Easter

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 1:28-30


Easter is another of those holidays that brings up so many different emotions in different people.  

For me, I remember the excitement of an Easter basket, and the dread of going to another boring church service.  At this point in life, there is a sense of emptiness.   

Easter for me, symbolizes a time of renewal,   a time to start over.  Not just today, but everyday.  I have the freedom to celebrate, and I don't have to celebrate exactly like the modern church dictates that I should.  

 The road before us is wide open.  We can continue doing the things the way we always have, or we can make changes.  The changes don't have to be huge,  just slight, incremental changes.  A little here and there.  In the grand scheme of things, the results will be huge.

More Sunshine

 The gravel road climb up out of N Mills River to Bent Creek Gap is a good one.

 I'm getting tired of the beard,  probably gonna shave when the temps heat up.

 Mtn Laurel tunnels for days!

Stage Race (ride) training is full effect.  I did not do any intervals and did not attempt to go fast.  Just working on endurance and keeping good form.

Sunshine

 I got out of the mountains and into the Piedmont for a ride around Croft.   Temps were still a bit chilly but there was sunshine.  I looped all the loops and dropped the drops, except for a couple that were huge!  

 It was a fun place to ride,  somewhat flat with lots of grunt climbs and some tech mixed in.  And enough variation in terrain to keep it interesting. 

 I'd choose this over FATS

 One of the smaller drops

Pisgah Stage Race is looming, 2 weeks out.  I'm burned out trying to ride through the winter.  Always happens this time of year when training for this race.  I haven't done any other races either.  I always try to mix some in, it helps with motivation and helps dial in progress.  Not this year.  Just been riding a bunch and trying to have fun with it. 

It has been mostly fun,  just gets old wondering if I'm hypothermic or not!   I'm doing my best not to complain though. Jean has been training INSIDE all winter.  I'm sure there are others too.  That determination is inspirational.

Bring on the sun!

I don't like riding bikes.....

..... all the time.

 There,  I said it.  Out loud.  For the world to hear.  I think its something that I have been struggling with for a long time.  The bike industry tells us to ride more, ride everyday, riding is life, anything else is boring. 

For a couple of years, I was on a training regimen.  I wanted to see what my body and mind were capable of.  I got stronger and stood on the podium a couple of times.  It was good. I worked hard and earned those spots and I'm proud of those trophies. 

But, now what?  I love to ride, no doubt about that.  But I also love to trail run, hike, windsurf, sail and believe it or not, I love to do projects around the house!  I also love bike packing and long distance/endurance rides. 

 So, that's what I'm gonna do.  All of the above.  I'll have to figure out a balance though, knowing that consistency is key in the cycling world.  I'll have to figure out how to keep up the miles and keep the steam in my endurance legs while at the same time enjoying all of the things I enjoy. 

 Yesterday, when the snow was falling and the wind was whipping, I got my mtn bike tuned up.  Replaced rotors and break pads,  cleaned and lubed the rear I-9 hub.  Then I went for a hike/run.  It was a blast, and I didn't feel guilty that I was not on my bike!  I had a great time, and didn't freeze my butt off like I would have if I were on my bike! 

Here's to a new chapter in the life of an appalachian lumberviking!

 

And next time the wind blows ( and it is 60 degrees or warmer, I'm going windsurfing)

No Ocracoke

We tried, begged, bartered, begged some more, asked around.  It looks like we won't be able to re-work our work schedules to get out of town for a family beach vacation.  

Ocracoke is the closest thing to island life in the Caribbean that I have found since moving back. In the couple of times that we have visited, I quickly grew attached to the laid back, simple lifestyle.   It has become a highlight of my year. 

But not this year.  It seems more and more, this life is less about me, and more about those around me. I'm not complaining, it just not always easy to look out for the ones I have chosen to provide for in this life. 

I'm going to hold on to hope though.  One thing I have learned in this life is that there is always hope.  Things don't always turn out how we want them to, but hope is there. 

I'm looking forward to seeing what this spring and summer holds for me.    And I'm definitely going to figure out how to get out on the water!

Cheers to hope!

Fading Hope

Fading hope.   Man, I'm so bummed right now. 

We saved all year, booked our vacation house,  set out plans, and then it snowed.  A lot.  End of school year ate into the beginning of summer vacation.   That's ok,  the kid doesn't mind missing the last days of school.  Nothing happens after EOG's anyway. 

But guess when 8th grade graduation is? 

Last day of school.  Right in the middle of our planned vacation. 

So bummed.  

Now it is a waiting game to see what they do with the most recent day missed.  And then wait some more to see when they schedule the actual EOG's.  I asked, they said, sometime in the last 10 days of school.  But they don't know when school ends. 

But, I also just found out, that if you want to pick your kid up at 9:45am to go to a protest, the absence would be excused?  Hmm,  why not consider missed snow days excused?   Because that's the way it is. 

Bummer.

Still Winter