Lasts...

After what has seemed like a very long spring, our departure is fast approaching. For a long time, the fact that we were leaving didn't seem "real." Things are now becoming very real as we realize that we are doing many things for the last time. Our last trip to Merck Forest, our last trip to Equinox Pond, our last meal at Christo's, last time to see so and so...

For those of you that know me well, you know that I love to ride and race my bike. So, this last weekend I completed my last bike race in the area. It just so happened to be the race that I completed as my first bike race in 2005. I guess it is a fitting end to my racing career. It was a tough course. It consisted of a 21 mile circuit with about 1650 feet of climbing per lap for a grand total of nearly 5000 feet of climbing. It was even harder because most of the climbs were shorter and the little Cat 3 climbers just flew up them. Oh yeah, it just so happened to be in the mid 90's with really high humidity. It was not a pleasant experience. In an act of self-preservation I sat up after chasing the field for a while and just strolled around the last circuit. I should have probably just quit but couldn't, seeing as how it was my last race and all. I felt good that I had finished but destroyed myself in the process. Now, two days later I feel like I am still recovering.

I plan to ride my bike a lot this summer but may have completed my last road race for a while.