Scaping Goats

It's been an odd week. Work was so over the top I didn't have time to realize how quickly the week was passing by, a friend made the selfish decision to end his life, and despite it all it worked out that I could spend night out under the stars with friends I rarely get to see anymore. Keeping up with all the events needing/requiring/wanting support and staying on top of all the items needed to support those events has left me unable to adequately maintain my own calendar of events (aka life). It's been a rough balance, but one that I'm getting better coordinating. Although emails, text messages, and phone calls are embarrassingly backed up. Sorry about that. Input overload.

I had a point but I lost it. Thoughts have been buzzing around in my noggin like a stirred up hornets nest. I was going to talk about the lack of mountain bike racing and riding as of late, but it doesn't seem to matter. And only because I've caught some shit over it. The facts are work's crazy schedule of outside event support, lack of days off due to the events, and lack of bank account funds have kept me close to home. That's not a complaint, just how the dice is rolling this round. It'll ease up soon. It's also been kind of refreshing not doing the same old events, though I'm itching to get out and ride in the mountains. Perhaps fall will open that window of opportunity for me. I miss my mountain bike. That's a good feeling to have. Though I'll have to shake this "I want to travel but I don't want to have to leave the farm"-itis that's kept me holed up.

Typically I have a few big events looming overhead that keep me motivated to get into some shape other than "out of". Cedarcross back in early Spring kept me going through the winter but I've since had a void needing filled. I had hoped for a trip back to Steamboat followed by a chance at Breck Epic, but quickly realized it wasn't to be in the cards this hand. After such a long week and not having any event hanging over my head, I found it extremely hard to get motivated to get out of the house today. I really hate wasting my days off and by noon I felt I was on track to pretty much piss the hole day away. Determined not to let that happen but battling with myself to just laze about the house, I forced myself outside.

Once outside the cool breeze and low humidity slapped me in the face. Dammit! I can't believe I've been wasting weather like this by staying inside. I quickly got to work to get the barn chores done, trimmed some trees and the fire lane roads, then suited up for a ride. Still lacking motivation, it took me about 40 minutes to decide to actually head out off the farm for a ride. A quick glance at a map and a small desire for something new, I headed out hoping that once I got to pedaling my melancholy would wane.

By the third turn into the ride it had. Some of the new roads I'd been wanting to explore turned out to be better than I had initially expected. Good climbs, narrow one-lane twisty downhills, and gravel. The blue sky with puffy white clouds offered a stunning backdrop for the rolling farmlands. The further I ventured, the faster I turned the pedals anxious to see what the next road had in store. My cross bike has been an emotional blessing. It fits with what life has available for me at this point in time. It's capable of everything I need it to do and it inspires me to find new adventures.

Upon returning to the farm, I finished up with 6 miles of trail with the dogs. The cooler temps have allowed them more run time. They've been loving it. It's helped keep me sane too. Good stress relief. Plus the more time on singletrack with skinny tires and drop bars, the better I'll feel charging off the start line this coming cross season.