This is my third year in the Ride, so I largely know what I'm in for. I started indoor training early, doing cross-training and riding on rollers in anticipation of moving outside in late March.
March came in like a lion and out... well... like a lion. It was either raining or quite cold most of the month. April arrived with more rain and more cold. Nice days have been horribly few and far between.
Tomorrow will be April 15th, and the forecast for the weekend is a steady supply of more rain and more cold. Frankly, I'm tired of cross training and I'm tired of riding on rollers, but the spring of 2011 in Toronto has been decidedly uncooperative.
I hope that at least the weather on the Ride is decent this time. It took me three days to dry out after last year.
It's my first time riding, so I have no clue what I'm in for, but I'm still going out in the rain and cold. I figure if I train in the miserable weather, then I'll at least be prepared for that. I also have a training buddy whom doesn't pull his weight - I do! He's my 3 year old son in his bike trailer!
This weekend last year I was already doing 100 km weekend rides, this year i could hardly make it up a hill on Friday I used to use for hill repeats. 55 days left which really means 48 days with proper rest and recovery before the ride. This year will be a real challenge.
Don't be discouraged. You know from having experienced the ride, that anyone who wants to, will finish. Not as much training just means that you ride at a lighter pace. We aren't racing, just enjoying the fact that we are doing something amazing in the fight against cancer. If you feel that you can't finish, just contact me, and I'll come and tow you to the finish line. It's all about fighting cancer, and just being involved means you've done more than most. Good luck!
