wind and time

So yesterday, we had an unusual but welcome fairly wind-free day. Light ESE breezes for the most part. The day before we had 20-25 MPH gusty winds. Just for fun (and since my odometer has been not-working) I've been riding for time. I know the distance of my various routes already. Now I am timing how fast I can ride the distances. (I could do this before---the odometer tracks distance and time---but I only checked out the mileage before).

Anyway, I was more than 15 minutes faster riding the same distance yesterday, minus the wind. That time also included a stop to visit with a friend (Kathy Eveslage) who I rode passed on my way out of town...so it's probably closer to 20 minutes. That is huge. Think about it. Lance won the Tour with a 4 minute, 40 second advantage.

I've decided that riding in these conditions is good for building my "mental" strength---perhaps more than my "mettle" strength. In cycling both attributes are desired. I've never really had to test my "mental" strength much---how hard is it to go ride on a lovely day, along the lovely terrain and roads in Northern California---specifically the SF Bay Area? All right, the climbs might be tough...but that's more mettle, no? Mentally, it's not very challenging.

Riding in the wind is all mental. It's hard work. But I'm not in my smallest gear and struggling up a climb or anything. It's different. In all honesty, if you're fairly fit, mental toughness is way harder. I've always known that that is what I lacked to be competitive. Not that I'm fit for racing now. But I have a greater appreciation for the "sufferfests" that racing a bike entails. And perhaps I'm a bit more mentally fit than I have ever been.

We're in for another heat wave today. And I think the wind is back. Hot and windy. I'm off to go workout my mental and mettle, and then I'm off to work. Have a great day!

Here's what my small hound is doing today...I took her swimming yesterday and so she's kinda beat today!
(Photo's missing)