I spent the majority of the day yesterday on the bike, but not all of it moving!  I was at Little 5 quals taking in the local action, rolling slowly around the tarmac around the track several times, admiring the hundred or so thoroughbreds assembled.  A precursor to my own horse camp I would attend the following day.  I left the track in the middle of the day to meet the Bakehouse ride at noon.  A small group was in attendance as most prior attendees were still at the track or at Hillsborough-Roubaix, an early season road race.  Hans Ibold (Joes), Colin Allen and Kevin Hays (Bakehouse), Fritz Breihaupt, Shane Slavin started.  The entire Cutters team arrived after they qualified, but were doing a west course.  The rest of us left for Mahalasville for a sunny afternoon ride.  

I had a Board meeting downtown today at 3:30.  Rather than driving, I hopped on my old Raleigh that I had transitioned into a serviceable fixie for just this purpose.  I keep it in the office.  It was incredibly cold on this 1 mile commute and I was nearly regretting the decision.

I parked the bike in the rack by the Bakehouse and picked up 2 bags of granola for the second edition of the Wednesday Worlds tonight.  I had 15 minutes to kill so I hung out there for a bit chatting with the staff.  Then I walked over to the Bikesmiths and said hello to Adam Rodkey and Eric.  The Board meeting was uneventful as these things go, and ended just about 5pm.  I was grateful for the timing, checking my watch frequently, as I had to cycle back to the office and dress for the ride. I had the foresight to bring my cycling bag with me and road bike to the office despite the flurries this morning!

I try not to get too philosophical about the bike, but at some point comparing our rides to religious or meditative experiences is not that far from reality or imagination.  Today was the standard ride to the flashers and back.  It’s 46 miles out and back to route 58, add another 8 to the end of the line on route 50, 4 miles there and back.  The wind was pretty hard out of the ENE and snow was forecasted for later in the day.