I've gotten some very solid, very heartfelt advice from many friends. It seems the ups and downs I've been feeling are common. I've decided that one to two weeks off of the structured training (Ex suggested that a week ago) and some easy rides, along with some girls night out time is in order. It's a matter of learning how to cope with this 'all in or nothing' sport we're all in. As I said, the physical is one thing. I undersold the mental toll!

From those of you here who have offered advice and help, I am so grateful. OMG, I wish I could hug you all!

You will be fine Sara. As suggested step back and take a breather. I was frustrated my first real season of racing and even hit some low points. There are short term advances and long term improvements still to be realized.

Tales From The Dark Side - Sara's Aspirations
 

AJ, thank you!

Hmmm. Nice! Thanks, Shovel, I'll look into that.

I'm beginning to believe I've had the same cold now for almost six weeks, it just waxes and wanes - three times, so far. This time around it's gone into my chest, and the coughing fits have been epic - for me, anyway. If I'm going to be off the bike, this is the time to do it.

I nixed the idea of the Regalado RR next weekend. I'm going to do an 80 mile social ride instead, build a little base and spar with my friends. The week after that, I plan to restart the structure.

I've signed up for three races in April, so far. CCCX circuit race April 7th, and then two Sea Otter road events two weeks later. I'm thinking strongly about moving my crit entry to the circuit race the next day. I tried the crit course last Wednesday, and man, right now it's just NOT a suitable course for me. I think I'd do much better on the circuit course. I have to do the road race, because it's there. If it's not a hundred degrees on the day of the race (like last year), I should do relatively well.

It's fun being an "ignorant idiot'! :rolleyes:

Just be careful in the 33.

Yes, I know. I was trying to "promote" that discussion, to get the good responses that actually came later (yours and Aki's being really good). I thought it was a worthwhile topic, and it WAS a question I would have asked. If that makes me an "ignorant idiot", then I'm in good company.

Being called an idiot by some people should be considered a complement.

Don't let the culture scare you away. It just has long history of intolerance of dangerous riding and too many people have been physically hurt by the things these people talk about. Gary is my teammate, and he's one of them. Two very serious crashes in the past few years caused by another riders stupidity. I've raced right next to him enough to know that he most likely wasn't the cause and had no way to avoid them. He's also not one to expound like CDR and me on this kind if stuff. I'm sure it was nothing personal.

It's one of those things. Asking about the limits of acceptability with regard to contact is perfectly sensible. Asking "how do I forcibly remove someone from a wheel he doesn't want to yield?" Not so much.

Exactly.

I don't expect people to be tolerant of inappropriate attitudes, people who don't think things through before posting, etc. But there is no excuse for calling someone an idiot, even if their post is idiotic (not that Sara's was), which is what Botto did. That's what I object to. He does that sort of thing a lot, and it shouldn't be tolerated, no matter how much he has contributed to the board in the past. Gary may be harsh, but he is constructive, while Botto is generally, well, not.

Chasm, I agree, and it was said that the wording the OP used was immature at best (my take). I completely understand that dangerous moves, riding, is NOT in any way shape or form acceptable. I, for one, wanted to see what riders with MANY years of experience in racing would say about close quarters jostling, because even though I've not experienced it, it is bound to happen (intentional or not). I expected SOME fireworks, absolutely, but there are people with something constructive to say there, too, and I was hoping they'd pipe up. I didn't expect a personal attack, but I really don't give a f**k that I received one - those words said more about the poster than they did me. In the long run, the kind of things I was hoping to read DID appear. That made it valuable.

Case closed.

Whew, I thought there was some nuance I was missing.

Heh!

Gary is a good guy, I don't mind plain speaking. The other guy? Well....

Botto might be mad at me for writing this, but he's a pretty good guy under the cynical and abrasive exterior. I'm pretty sure there are people who think I'm a giant ***** as well.

I would be surprised if he wasn't - most people have a lot of value when you get to know them better. And I don't mind cynicism or abrasiveness. But I draw the line at what is essentially immature name-calling. Idiot? Really? Growing up as one of 9 kids in a crowded house, we were on each other all the time, but just calling someone a name was not allowed. You had to at least be creative, and you could not attack who someone was. No saying "you're stupid", but "you don't know the difference between a quasar and a quark" would have been applauded. Most people appreciate the difference between criticizing an act, and attacking a person, and consider the latter to be much more grievous. My mother would roll over in her grave if I behaved as Botto often does, and I would hope his mother would either box his ears if she is still among us, or roll over equally as forcefully, if she is not.

I'd say I have thick skin, but I really don't. However, I do understand constructive criticism as opposed to abuse or just plain disrespect. This is a public forum, and as such I consider that I can be misunderstood and taken to task from time to time for something "weak" I may have written. I also consider that it's not "to my face", and that in fact the person hiding behind the keyboard may well be a kind and considerate sort when I can look them in the eye. But there is track record. When I see a consistent line of disrespect sometimes thinly disguised as "being clever", then it becomes walking like, quacking like, and therefore must be, IMO. I don't have time for that, but it doesn't ruin my day.

However, don't make me get the belt. Or the bar of soap. You WILL be sorry.

:notamused:

;)

Hey, I took the keys, and I deserved to be called an IDIOT. ;)

Don't worry Sara. In another few years, he'll forget all about the "keys incident". :thumb:

I'll probably die of old age first. ;)

The New Phone Book Is Here! The New Phone Book Is Here!

That was the ONLY line that was any good from that movie.

Actually, there is a CAAD 10-3 built up and waiting for me at my local REI. I'll be on the way shortly! I'll report back later...

Excited (or something)!