OF TRAINING AND OTHER MYSTERIES
by Steve Strain, Club President 1996-1999
March 1998
The days are beginning to get longer. On the occasions when it is not raining it has
been warm enough (almost) to get out on the road. spring is a vision that is slowly coming
into focus and one can sense that soon we will have light and warmth and will be able to
ride and let the sunset chase us home.
Winter training is a myth perpetrated by people who go to more temperate climates and
ride. Or those whose profession is riding and thus can get on the bike and tell their
significant other that they are going to work. For those of us unwilling to subject
themselves to the torture of the stationary trainer this time on the year teases us with
sunshine and tortures us with rainy weekends.
I love to read the training articles that talk about the Monday ride at moderate
intensity and picking up the pace on Wednesday's ride of two hours. Having made a
concerted effort to try and maintain fitness this winter, I can say that the schedules are
nearly impossible for one with a job and a wife to comply with. Even our own Directeur
Sportif, Colorado Bill, told me it has been difficult to follow the Eddie B. (a famous
coach) regimen this winter.
And putting the Waterford on a stand and pedaling in the basement is a form of self
inflicted pain that I cannot endure. I love to ride' not pedal in my basement with the
soaps on. So I continue to convince my bride that it's gorgeous out and I have to get some
miles in on the weekend. She almost understands that.
I also told her that Mike Hartline bought another frame. He and Oakey are the poster
children for having multiple road frames. Mike bought a frame at Owens that I had coveted
after buying the Waterford. (Not that I am unhappy with the Waterford). Miss Karen, who
barely understands why one would have both a road and a mountain bike made it abundantly
clear that she would not be happy if I can home with another road bike. Why would you need
another bike was her question.
Trying to explain that it is a different type of frame and ride and all that sort of
thing is a waste of time. There are things that the bride simply will not see and there is
no sense is wasting whatever good graces I may have in trying to explain that different
bikes have different characteristics. I think she knows the real reason in spite of all my
rationalizing. I just love bikes and would have a dozen if she would let me. Boys and
toys.
She also asked if I would rather be single like Mike and John and thus be able to buy
more bikes without having to explain it the wife. The answer, as every husband knows, is
of course not dear. But isn't the color on this new Litespeed something.
In other news the Fat Tire Festival is taking shape thanks to the good work of Bill
Rogers and other members of our club. The Three State is also coming along nicely. Both of
these events are fundraisers. The Fat Tire Fest will benefit the trail efforts at the
Ocoee and the Three State will once again raise money for Room In The Inn.
We ride for a lot of reasons. For health and fitness and the love of the sport. We also
have the opportunity to do what we love and benefit others. What more could we ask of our
sport.
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