I've always been a master of procrastination.  I am usually good at being on time, or finishing something right when it's due, but accomplishing something ahead of time is not my specialty.  So for those people who have already mailed in your registration postcards, thank your for doing this so early in advance.  A local friend of mine dubbed me "Piano Mark" for choosing to set up a postcard entry system (you may know what this is in reference to).  I had a few good laughs over this.  But the truth is, if you direct an event, you borrow a lot of ideas from the the event experiences you've had, and you implement the ones that seem to work the best.  So the postcard system seems to work well, plus it's fun to get a variety of interesting pictures from people.  

     I took a little time last weekend to drive this years course.  During my drive I managed to find a few new roads that are ride worthy and keep people from needing to spend much time on pavement.  It seems like road commissioners do more and more paving each year unfortunately.  I'm pretty excited about some of the hills that will be on this years course.  One of the hills was so steep that it made me worry for the safety of riders going down it.  Oh well, that's what brakes are for.  For those who like a good uphill climb, you'll be glad to know there will be about 800 more feet of climbing this year compared to last year.  There will still be plenty of flatter sections, but for those who think Illinois is only flat, you'll be in for some hilly treats.  

So the new year has arrived, and it seems that winter has finally decided to make an effort to feel like winter. Whenever January 1st comes along I start to do a finger count for how many months it will be until the Grumpy Grind 4 and TransIowa.  The transition between cold weather and "warmer" weather is only about three months away, and two of the events I'll be riding in won't be far behind.

It's during these times, when outdoor rides of any duration are difficult to do, that little bits of self doubts about physical preparation begin to creep in.  I'm not sure what other people do to prepare for these events.  For those who are "racing" endurance events, maybe they are doing the intervals on the trainer.  I do my share of riding the rollers and watching some movies, but the best rides come from getting outside whenever I can. I always wonder just how much training is really necessary for these events.  It's true that physical training is necessary.  It would be darn right foolish not to train.  But how much, and what kind of training is necessary? After a point, most of these long distance events are just a mental test.  Listen to your body, and keep your mental resolve strong and the finish will take care of itself.  

Winter rides, if you can manage them, are actually some of the most peaceful rides one can experience on a bike.  There are even fewer cars on rural roads during  this time of year.  And there is certain bleak beauty that makes you feel very centered.  Riding on snow and ice slows you down and takes away any sense of urgency.  Long distance gravel rides like TransIowa are much the same (but warmer).  If you can get rid of the "race urgency" and slow things down in your mind, the experience of simply riding can fill you with awe.  And then doubt creeps back in and the re-centering process begins again.