopefully) patrol, if my back feels up to it. I’m just as excited as I would be to race.
I’m spending time getting my lovely girlfriend into cycling. She’s an animal. I see lots of long bike rides in our wonderful future.
I’m building bikes. A lot of bikes. Bikes for me and bikes for friends. I’m considering taking that a bit further and doing some business with it for a little bit of money.
I’m taking the time I’ve recently said I wanted to slow down and enjoy the scenery while I pedal. Mostly because I have to, but I’m OK with that. I asked for it and it was given to me, albeit in a way I didn’t expect.
All of this stems from the fact that all we have is right now. I don’t know what my cycling future will bring, and I don’t need to know. I have plans and desires and I will get to them all when the time is right. For now I’m just surrendering to the flow.
My revised plans for this season:
- Cross-dressing at the Tree Farm Relay
- Cyclocross!
- Maybe an off-road hundo at the 12hrs of Addison in October
- A decent Iceman time
- Build as many bikes as possible