All About Mick's World

March 22, 2015 ~11:00 am Steve and I finally finish the last pull into that bastard 38 degree wind from the east, turning left off of 2200N onto 2450E toward Lexington. It’s early in the season for me and I’m pleased to be matching Steve on this pull. My races and other events are off in my future, but my partner here has already begun a successful racing season. We make the turn and continue about another 100 meters on the front as the pack of 6 regroups. The two of us drift to the rear to rest for a bit as Brad and Vicken pick up the pace, enjoying the wind giving us all a boost. The road makes a slight curve into a downhill as the pace picks up another notch. My eyes open a bit more as I hear one of the front runners call out "Squirrel!" I've encountered the furry critters in the past without a single issue (unless you consider the one that I "de-tailed" on the trail in town one time.) I watch as the varmint skitters past the other riders, and then z

Life is full of ups and downs, happy and sad, peaks and valleys, highs and lows, good and bad. These last few months have exemplified just that. I finished last year on a series of high notes. If you follow this infrequent blog you are aware that I had a banner year in the saddle in 2014 . [Happy!] Of course, being a cyclist, I made it my goal(s) to continue on and improve upon those achievements. But, in one second of late morning on March 22, my cycling year came to a crashing halt, literally and figuratively. A fairly serious injury would keep me off of my bikes for three months. Okay, I would just have to start from scratch and rebuild my biking self. [Sad.] My first day back was a humbling experience. I don't remember ever feeling so incapable on two wheels before. Immediately after that ride my spirits were brightened by what may have been the most satisfying meal ever (squirrel gumbo.) The following couple of weeks were a struggle, but I saw improvements almost daily. On