I set out this morning with one goal in mind, to determine whether or not it was realistic to start
TI. Unfortunately, the jury is still out.
Having not ridden in two weeks and having some coughing spells fit for Val Kilmer in Tombstone, I was a bit nervous about how I'd feel. After twenty minutes of light coughing and even lighter riding, I hit some gravel north of town and promptly had a couple of mutts nipping at my heels on an slight uphill. After outstretching the pups I expected a hacking spell, but found I was fine to keep cranking on up the hill. Strangely, after I topped out and was soft-pedalling down the other side, the cough kicked in and, after reaching a level which included gagging, finally calmed down as I started up a slight rise again. WTF?
Shortly after, my attention turned to my left pedal, which was clicking loudly combined with the fact it felt like I had a cleat loose. Add in that my front tire seemed to be slowly leaking and I was left feeling exasperated and frustrated. Mainly, due to my health. The mechanical stuff was just icing.
I stopped to find a broken pedal (4th pair down) and a tearing sidewall. Just what the doctor ordered. Luckily, I just limped the whole thing home. Unluckily, two and a half hours left me feeling like I had gone six. So, of course, I said 'fuck it' and did some yard work. Spring has sprung.
Read the complete post at http://endurosnob.blogspot.com/2008/04/doomstruck-craziness.html