I guess I'm racing this summer after all!

[grolby]

This spring was my first road racing season. I raced ECCC collegiate in the D's and C's. Had a blast, got a bunch of top tens and a few top five finishes. But racing was hard, and expensive, and rough on my bike. So I figured that I would hang it up for the rest of the year and save up for a new bike.

Well, a couple of weekends ago I was at a local bike rodeo as a volunteer (gotta do my part for the kids, ya know). A guy from the local club saw me in my UMass kit as I rolled up, asked if I was racing. I said, well, no... and explained. He came back with, hey, we're rebuilding the racing team, carpooling to races should be no problem, and we've got a great reward program. I feebly tried to argue that I couldn't get a kit, since the clothing order had gone out. Nope, we order extras - a jersey and shorts should be no problem.

Before I knew what I was doing, I was agreeing to join the team and do some races this summer.

I'm pretty excited. School has kept me busy since my last race, so I've been on a break for the last couple of weeks. A good thing, too - I was definitely burning out. Now I'm feeling ready to go again. I went out on the local hammerfest ride on Thursday and it felt great. I figure I'm going to start training in earnest again this week. I'll probably start racing the third or fourth weekend of June if I can find some crits. With luck and some hard work, I should be hitting some great form by the end of July, beginning of August. Maybe. I'm itching to find out how I do in USAC Road races! Will I be hot? Will I not? Will I be pack fodder? Stay tuned!

I'll be racing in the 4's. See you Northeast bike weenies out there at the races!

[Everybodylikepi]

Hey greg. It's Cole from Tufts. We chatted at the UVM race. It's good to see that you're getting back into it. I'll be doing 4's the Fitchburg Stage Race July 3-6, which should be a good time. You should definitely turn up the training and join!

[grolby]

Hey greg. It's Cole from Tufts. We chatted at the UVM race. It's good to see that you're getting back into it. I'll be doing 4's the Fitchburg Stage Race July 3-6, which should be a good time. You should definitely turn up the training and join!

I am sorely tempted to show up for Fitchburg, but the chance of my coming up with the $100+ to enter before the 4's fill up is vanishingly small. That, and a four day stage race just as I'm coming back into race shape seems like a questionable notion. But if I can pull it off, I will!

[ridethecliche]

Yay! I'm psyched for you!
I'm still GOING to get in 4 more races this summer so I can race 4's next year.

I exercised for the first time in 3 weeks today, when I went out for a run after telling my mom I was going for a walk. It was only a mile long and my legs hurt when I got back, but it's one of the best feelings I've had since my crash.

Now I just need to wait for 2 more cuts to heal up and then I can start riding the trainer again. I should probably get new hoods, bar tape, and tape up my shoes and saddle over this week so I can ride the trainer. I've never wanted to ride the trainer before, but I honestly can't wait.

Best of luck out there you guys. Kick some butt!

[92degrees]

The Club is working hard to get the 4/5 team going strong this year. I don't think we've been on the same ride yet...I usually do the WNR. I think I see you in the school kit on Rt 9 most days? I work at the school. A few of us are committed to doing Fitchburg this year...try to do it! I'll try to connect with you one of these days...or PM me and I'll send you my email.

[grolby]

Hey! I might just show up on the WNR this week. It doesn't look I have anything else that needs doing. I'll be in the red and silver kit, of course. Anyway, the guy on Rt. 9 is probably a teammate of mine, I seldom ride it unless I'm crossing it on my way south. And as I said, if I can come up with the registration money before 4's close, I'll definitely do Fitchburg.