I have been working really hard this off-season. 2 days/week of core exercises and sprints on the bike on a trainer. 2 days/week of low cadence "hill climbs" (on a trainer), one day/week of HIIT, and one day/week of a long computrainer ride. So 6 days per week of riding/working out in the basement of the bike shop. . . . my non-cycling friends thing I am absolutely insane. They will never understand.

In addition, thanks to a week-long trip to warmer weather, I have almost more than 500 road miles since the new year. This morning a couple of friends and I paid a visit to the chicago lakefront path. It is the usual early spring morning training ground, and was the first time we rode it this year. Thanks to all the work I have done in the basement of the shop, most of my outdoor rides have been great, and today was no exception. I am feeling very strong out there, probably even better than I was at my peak last season, and night and day compared to where I was last spring.

I am getting more and more excited about the cycling season, and fully expect it to be a great one!!!!!