Beer, Bikes, and Snow

I was just getting a taste for enduro racing when I had my bumthumb incident.  I missed out on the fall 2017 enduro and CX season.  In 2018 and most of 2019, NICA races and life conflicted with racing enduro.  So be it.  But after talking to a friend who's been racing the past two years in both the MASS and ESC series, I decided to enter a race.  While there was an enduro race somewhat local (the ESC Mountain Creek), I opted for the MASS Raven Enduro .  While not exactly close to home, it was closer to my dad - so I made a weekend of it, spending some time with him (BTW he's doing great all things considered). I have never ridden the trails where the Raven was.  I knew some of the trails were in the Transylvania Epic - and there would be plenty of rocks.  Which I love.  I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't know anyone there to pre-ride with but I managed to hook up with a friend who also raced it last year. The course was posted as 6 s...

I realized I hadn’t updated my blog in a very long time. Lots going on - mostly bike related, specifically NICA. We are in our second season of NICA , and Princeton Progressions grew in size. At the start of the season, we hit the athlete limit for a composite team, and were asked to split into two teams. Mike took the role of Head Coach for the new Central NJ Trail Terminators Composite . With Ben traveling for National NICA and BICP , Fred and I stepped up as Head Coaches for Princeton Progressions. We all know here in New Jersey (and much of the east coast), winter was rough. Our weekend rides were either cancelled due to snow, rain, or both. We did get creative with some of the practices, going to the climbing gym and getting our workouts in at spin class. But Mother Nature didn’t let up come spring. Our first race in early April was postponed due to weather and trail conditions. The rescheduled date almost didn’t happen due to rain and frigid temperatures. R...

It's been a few months since I last checked in - I had just been cleared by my hand surgeon and hand therapist.  That was early November.  A few have asked..."how's the thumb"?? It's ok.  I'd say I'm at 85%.  Opening jar lids and bottles is still a challenge.  It's stiff and and stretching my thumb across my palm is still challenging.  I'm not in pain though, which is a plus.  Many have told me it takes at least a year to be fully healed. I've been reading sports motivation books - this is from The Brave Athlete I've been back on the bike but it's been a struggle - both mentally and physically.  Even though I was running (which I'll get into later), I lost fitness over those months of not training and being off the bike.  I certainly feel it when I climb.  And I notice it while riding with others I used to keep up with. I also lost confidence riding more technical and challenging terrain.  What if I fall and get hurt agai...