The bags are packed and we’re ready to roll….

After a week stay in Asheville we are about to continue the road trip South to warmer weather (hopefully!).  I think I got my cycling in, about 13 hours since we started last Tuesday.  Combine that with 5 hours of running and 4 days in the pool, that’s a good week in my books!

I can already notice a difference in my cycling power.  Although small, the gears seem to turn a little easier since the first day.  I noticed a difference yesterday when I soloed a mountain climb up the same route we took the first day here.  It was cold (-20 with wind chill) but still sunny so I braved it alone.  Chris didn’t have the gear which is necessity in cold weather training. 

Anywho, up I climbed and wow it was cold!  It crossed my mind that I maybe the only one dumb enough to cycle but on the lower slopes an older gentleman (65-70ish) was out.  He yelled out as I past, "So I’m not the only crazy one!".  No, you most certainly are not.

The climb kept me warm as I powered up the steep sections.  Coming down though was a different story…  After falling on a slippery patch (don’t worry it was near the top of a section where I was going very slow!), I had to do a U-turn and go back the way I came.  Orginally I wanted to try a loop but today the road was covered in snow.

Descending was soooooooo cold!  I compare it to Fredericton with its rediculous winds.  It eats into your skin.  Toes, fingies…  just freeze!  But I love it!  I just love to get out there and pedal.  I know a lot of you would rather be in my spot so I’ll take the cold!

Today was another cooler day.  Not as bad as yesterday; about -7.  We decided to go and pedal up near the Arboretum where we had run a couple days before.  The Blue Ridge Parkway, where we rode, was closed to traffic.   

We rode up for about 10K till we hit a snow barrier.  We got up to 3800 ft with the grade of the road about 4-5%.  Cool thing was we passed through 5 tunnels.  Some were long enough that it was completely blacked out.  You just pedaled, trying to keep the bike straight and not hit the walls!  Or even worse into each other! 

The ride ended up being about 2.5hrs which is a great way to cap off the week!  Tomorrow, we are heading to Savannah and then to Bruswick for the night.  This week we should start seeing the temperatures into the teens.  Can’t wait!  I get to ride with the BTC jersey!

I’m off to do a final clean of the room!  Thanks for reading  Happy (Please Weather!!!) Trainin!

Cliff