Dan Action

The other side of Winter… January 10, 2008

…Is exactly where I feel like I am. To attest to this, the weather factory of this peninsula is showing me again what riding in eighty degree weather is like. Last week I began training again in earnest. I’ve been getting out for consecutive 60 mile rides coupled with some intervals or running stairs at the UF stadium for good measure. The sharply increased workload on the bike together with an increase in my employment hours has me at a low point tonight.

I am pulling myself together for the two ‘cross races here in Largo and the Downtown crit here in Gainesville. I truly feel like I am out on a limb as far as training goes. I really want to not only race these races, but go there to win. Every part of my internal coach says I should be focusing on base miles now or in the gym, but the internal enthusiastic racer in me is giddy and at the moment shunning the coach. It’s no secret to my peers that I am focusing whatever talent I have on cyclocross. I will make my appearances on the road, but all things racing tailor towards Fall.

This winter here in Florida will be the last of my extended stays down here for the foreseeable future. Finacially and emotionally, it has become a burden. While I am very understatedly content to be here now and hold down a job or two, train, and get deeper involved with Nathalie, A firmer ground has to be sought.

Here I will announce my intentions on moving to Philadelphia in May of 2008. There, it’s in writing now. I suppose I should start figuring out the logistics, huh? Should, one forbids, all attempts fall through, my back-up plan is a move to the city of Boston. The idea of a move to Boston after growing up in a satellite city of it, thus spending much time there, admittedly, i feel a bit non-plussed about. But hey, I have a wonderful ob there (Bikes Not Bombs), many a wonderful friend, and the racing/ riding scene is one that I’m incredibly familiar with.

In regards to the USAC’s ideas to move back Nationals past Ney Year’s, I am not for it. I await covincing arguments for the change that, as we all know, are yet to come in the flood of debate. A longer season means racer burn-out, promoter burn-out, and travel hardships for those racing in Europe readying themselves for worlds. I feel like the short and concentrated season in conducive to the fans who’s attention may be short and not prepared to follow an elongated season. Let the scene and sport of ‘cross in the U.S. grow until there is a need for the increased season length. ‘Cross is by nature a euro-centric discipline within the Euro-centric sport of cycling.