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March madness
Someone at the bike shop, I forget who, said recently, "It's only news when Patrick doesn't go for a ride!" How true. And, per usual, not many cycling days were missed during the third month of the year.
I ended up going for a spin on 25 of 31 days in March, utilizing both my Specialized Crux cyclocross beast and my Schwinn Circuit road machine — but mostly the latter. And my mileage total for the month? The odometer registered 758 miles, which gives me 1,423 miles so far for the 2022 season. For all you European cycling purists, that equals 2,290 kilometers. I was actually 12 days later than last year in achieving the 1,000-mile mark, but a decent start I would have to say.
Yummy!
The weather is getting warmer, as evidenced by the fact that I swallowed my first bug of the season while riding along the Kennebec River the other day. This time of year, I must remember to keep my trap shut. Unless I see the need for some extra protein in my diet.
Fondo forecast
Speaking of weather. The latest forecast for this Sunday's Frost Heave Fondo reveals that it will likely be a damp affair. Rain is the main ingredient for the two days prior to the event in Searsmont, Maine, while for the actual day it keeps bouncing back and forth between cloudy and a 40 percent chance of precipitation. Regardless, I'm betting the roads — dirt, gravel, and a little bit of pavement — are going to be a mess.
I've equipped my Specialized Cruz cyclocross bicycle with 38mm tires, which should be sufficient for handling any conditions. And it will probably be straight to the bike shop following the 30-mile "race" — and after a much-deserved beer or two — to give my two-wheeled carbon steed a thorough cleaning. Yes, my bike is going to get dirty.
'Thought for the day'
"Variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles rather than by the artifice of a derailleur? We are getting soft. ... As for me, give me a fixed gear." — Henri Desgrange, French bicycle racer and first organizer of the Tour de France.
From "Words To Ride By ... Thoughts on Bicycling" by Michael Carabetta (Chronicle Books, 2017)